Vintage Flight Attendant Uniforms
Welcome Aboard the Height of Fashion
Remember the good old days of air travel when you could waltz right up to your gate without a TSA pat-down? When plane cabins filled with cigarette smoke? And during your flight, you were actually served a meal, not just a plastic cup of water and a tiny bag of pretzels? Though be it the meal wasn’t edible, but it was food!
If you’re under the age of 30, you most likely don’t recall. And you surely don’t remember the snappy and mod, and now vintage, flight attendant uniforms worn by the flight crews. (Oh, sorry, they were referred to as stewardesses or air hostesses).
Alrighty then! Join us on this glorious trip back in time to the height of fashion and aviation of the likes we may never see in air travel again. We particularly like the chic and glam flight attendant uniforms from the 60s and 70s from now-defunct airlines like Pacific Southwest Airlines. Enjoy!
Pacific Southwest Airlines – 1960s.
With the advertising slogan, “The World’s Friendliest Airline,” PSA operated from 1949 to 1988 and was the country’s first large discount carrier.
Court Line Aviation – 1973
These sharp uniforms for the popular British holiday carrier were designed by fashion icon Mary Quant, the originator of the miniskirt.
American Airlines – mid-1970s
Braniff International – 1965
From 1965 to 1974, Italian designer Emilio Pucci created six collections for air hostesses, pilots and ground crew, including these, which may have later inspired costumes for Cirque du Soleil.
The Bubble Helmet – Braniff-1965
Also designed by Pucci, the futuristic Bubble Helmet was used to protect a stewardess from a sudden Ebola outbreak at 20,000 feet.
Hughes Airwest – 1970s
Caped Crusaders or just ready for rain? American artist and designer Mario Armond Zamparelli was contracted by Howard Hughes to create flight attendant uniforms for his airline.
Southwest Airlines – 1970s
Laced leather boots and hot pants. Nothing prudish in these here friendly skies.
Continental Airlines – 1970s
The higher the hair, the higher you fly.
Lufthansa – 1970s
Pacific Southwest Airlines – 1960s
United Airlines – 1968
Though short-lived, this bright red uniform was one of the bolder statements from United. The oversized hat was rumored to cause severe neck damage.
United Airlines – 1939
Pacific Southwest – 1960s
Back in the days when you had to worry about something more than birds getting sucked into the jet engine.
Pan Am – 1969
Stewardesses getting hammered on white wine following flight attendant school graduation.
Airline Unknown – circa 1945
Stewards serving first-class passengers.
Ansett (Australia Airlines) – 1969
Few know that Queen Elizabeth (pictured far right) once worked as an airline hostess.
United Airlines – 1970s
TWA – 1968
Air hostess at JFK modeling their stylish new uniforms featuring stylish scarves, berets, and striped tops.
Airline Unknown – 1980s
What you’d wear to a sorority luau at an Ivy League school.
Airline Unknown – 1950s
Pacific Southwest – 1960s
More from that funky fun bunch at PSA!
Air France – 1969
The French flag carrier hired the late, great Cristobal Balenciaga to design these stylish uniforms. He had a reputation as a couturier of uncompromising standards and was referred to as “the master of us all.”
Pan Am – 1970s
With their A-line skirts, these glamorous air hostesses stood out in airports around the world. They also stood in as extras in the movie A Clockwork Orange.
You Guessed It – 1970s
Airline Unknown – 1950s
Stewardesses posing on the bar in the passenger lounge aboard a Lockheed Constellation.
Trans-Canada Air Lines – 1960s
Airline Unknown – 1970s
Oh, my! Guess what we caught Timmy doing underneath his blanket!
TWA Brochure Cover – 1970s
Enjoy the trip!
Check out this saucy 1970s travel trailer brochure, too!
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