When Airplanes Were Like a 'Luxurious, High-Speed Bus'

Many people will be flying over the next two weekends, in hopes of squeezing the last goodness out of summer. That will require trudging through airports and cramming into winged tin cans. As you settle into an uncomfortable chair with a $6 bagel to wait for a plane that’s three hours late, think of this British Movietone newsreel from the early days of air travel.

The announcer cheerfully takes us to an international air travel fair at Biggin Hill, in the U.K. “The purpose behind it is to sew the idea of air travel to those who’ve ever flown before, either because they think it’s too expensive or too dangerous.”

“Visitors were invited to come aboard and see for themselves that the modern airliner is really just a luxurious, high-speed bus.” Truly a more innocent time.