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)
Image credits: British Airways Speedbird Heritage Centre
Image credits: Battmann
Image credits: Brian Seed
I wonder how many babies have fallen out, so they do not do this anymore
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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Hmmm, I wonder how they kept these little screaming angels from becoming projectile objects in severe turbulence?
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
Or smoking & drinking while actually breastfeeding their babies. O.O
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Photos from 1953? A near-guarantee that everyone in these photos is DEAD, including the freaking babies.
My baby travelled like this in 1969, on a vc10 troop carrier to the far east! I had to hold her for takeoff and landing, also for the turbulant patch over the middle east. The journey took 24 hours including stops in Bahrain and Gan Island, quite an adventure! There were lots of babies and toddlers , I had my 2 year old as well, a very busy flight.
I flew with my daughter 15 years ago, she was 10 months old. I was assured I had a seat with a baby cot, but when I boarded it looked like a normal seat. I was horrified that I was expected to put my baby in a cot just like this above my head!!!! This was 2001, not in the 50's.
I wonder how many babies have fallen out, so they do not do this anymore
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... Hmmm, I wonder how they kept these little screaming angels from becoming projectile objects in severe turbulence?
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
Or smoking & drinking while actually breastfeeding their babies. O.O
Load More Replies... Photos from 1953? A near-guarantee that everyone in these photos is DEAD, including the freaking babies.
My baby travelled like this in 1969, on a vc10 troop carrier to the far east! I had to hold her for takeoff and landing, also for the turbulant patch over the middle east. The journey took 24 hours including stops in Bahrain and Gan Island, quite an adventure! There were lots of babies and toddlers , I had my 2 year old as well, a very busy flight.
I flew with my daughter 15 years ago, she was 10 months old. I was assured I had a seat with a baby cot, but when I boarded it looked like a normal seat. I was horrified that I was expected to put my baby in a cot just like this above my head!!!! This was 2001, not in the 50's.
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