Vintage photos show what air travel looked like in every decade

The 1920s saw the first planes designed exclusively for passengers.

Planes during this time usually held fewer than 20 passengers, reached a cruising altitude of 3,000 feet or less, and were slower than traveling by train. During this time, planes were flying at speeds of around 100 mph, had to stop to refuel often, and could only travel by day.

Flying in the 1920s was also an uncomfortable experience for passengers because it was loud and cold, as planes were made of uninsulated sheets of metal that shook loudly in the wind.

Cabins were also completely unpressurized.

Nonetheless, air travel gained in popularity.

In the 1930s, female flight attendants, then called stewardesses, were first introduced to make flying more comfortable. Their roles were similar to current-day flight attendants.

However, the first African-American flight attendant, Ruth Carol Taylor, didn't take to the skies until 1958.

Not only was the service better than in the 1920s, but airplanes themselves had become more comfortable. They were soundproofed, heated, and the seats were upholstered.

The planes could also fly much higher, reaching an altitude of around 20,000 feet, which reduced turbulence and made travel by aircraft a lot faster (around 200 mph).

The first pressurized commercial transport aircraft was introduced in 1938.

Cabins were also roomier, and seating was more creative with couches, reclining chairs, and swiveling seats.

During World War II, planes were being developed for the purpose of war, rather than commercial flight.

According to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, "Few members of minority groups flew before World War II. But as the economy rapidly expanded and the number of minority-owned businesses increased, more people of color began to fly."

These, however, often faced discrimination, as many airports were segregated at the time: air travel remained mostly white.

Once the war ended, the US and Europe were left with a lot of planes, as well as large new airbases with long runways, which they repurposed for commercial flight.

New airports were built closer to Europe's main cities, like today's London Heathrow Airport, which was finished in 1946. Transatlantic flight, such as between New York and London, became a daily occurrence.

Despite being known as the golden age of air travel, flying in the '50s was not cheap. In fact, a roundtrip flight from Chicago to Phoenix could cost today's equivalent of $1,168 when adjusted for inflation. A one-way flight to Europe could cost more than $3,000 in today's dollars.

Passengers got what they paid for, though. Flying was extremely glamorous: people dressed up, booze was served in fancy glassware, and meals consisted of dishes like roast beef, lobster, and prime rib.

However, while plane cabins were mostly integrated, some US airports were segregated until as late as 1963, Air & Space Magazine reports, despite desegregation efforts having begun in 1948.

Flying became more and more common in the 1960s. Passengers didn't dress up as much as before, though they typically dressed up more than passengers do today.

Passengers flying in the 1960s could also fly without any form of ID. That meant that they could just show up at the airport half an hour before departure and walk straight up to the gate.

Even loved ones could walk all the way to the gate without a ticket to send people on their way.

While a couple of exceptions exist, such as the aforementioned flight attendant Ruth Carol Taylor, African Americans were not allowed to work on planes in any capacity until the 1960s, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Marlon D. Green became the first commercial African-American pilot in 1965, paving the way for others.

Security screenings didn't become mandatory until 1973, and even those were pretty relaxed compared to the airport security we go through today.

The "Jumbo Jet" opened up the skies for millions of travelers who previously couldn't afford it in 1970. Airlines, now able to fly large amounts of passengers, could now sell tickets at a more reasonable price.

Still, there was plenty of legroom and flight attendants catering to passengers' every need.

From 1970 to around 1974, American Airlines even featured a piano lounge in the rear of their 747s, while Pan Am's 707 Clipper was advertised as being "vibration-free."

Flying saw some fun arrangements in the '80s.

Continental Airlines (now United Airlines) even tested out a "Pub" configuration complete with a bar stocked with alcohol and circular tables surrounded by swivel chairs.

Passengers could also make a visit to the cockpit during the flight where children were given a commemorative wing pin to remember the experience.

Air travel in the '90s meant that all passengers of age, economy class included, could indulge in free liquor on international and domestic flights.

Inflight meals, though not the tastiest, were also free, seats were outfitted with phones, and inflight entertainment was in its nascent stages.

After 9/11 in 2001, air travel changed drastically.

Before 9/11, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) didn't even exist. Travelers could go through security with items including liquids, small pocket knives, and wearing bulky jackets. Passengers could also keep their shoes on.

All that changed after 9/11 and airport security became much stricter, cockpit doors were reinforced and locked, and only ticketed travelers were allowed at airline gate areas.

From private touchscreen TVs to USB chargers in every seat, plane passengers wanted to have all the modern amenities they are used to having on the ground.

However, air travel also began to mean grappling with extra fees for everything from carry-ons to seat assignments, and free meals are a rarity.

Much has changed in air travel in 2020.

Amid the global coronavirus pandemic, airlines had to make significant changes in order to make passengers feel safe and to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Many airlines blocked middle seats in order to ensure social distancing, though most stopped around December 2020.

Several airlines also stopped serving food and drinks on flights or now serve them in little plastic baggies dispensed upon boarding.

Currently, all domestic airlines require passengers to wear masks.

While the number of air travelers has increased slightly since the start of the pandemic, the TSA saw a 96% decrease in people passing through their checkpoints in April, recording some of the lowest passenger numbers of the past decade.

• Read more:
• From longer waits to blood tests, here are 18 ways flying could change
• Cheaper flights and flexible cancellation fees might be here for a while. Here's what air travel may look after the pandemic.
• Vintage photos show how glamorous flying used to be
• 11 ways 2020 changed flying for better and for worse