Planes today scream comfort and luxury. Flying to another location is seen as a relaxing way to travel, one where you can kick back, sleep or watch something in an air-conditioned setting. But did you know
that almost a century ago, travelling by flight was actually something that was seen as uncomfortable? Be it the wicker chairs or the non-pressurised cabins that left many sick, there were plenty of downsides to air travel.
An Instagram account shared photos of planes from the 1920s and 30s, giving a glimpse into how different flying was.
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Expensive And Uncomfortable Aircrafts
In 1914, the first scheduled passenger flight took off. While several airline companies were formed over the next few years, flying was seen as something only the rich could afford. A round-trip from New York to Los Angeles could cost a person $260, which was almost half of what they had to pay if they bought a brand-new car.
But even the high cost proved to be inadequate when it came to ensuring the comfort of the passengers. Planes were not pressurised then, meaning that they had to fly lower. This meant the aircraft were more impacted by the weather and wind, leading to sick passengers. No temperature regulation meant that cabins got very cold. The first stewardess was hired in 1930 by an airline company. Early stewardesses were often trained nurses who could help passengers deal with anxiety and air sickness.
Not just that, flights were so noisy that some people suffered from permanent hearing loss. Many flight attendants had to talk to passengers using megaphones.
In the initial years, many passenger planes were actually leftover warplanes from World War I. Towards the end of the 1930s, more spacious and luxurious flights started to appear, changing the nature of air travel forever.
How Social Media Reacted
Many users were stunned to see how different air travel was. One account wrote, “My god, these people were so brave.”
“How terrifying is the ‘ripping panel’ sign? Especially when you are travelling in a vessel that appears to be made of fish glue and paper,” another added.
Comparing the photos to the facilities provided by budget airlines like easyJet, a user joked, “Don’t show this to @ryanair and @easyjet.”
One account compared the interiors to a “grandma’s living room.”
“Still more legroom than today,” another quipped.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
