12 Photos That Make Us Miss the Golden Age of Flying

By Jordi Lippe and Jordi Lippe-McGraw
May 10, 2016
Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway
With so many complaints about airlines today from baggage fees to limited in-flight service, it seems nearly impossible to imagine a time where flying was luxurious. But in honor of Scandinavian Airlines’ 70th anniversary, the company has released select images showing off the Golden Age of plane travel.

Taken in the 1950s through 1980s, these photos reveal the lengths they would go to provide a fine dining experience—a far cry from the microwave meals we have today. The pictures show smiling guests as they are greeted by flight attendants who are carting everything from caviar and lobster to a whole leg of carved ham.

The cabin crew is seen using real knives, clearly a sign that these flights were before the days of constant security threats. And there would even be a chef in formal garb, down to the toques, preparing a seafood platter for the passengers.

Other features of this nostalgic time included the use of porcelain teacups, and guests were offered a wide variety of drinks including beer, wine, and champagne to complement their trips. In addition, many of these photos were taken before there were different classes on the airplanes, so everyone got the royal treatment.

Menu items (yes they had menus) at that time featured things like consommé, roast chicken, crepes with mushrooms and bacon, and Bavarian cream with rum.

More images are set to be released closer to the anniversary, but take a look through these incredible images of the Golden Age of flying in the meantime. 
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A Typical Meal

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Meals of the Golden Age barely resemble today's food service.

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Top-Notch Service

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

While cabin crews today are quite lovely, these flight attendants were tasked with creating a luxurious experience for every passenger.

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Onboard Sommelier

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Not only did you get your choice of beverage, but there was an in-flight sommelier to make sure you chose the best wine, too.

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Waiter Service

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Passengers were served by waiters in white coats like in any high-end restaurant.

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Entering the Modern Era

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

By the 1980s economy class had been established and resembled what we might find today—though there are still pretty hefty portions on those plates.

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In-Flight Delicacies 

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Caviar was just one of the many things offered on flights in the 1980s.

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Fresh Fruit

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Passengers had their choice of fresh fruits to munch on.

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Complimentary Perks

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Champagne was a given when it came to beverage service.

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Seafood Cart

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

A seafood platter including whole lobster was rolled through the cabin.

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Chef Service

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

An actual chef would be on board to prep your meal during the Golden Age.

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Luxurious Economy

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

A typical economy meal in the 1970s would feature prawns and smoked salmon.

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Dressed to Fly

Credit: © SAS Museum/Courtesy of The SAS Museum Oslo airport Norway

Not a time for sweatpants or pjamas, the folks traveling in the Golden Age would get dressed for their flight.

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By Jordi Lippe and Jordi Lippe-McGraw