Commercial Air Travel in the 1950s

Commercial aviation started in the 1920s, when many World War I pilots were looking for a way to still fly. However, it wasn't until after War World II, in the 1950s, that commercial aviation came into its own.

Introducing Coach

World War II provided many technological improvements in flight, and commercial airplanes became faster and more efficient. This led to the creation of the coach class, which let people travel around the country for around 100 dollars, one third of the price of tickets in the 1940s.

High Growth

From 1950 to 1958, annual boarding more than doubled from 17.3 million to 38 million. Airports around the country needed to expand, and delays in luggage, take offs and even landings were commonplace.

Flight Safety

Radar, a common fixture in today's commercial planes, was not widely installed until 1955. Beforehand, pilots only had a vague idea where other planes were, and had to use sight to get a location. In 1956 a TWA liner collided in flight with a United DC-7, killing 128 people. Afterwards, Congress passed the Federal Aviation Act of 1958, requiring air traffic to be monitored by radar at all times.

References

• Resource 4 Aviation Law: History of Aviation: Commerical Aviation and Accidents
• Novel Guide: Air Travel In The 1950s