The Golden Age of Flying. Gone... or hidden?

Is the Golden Age of Flying gone and never to be seen again, or are we missing what is before our very eyes? Let’s take a small peek into what has gone into the archives of the distant past and what air travel has to offer today. 

Gone are the days of Pan American World Airways (Pan-Am) and Trans World Airlines (TWA).  Gone are the moguls of Juan Trippe and Howard Hughes.  Or are they really? 

Pan Am, for example,  was the largest international air carrier in 1927 and people were excited at the thought of finally being able to travel to foreign lands in their ‘clipper’ airplanes in a fraction of the time it would normally take cruise ships to reach their destination.  People would dress up in their best clothes for the occasion and be amazed that they could take to the skies in the standards of comfort of the period.  They could finally fly to warmer climes like Florida, or Havana, Cuba and even further afield.  They would receive a modest sized meal and beverages while on board, served by ladies who were glamorous to the point of resembling Hollywood movie stars.   The air hostesses, now named flight attendants, were there to serve you and to treat you as royalty.  You, the passenger, were the reason they existed and they wanted to provide you complete satisfaction.

Alternately, the airline pilot would walk through the airport and his presence alone would demand the greatest respect by all.  This was the person who could maneuver the ‘winged beast’ in the air and lead you to your destination in perfect safety faced with any situation.  Men would gaze upon them in admiration, children in awe, and ladies would often swoon at the mere sight of these Gladiators of the skies.  Sound a little too rosey?  Perhaps!  However, that was the general perception and contributed towards the era known as the ‘Golden Age of Flying’.

Today the rose tinted eyeglasses are almost extinct and generally we don’t necessarily appreciate what we have before us.  The hustle and bustle of everyday life has become so fast and furious, and so filled with technology.  The term work life balance is often discussed but rarely achieved as we fill up on caffeine and energy drinks just to make it through another day at work; hopefully with success.  You may think this sounds overly negative but it can be a reality depending upon your priorities. We live in a highly technological age and as a result we rely on smart phones, computers/tablets to interact in business as well as socially.  Sometimes these can be inseparable using the same tools for work and for personal life. We even use these to make financial transactions all with a click of a button or a swipe of the finger. 

Is this a bad thing?  You can decide.  Nevertheless I think we can all relate to some of this.  With that in mind I want to take a moment now and look at airline travel today. 

Thanks to the current day mogul, in the form of mega airline corporations, the bar has been raised.  First you purchase your flight online with a swipe of your finger on your favorite internet device and then receive your e-ticket number without the need to leave your armchair.  You can even check in before going to the airport, let alone the gate!  Your airport now provides wireless connectivity for your business transactions or social media.  Within the airport you have a vast array of gourmet restaurants for you to salivate over while keeping track of your flight details with various overhead monitors or through your favorite travel app on your smartphone.  The security, despite the recent controversy, screens to ensure passenger safety as you board.  Your baggage is delivered by computerized systems to the correct gate providing greater accuracy.  All of this is before you get on the airplane!

Now let’s review the airplane.  As you board you are welcomed by trained flight attendants whose role has changed greatly over the years.  They do still serve you and provide great passenger experience, however greater emphasis has been placed on training with regard to public safety, and the need to learn more complex aircraft systems, potentially saving your life.  As for the glamor and people dressing up for the occasion as in days gone by, well, we are all glamorous. The high profile that fashion plays in our daily lives, such as the designer labels, elegant hairstyles, and exotic perfumes are all part of our city work life and we take these so much for granted. 

Now we have boarded the airplane; a marvel of modern accomplishment.  Seats that recline and provide comfort for a long haul flight with built in electronics for media or internet.  Phones that enable card payments. Your own personal TV screen and a selection of various media to choose from.   In addition to that some airlines are now having wi-fi installed to complete the passenger experience allowing you to continue your daily tasks or connection while you travel.  Throughout the flight hot food is served, even after several hours of flying, having been specially prepared by gourmet chefs before boarding.

The airplanes themselves are continuing to have major breakthroughs in advancement such as Boeing’s new Dreamliner 787 made from carbon composite materials; GEnx engines with composite fan blades and fan cases, and avionics reaching new frontiers.  Designer linens and fabrics decorate the cabin to provide a soothing journey and color selectable lighting is provided to facilitate relaxation.

Finally I want to mention the flight crew such as the Captain and co-pilot.  Yes, the airplanes can do so much more automatically than they could in former days, but the skill of the pilot is still required if not more so than before.  Understanding of the complex systems aboard the aircraft is essential should anything malfunction.  The computerized systems cannot predict what to do in heavy crosswinds while trying to take off or land the airplane.  In my mind these ladies and gentlemen still deserve the greatest respect as they safely transport hundreds of passengers at a time to their destination compared to the tens of passengers in the mid 20^th century.

Next time you fly take a moment to look around you and see the real efforts that the airports, flight safety administration, aircraft manufacturers, airline companies, food services, and the entire flight crew are doing just to take you to your destination of choice.  You may be surprised.

As for my original question, is the Golden Age of Flying gone?  I say it’s clearly still here but they raised it to 24 karat gold!