Flying In Style: The Glamorous History Of Air Travel

Smoking on Planes

Smoking was legal on planes with some bans taking place in the 1980s and subsequently a full ban by the 1990s. Many people recall flying on a plane and exiting completely covered with and smelling like smoke. You would think smoking on a flight would be extremely dangerous, but then again it also used to be legal for people to smoke in hospitals near oxygen tanks.

Interestingly, Ralph Nader was among the first to call for a smoking ban. In 2015, officials also had to ban electronic cigarettes from flights and even carrying on board as the batteries have often been known to explode which is the last thing you would want to happen while flying.

Boozy Flights

Flights in the golden age of the airlines were considered a thing of luxury. For many people, taking part in drinking is part of the luxury lifestyle. Some planes were even equipped with fully stocked bars! American Airlines even had a piano bar so people could listen to live music while drinking their favorite cocktail or other alcoholic beverage.

Another thing: the alcohol was often free for passengers. While much of the luxury has changed for the everyday flier, drinking alcohol is still a common activity onboard planes, although not a free one. It is definitely not recommended to drink too much as that will definitely get you booted from an airline (and a big hangover).