The Golden Age of Air Travel (Shire Library)

Air travel has always held a strong allure for many. Today, low-cost, no-frill airlines enable lots of people to fly easily and to visit different countries around the world. For much of its history, however, air travel was only available to the wealthy. This book explores the golden age of air travel from the 1930s to the 1970s when flying was the epitome of status, and the airlines offered a sumptuous service with the journey being all important. The dramatic changes in the quality of air travel are highlighted, as are the different types of aircraft employed by the air travel companies, including airships, jetliners and Concorde. The emphasis, however, is on conveying to the reader what it was like to be a passenger on board these commercial flights as well as the experience of those serving with the airlines.

Nina Hadaway has been Curator of Documents at the Royal Air Force Museum since 2003. She has produced a number of exhibitions and gives talks to visitors, society groups and historical organizations. Her work has also been published in the RAF Historical Society journal.