10 Reasons Why Flying In The Jet Age Was Better Than Today

For most, flying wasn't an everyday occurrence, it was an "event." The expectation was that you would wear your "Sunday's best" onto the flight. Anyone who had strolled onto an airplane in the 1960's or early 1970's in a sweatsuit, or ragged jeans and a tee shirt, would have caused a major buzz among the passengers.

Flight attendants would wait on you hand and foot, and you didn't have to sit in first class to get an excellent meal. All drinks were also free.

In the late 60s and early ‘70s great strides were made in commercial airplane engine technology. GE finally had a basis for building a reputation within the commercial airline market, and in the early 1970’s, Boeing offered the CF6 as an option for the 747.

Since there was minimal concern about security, many airports allowed you to stroll outside and watch the airplanes come and go.

We all know what a hassle it is to get through airport security, but that wasn't always the case. Prior to the 1970's, you were able to buy your ticket without showing identification, walk unsupervised across to the tarmac, and then casually climb up the stairs and board the plane.

No matter how short the flight. Since there was no price competition, the airlines were competing based on service, and stewardesses would hustle to serve everyone on a quick trip.

You didn't have to fly first class to get the very best in food. Check out one of the menus from a Pan Am charter flight in the 1960s, which included a meal of filet mignon, soup, potatoes, rum cake and coffee!

There were insurance dispensers all over the airports, and it was a pretty simple process. You would fill out a form, insert coins, and out would come an insurance policy. You would then drop into a nearby mailbox and send to your family in a convenient prepaid envelope. If your flight crashed and you died, your family got some money.

Since they weren't able set their own fares and the industry was heavily regulated, airlines resorted to attracting passengers, especially businessmen, with luxurious food, drink, and movie amenities.

In the early late '60s/ early '70s, in order to promote travel to South America, Braniff Airlines hired American artist Alexander Calder to create a flying work of art.