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1950s Photos Reveal How Babies Traveled On Airplanes In The Past
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1950s Photos Reveal How Babies Traveled On Airplanes In The Past

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There are a lot of heated discussions about babies on-board airplanes, and whether or not parents should give candies to other passengers. However, one thing is certain – airlines have to try to be as pleasant as possible for every traveler, including the babies. According to rare photos from 1953, attempts to provide the best flying experience included awesome engineering solutions for the youngest travelers!

As official vintage photographs suggest, British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) went the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction. BOAC (the predecessor of British Airways) has developed hammock-like “skycots” for babies, traveling long-distance. If needed, these skycots would be attached to the luggage rack, allowing the infant to sleep comfortably and safely (the design of the cot prevented them from falling out). However, the child had to be held by a parent for take-off and landing; the same practice continues to this day.

Although today’s airlines provide similar bedding for babies, most of them attach to the bulkhead instead. Maybe we should complain about children on airplanes less, and search for ways to improve the flight for everybody more?

(h/t: vintageeveryday)

RELATED:

    Image credits: British Airways Speedbird Heritage Centre

    Image credits: Battmann

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    Image credits: Brian Seed

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

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    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Rokas Laurinavičius

    Author, BoredPanda staff

    Rokas is a writer at Bored Panda with a BA in Communication. After working for a sculptor, he fell in love with visual storytelling and enjoys covering everything from TV shows (any Sopranos fans out there?) to photography. Throughout his years in Bored Panda, over 300 million people have read the posts he's written, which is probably more than he could count to.

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    Kevin Hartung
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how many babies have fallen out, so they do not do this anymore

    Master Markus
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I was just thinking that this sounds like a great idea if they could just strap down the baby. I don't think babies are super safe in a crash situation regardless. I know they avoid injury by not being as tensed in stressful situations as an adult would be, but they're pretty fragile.

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    Kevin Donegan
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmmm, I wonder how they kept these little screaming angels from becoming projectile objects in severe turbulence?

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    other time... i'm still horrified when i saw a mad men episode when two womans were smoking in the same room where a baby was asleep

    Load More Comments
    Kevin Hartung
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how many babies have fallen out, so they do not do this anymore

    Master Markus
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, I was just thinking that this sounds like a great idea if they could just strap down the baby. I don't think babies are super safe in a crash situation regardless. I know they avoid injury by not being as tensed in stressful situations as an adult would be, but they're pretty fragile.

    Load More Replies...
    Kevin Donegan
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hmmm, I wonder how they kept these little screaming angels from becoming projectile objects in severe turbulence?

    Kjorn
    Community Member
    7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    other time... i'm still horrified when i saw a mad men episode when two womans were smoking in the same room where a baby was asleep

    Load More Comments
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