Air Travel in the 1980’s
AIR TRAVEL IN THE 80's - WHAT A DIFFERENCE 40 YEARS MAKES!
By Wendy Stanton
I am sure that I am not alone in thinking that air travel is not that much fun anymore. Many things have changed over the years, some good - some not so good. Take a look back at how technology has changed, how we book travel and how security has now become TSA and the Department of Homeland Security.
Lets see how many of these changes you can relate to.
BOOKING A FLIGHT - Back in the 1980s before the Internet was popular, booking your plane ticket was a proper ordeal. Booking a flight involved speaking to actual people. You’d have to head to the airport to make your reservation, or call the airline or a travel agent. Since reservation systems were not fully automated yet the person at the other end of the line would shuffle off to find the right file to check availability and price. Comparing prices meant making several other phone calls, and after coming to a decision you’d embark on another fun waiting game- having your ticket mailed to you. There was no e-ticket available to print at home; you either drove to pick it up or had it delivered by the postal system (and let’s not even think about what would happen if it got lost).
SECURITY - Every 21st century flight itinerary recommends passengers reach the airport three hours beforehand, a time window that’d be entirely ridiculous when flying in the 80s. Depending upon your departure airport, you could show up half an hour prior to departure and probably still make your flight. Full body scans weren’t a thing and neither were liquid restrictions. If you wanted to carry half a liter of shampoo on board, well, that was your prerogative. Remember when you could actually go to the gate and greet your loved ones? How about those hugs that took place as you watched your family member or friend board the aircraft? Today I am drop kicked out the car door at the airport and really lucky if someone meets me in baggage claim.
BAGGAGE - Baggage fees are the curse of today’s traveler's existence. These days it seems that if you go over the regulated baggage weight you’ll be charged pretty much half of what your flight cost you to begin with. Carry-on is even more restricted with their size limits. For those who struggle to pack light, flying in the 80s would be paradise. You were rarely ever charged for extra luggage and could easily bring several bags on the plane.
FOOD - Yep you actually were served REAL food on REAL plates with REAL silverware on domestic flights in coach class. I am not saying that the food was wonderful, but nevertheless, it was not a bag of peanuts or pretzels. Still, no matter how unidentifiable the protein source of 80s in-flight meals was, it would still be included in the ticket price!
IN FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - Imagine flying coast to coast without an iPhone, iPad or television screen embedded in the seat in front of you. If you were a kid, it wasn’t all that bad. You’d get a fun pouch filled with playing cards, a jigsaw puzzle and coloring pencils. Adults, on the other hand, were forced to read magazines or watch a movie on one screen at the front of the plane that they’d have to crane their necks to see. The volume was kept to a minimum so the better part of the flight would be spent trying to lip read.
SMOKING - The 80s was the last decade where people could light up a cigarette on a flight. Planes had designated smoking sections, and of course the smoke would never really stay within its parameters. Smoking on board flights was first banned in the US in 1988, and the rest of the airlines of the world soon followed suit. I remember this well as a child. I was forced to smoke without even lighting up.
FASHION - Back in the day there were perks like bottomless baggage allowance and noticeably more legroom, however, one thing worth noting about flying in the 80s is people spent more on their flying wardrobe. Taking to the skies was a social affair and people dressed well. It wasn’t necessary to go as far as your Sunday best, but let’s just say you wouldn’t be caught dead in sweatpants. I remember my parents taking me shopping to buy a new outfit for our trip to Disney on Eastern Airlines. It was not uncommon to see woman wearing hats and gloves. Good manners when traveling also seem to be a thing of the past. Pushing and shoving to get to the same place at the same time was not a thing of the past.
I hope you enjoyed this short stroll down memory lane! Happy Travels!