Flying In Style: The Glamorous History Of Air Travel

Design on Planes

Since the existence of planes, they have often been decorated with various symbols and decals. However, the ’60s and ’70s took it to a whole different level and planes were created into pieces of artwork. Various airlines actually had their airplanes decorated by various artists.

For example, artist Alexander Calder was commissioned by Braniff airlines to create a work of art that was applied to a plane in the early 1970s. Calder has said that he first had to try it on model airplanes to see if it work on an actual size jet. The paint had to be specially made to withstand all of the conditions of flying including speed and altitude.

Interior Design in Planes

The planes of yesteryear were very luxurious compared to today’s passenger planes (with the exception of luxury jets of course). Planes were often two decks, with economy seating on the bottom and first class on the top complete with a winding staircase.

They were outfitted with bars and lounges which included couches and swivel chairs to perch on while you sipped a martini or other beverage of your choice. Planes also often had cabins which were complete with beds to stretch out in, can you imagine boarding a plane today and having all the leg room you could ever want or need?