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How we used to fly: Luxury on board the Boeing 314 Flying Boat
Flying nowadays means being packed together in seats with barely enough legroom to stretch - but it wasn't always like that. Back in the early days of aviation, flying meant putting on your good suit, and enjoying fine dining in a luxurious lounge before spending the night in your private sleeping accomodations.
Sure, the trip took considerably longer than it does nowadays, but with this kind of luxury, there was no real desire to get anywhere quick.
The photo you see above is from the dining room of the Boeing 314 Clipper, which flew up to 74 passengers from the U.S. to Hawaii and China "in a matter of days". The plane flew during the 1930's and 40's before being replaced by even larger planes.
After dinner, guests could enjoy board games in the main lounge, or retreat to their private cabin. The pinnacle of luxury was in the rear of the aircraft, where you'd find the De Luxe Honeymoon compartment.
This is just one of many photos collected by Airshowbuzz.com. Other photos in their collection show the cabin crew and the spacious cockpit - definitely worth checking out!
Filed under: North America
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dino Summer Feb 16th 2011 3:04PM
I guess everything sadly has changed over the years. People won't even care to get together for meals since everyone is playing theirs electronic devices to avoid real conversation with other people. A lot of travelers these days wear such of ugly clothing that they look like they are going to do their laundry instead of going somewhere nice !
Koz Feb 16th 2011 3:48PM
Hey I am one of those that wish to be comfortable for both the sardine can seating and the TSA frisking, so I wear loose comfortable clothing and sandels.
blaz Feb 16th 2011 5:36PM
heh heh... Corny people.
dc walker Feb 16th 2011 6:49PM
...there is a flight to Australia complete with private room and shower...very costly, from Singapore.
dc walker Feb 16th 2011 6:52PM
In the 60s you just walked into the airport looked at the screens and walked directly to your gate. At the gate you paid the lady she gave you a ticket for your luggage and your receipt and you boarded. Every hour on the hour there was a shuttle from DC to Boston, if it was full you just waited for it to pull out and get on the next one. No lines, no baggage weighing, no security, no nothing. We let the rest of the world into our world and now we have to put up with them.
Dennis Feb 17th 2011 8:34AM
Remember please tho-
Back then ONLY the wealthy folks flew in this so called 'Luxury', NOT the 'Hoi Polloi' rest of us poor schnooks of that time!
No comparison at all to today's world- where most everyone- even poverty level citizens, at least here in USA- can afford to at least fly once in a while, even if it is only 'Coach'! :)