The History of Airline Cabin Evolution – 1920s to 1950s

The History of Airline Cabin Evolution – 1920s to 1950s

In the early days of commercial passenger flights, the airline cabin wasn't the comfortable experience it is today. Although scheduled passenger flights had been available since 1910, these were often short basic services that allowed fast travel between major cities and airports. Therefore, development was slow. The public were initially scared to fly and the frequent turbulence from these early commercial planes made airsickness very common.

1920s

When the First World War ended and the Air Commerce Act of 1925 was initiated, airlines began to use significantly improved planes to perform regular scheduled passenger flights, allowing the public to fly for the first time. In the same year, the silent film 'The Lost World' was shown to passengers on a Imperial Airways flight between London (from Croydon airport) and Paris, becoming the first British in-flight film (pictured). It wasn't until later in the decade those airlines began to employ male flight attendants to make flights more enjoyable. Along with serving drinks and reassuring passengers, these early flight attendants also provided new tickets when a flight was unfortunately cancelled or delayed.

1930s

In 1938, Boeing revealed the 307 Stratoliner, claimed to have the most elegant and advanced cabin of its' time. The Stratoliner was the first commercial aircraft with a pressurised, acclimatised cabin which provided air conditioning and heating throughout flights. Passengers had their very own compartments, sleeping berths and windows with a dedicated lounge located further along the cabin.

Flying boats, previously used during the war, were quickly adapted and used for commercial flights. The impressive Boeing 314 Clipper, introduced later in the decade in 1939, was described as a flying luxury hotel with full-sized dining rooms available for passengers (pictured). These models also had a honeymoon suite available, with a bar, full-service galley, passenger compartments with plush chairs, sleeping berths and vanity rooms.

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1940s

Although the Second World War had slowed commercial flights to a halt, the airplane cabin was evolved yet again with new technological advances. In 1940, the American airline TWA were the first airline to provide commercial broadcast radio programmes to their passengers in-flight. The radio receivers were built into the pillow headrests with radio controls built in to the arm rests. Later, in 1947, Boeing announced its 337 Stratocruiser, the refined and elegant successor to the 1938 Stratoliner (pictured). The first of its kind, the Stratocruiser was a double-decked airplane that included a cocktail lounge and snack bar on its lower deck. Seven course meals were also available from a fully-equipped galley in the back of the plane.

1950s

At this time, air travel was more popular than ever. BOAC even offered portable hammock cots for babies. Called 'sky cots', these odd creations hung just above the passenger seat attached to the luggage rack in the cabin.