Flying In Style: The Glamorous History Of Air Travel

Mile-High Racism

During the golden age of aviation, racism was also an issue. As down on the ground below, segregation and general racism were the law of the land, it was also the same in the air. People of color were typically only in service positions if at all – not including stewardesses, who were typically only white.

According to Guillame de Syon, a professor of aviation history, “If you saw a black person at an airport during the Golden Age of Flying, they were almost definitely a porter, not a passenger.” This is something that has changed tremendously although some might say fights are still being affected by racism and xenophobia particularly with Trump’s recent ban on immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries which has effected even green card holders. Many people have been outraged by the policy and protests are taking place at airports across the country.

Celebrity Flights

Celebrities were of course known for taking luxury flights and that has not changed except now they own them. For instance, Donald Trump owns a $100 million luxury jet, and more than likely the Air Force One doesn’t match up to the luxury he was previously accustomed.

Many musicians have also died in various airplane crashes including Otis Redding whose plane went down in 1967 due to bad weather, country singer Patsy Cline’s plane crashed in 1963, and of course the famous plane crash in 1959 that killed Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens due to a snow storm. Crashes of any kind are much more seldom in this day and age due to the better technology and safety systems we now have.