'The History of 20th Century Commercial Air Travel' Webinar

Thanks to the aviation advancements made during the First World War, commercial air travel was becoming ever more commonplace by the 1930s — at least for the wealthy. And by the 1950s, more people were traveling by air than by train or ocean liner. How did the airline industry transform from a dangerous and bumpy experience geared for an ultra high-class clientele to a fast, convenient, and affordable mode of transportation? From the “Golden Age of Flight” of the 1930s, to the “Jet Age” beginning in the 1950s, it's time to uncover the evolution of commercial air travel over the past century.

Join New York Adventure Club as we explore the history of commercial air travel throughout the 20th century, from the world’s first scheduled passenger service in 1914 to the rise of the budget air lines by the 1990s.

Led by historian Lucy Jane Santos, our virtual experience surrounding commercial air travel will include:

• How the need for fast and reliable postal services helped to establish a new transportation system
• A close look at the ways early air companies developed services and facilities for their elite passengers, including plush surroundings, food service, wood-paneled interiors, and even inflight movies
• The growth of the role of flight attendants from the original ‘cabin boys’ to the rise of the female flight attendant
• The luxury of airplanes during the "Jet Age" and which airlines offered the best selection of champagne, caviar, and seat service
• A discussion of the largest commercial airplane manufacturers like Boeing to Airbus, and how a successful passenger jet model could make or break a company
• Notable aircrafts in commercial aviation history, including the Havilland DH 106 Comet (the world’s first commercial jet airliner), Boeing 707 (the world's first widespread aircraft), and the Boeing 747 (the world's first wide-body passenger aircraft)
• A discussion on the Concorde project and how it was predicted this supersonic airline would revolution commercial aviation in the late 1960s
• The development of no frills services like Laker Airways — and (later) Ryanair and Easyjet — and how these put pressure on the traditional carriers to make flights ever more affordable

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A session with Lucy — any and all questions about the history of commercial air travel are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually!

*Once registered, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser — Google Chrome is the most compatible. Exact technical requirements and a webinar user guide will be shared in the automated confirmation email upon registration.

***A full replay will be available after the experience for all registered guests

About Lucy

Lucy Jane Santos is an expert in the history of 20th century leisure, health, and beauty.

After completing a BA in Egyptian Archaeology and a MA in Arts and Heritage Management Lucy worked for several private members clubs and societies in London including The Arts Club, the Authors’ Club, and the International Wine and Food Society.

She has been a judge for the Historical Writers’ Association Non-Fiction Crown, the recipient of the Stephen Joseph Research Award and was the Non-Fiction Writer In Residence for the Stay-at-Home! International Literature Festival (2020). She is a founder of the Art Deco Society UK and co-founder of the Cosmetic History and Makeup Studies Network.

Half Lives: The Unlikely History of Radium is Lucy’s debut book and was shortlisted for the 2021 BSHS Hughes Prize, for books that bring scholarship to new readers by capturing the public imagination while conforming to the rigorous standards of academic research. Her next book, which is a history of the element uranium, will be published in 2024.

Lucy also works as a freelance historical researcher and consultant.

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Categories: Virtual, Moments in History