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As the 747 Begins Its Final Approach, a Pilot Takes a Flight Down Memory Lane

nytimes.com

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Re: As the 747 Begins Its Final Approach, a Pilot Takes a Flight Down Memory Lane

#5
post #3

Would you just look at the padding and space between those seats. I miss that far more than the plane model.

Yes and it says "First-class meal service on a Pan Am 747 in the mid-70s" :)

True, but airlines have absolutely made coach seats smaller and closer together over the years. And we're fatter on average than back then.

Re: As the 747 Begins Its Final Approach, a Pilot Takes a Flight Down Memory Lane

#7
post #4

Would you just look at the padding and space between those seats. I miss that far more than the plane model.

How much was the airfare (in inflation adjusted dollars) back then?

Previous HN discussion related to that: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15041403

Re: As the 747 Begins Its Final Approach, a Pilot Takes a Flight Down Memory Lane

#8
post #5
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes and it says "First-class meal service on a Pan Am 747 in the mid-70s" :)

True, but airlines have absolutely made coach seats smaller and closer together over the years. And we're fatter on average than back then.

Airfare has also dropped by over 90% in the past 50-60 years.

Re: As the 747 Begins Its Final Approach, a Pilot Takes a Flight Down Memory Lane

#9
post #3

Would you just look at the padding and space between those seats. I miss that far more than the plane model.

Yes and it says "First-class meal service on a Pan Am 747 in the mid-70s" :)

Although traveling as a whole is more unpleasant in many ways, modern lie flat business class seating is actually quite a bit more comfortable for long haul travel than first class travel in the 747 originally was. (There was a first class lounge on the upper deck to be sure but that didn't last all that long.)

Of course, coach is generally both tighter seating and generally has fewer empty seats than it once did.

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