15 Airline Amenities From the 'Golden Age' of Flying That We Want Back

Flights keep getting more expensive, and the number of perks keeps dropping. These days, you can’t even get a free meal like you could just a few years ago. Here are a few throwback fringe benefits we wish airlines would bring back.

While first-classers still reap this reward, at one time, everyone was plied with alcohol on short and long flights. Probably to put us all to sleep so we wouldn’t bother the flight staff! Now we’ve got to pay for a tiny bottle of wine. Life isn’t fair… 

At one point, you could board a plane with your overstuffed carry-on bags and no one would blink an eye. Sure, you might spend 10 minutes trying to shove them into the overhead, but who cared? Now nearly every flight tags larger carry-on bags, since planes and overhead compartments are shrinking and more people are traveling. 

Pan Am, the leader in luxury in the skies, used to serve meals on actual designer plates. And they used real glasses and silverware too! This wasn’t just in first class, friends. Economy travelers got this first-class treatment as well. And meals were hand-delivered by flight attendants, not passed out of a cart filled with plastic-wrapped frozen meals. 

And speaking of Pan Am meals, they also served food based on the destination. Flying to Hawaii? You might be served shredded pork and other local delicacies. None of this prepackaged pasta nonsense we’re served today.

Until the 2000s, you could travel from New York to London in under three hours. Yes, traveling at twice the speed of sound on the Concorde was one of the best perks, for those who could afford the ticket, which cost from $12,000 to $20,000. 

The next time you’re grumbling about your knees butting against the seat in front of you, ponder this: in the 1950s, seats had 3 to 6 inches more legroom than today. The legroom space between seats at one time was 35 inches, and now it’s as tight as 28 inches on some budget airlines. 

Back in the day, every flight, long or short, came with free checked bags. Now even flying two hours requires you to check a bag. Makes you want to fit everything in that carry-on, doesn’t it? 

Most of us remember the pre-9/11 days when there was no half-hour security line and stress to get to your flight on time. You could arrive minutes before departure and slide right up to the gate without issue. And your friends and family could see you off right at the gate. 

Let’s go back to talking about in-flight meals. Not only were they served on real plates, but they also served real food. Even economy class got to experience gourmet meals like steak and lobster.  

One of the features of the Boeing 747 was that it had two levels. Ample room to have a first-class bar upstairs and live music in coach downstairs. Some airlines today still have bars, including Qatar and Emirates, but we’re voting for all planes to bring them back.

We’re not talking about the lie-flat seats that current airlines offer. We’re talking berths like you’ll find on a train. With real sheets and pillows, and space enough to stretch out. Imagine how well-rested you’d be after a trans-Atlantic flight! 

“Hi Mom! You’ll never guess where I am!” 

Once upon a time, you could make phone calls from an in-flight phone from your seat. This technology has been phased out, thanks to cell phones. Which, of course, you’re not allowed to use on a flight! 

You might get excited about the socks and pens that come in today’s amenity kits in first class, but once upon a time, travelers received luxury perfume, travel candles, silk scarves, and luxury watches! Well worth the price of admission! 

If you’ve traveled overseas, you know how funky you feel (and smell) after traveling all day. Imagine being able to take a shower before landing at your destination! Of course, airlines today (besides Emirates, which offers showers) have abandoned this luxury in the name of saving money. It’s a shame. 

At one time, everyone on a plane was dressed to the nines. It was an occasion, an event. Women wore their best dresses and maybe a hat. Men flew in suits and ties. Today, you see yoga pants and Uggs. We dress for comfort. Maybe that’s what’s wrong with the world. We need to treat traveling like the privilege it is! 

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