18 Photos Of How Luxurious Flying On Airplanes Used To Be, I'm Crying In My Lil Bag Of Pretzels

I don't like flying on airplanes because they're so crowded and the person next to me always takes my armrests. Not to mention, they give me an open glass of water on the world's most miniature tray. But it didn't used to be like that, and I totally envy how much space is in these vintage airplane photos.

View from airplane seat showing in-flight entertainment screen and limited legroom.
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1.This lunch spread with a freakin' centerpiece in the middle.

1960s airplane cabin with passengers enjoying gourmet dining. Flight attendants serve food and drinks, including champagne and hors d'oeuvres
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2.Look at these people on airplane seat recliner chairs in 1958. They can put their feet up!

Passengers in a vintage airplane cabin; a woman lounges reading, a man in a suit sits, and a pilot speaks with a seated woman in a coat behind them
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3.This woman in the 1950s in an airplane bathroom is so large she could actually fit her handbag on the countertop.

A woman in a stylish outfit applies lipstick in an airplane lavatory with a sleek vanity and a purse on the counter
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4.These people who have a nice little table in the middle to play with cars or read a newspaper. Nobody in front of them to flick their hair over the seatback!

Passengers in a vintage airplane cabin, seated and reading, with a flight attendant serving beverages
Fox Photos / Getty Images

5.This white-table-cloth-dinner in front of a really cool ceiling mural on board a TWA flight in 1955. No semi-beige mini dots on the wall!

Four people in elegant attire enjoy a meal on a vintage airplane, with fruit and flowers on the table
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6.This lovely little sleeping bunk with dinner served in 1952.

1950s airplane cabin: a woman dines in a sleeping bunk while a flight attendant serves drinks on a tray
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7.These spacious seats with in-flight entertainment that isn't so in-your-face on a TWA flight in 1965.

Passengers in a vintage airplane cabin watch ceiling monitors while a flight attendant serves them
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8.This 1950s plane lounge that, unfortunately, I don't think we could have nowadays because I would definitely just take my backpack and camp out there the whole flight while I do some maintenance on my island in Animal Crossing.

1950s airplane lounge with passengers seated and a stewardess serving drinks. Retro travel interior with spacious seating and elegant attire
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

9.Look how thick the headrests are here in this 1936 plane cabin. Imagine just sitting around playing cards on the table with your buddies in the middle of the flight.

Four people sit around a small table in a vintage airplane, enjoying cards and drinks, dressed in 1930s-style clothing
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10.These people on a Lufthansa flight who have walls. Like they have their own little cubbies to eat and chat in above the clouds.

People dining in a train's restaurant car, served by a waiter. Passengers are dressed in 1920s-style formal attire
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11.This very posh dinner served in the 1970s on board the Concorde.

Airplane cabin with a flight attendant serving passengers a gourmet meal, including lobster, in first class
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12.These seats on a Pan Am flight in 1952 that look so comfortable that I want to watch TV in my living room on them.

Three people in robes enjoy meals on trays while seated, smiling and conversing, with airline branding visible on the cups and bag nearby
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13.These walls in the middle aisle of a plane in 1968. The biggest perk of the window seat is the wall to lean on, so more of them, I say, is a super big plus.

Flight attendants serving coffee to passengers in a retro airplane cabin, showcasing vintage airline service
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14.All of the decorative ornamentation on this 1931 plane, including cushioned benches to sit on!

Vintage luxury train interior with ornate woodwork, patterned seats, and curtains, showcasing elegant design elements from a bygone era
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15.This abundance of space between each seat on this 1940s-era plane, where I wouldn't be mad if someone reclined their seat in front of me.

Passengers in a vintage airplane cabin are seated in rows, enjoying a meal. A man reads a document while others engage in conversation
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16.This spiral staircase living room on a PLANE(?!) in 1960 that I wouldn't mind spending a 6-hour plane ride on.

Vintage airplane interior with passengers seated and a flight attendant in a classic 1960s uniform standing by a staircase
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17.This smoking salon on a plane that is wild to me. Imagine if planes in this day and age had separate rooms like a Clue board.

Vintage airplane cabin with four upholstered chairs, round windows, and patterned carpet, evoking a classic and elegant travel atmosphere
Ullstein Bild Dtl. / ullstein bild via Getty Images

18.Finally, this full-fledged diner on board a plane that, honestly, I'd buy a ticket for just to have lunch there.

Retro-style diner interior resembling an airplane, with booth seating, a long bar, and "Jet Lounge" sign above
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What do you hate most about flying these days? Tell us in the comments below!