What we’re watching: Continental ads, PanAm introduces jet powered planes, how things have changed at United

by Charlie Leocha on September 24, 2009

A collection of Continental ads

This collection of ads, the Continental ones above and the old PanAm and United Airlines ads below focus on something that we seem to have lost in the airline business — customer service. When we look back at these ads below or even watch contemporary ads made for Continental, the last remaining airline to serve meals in coach on domestic routes, there is certainly a sense of once upon a time.

PanAm’s first jet flight film

This PanAm video from 1958 was created to show there new Boeing 707 jet service. Imagine that! No vibrations! Watching the service and the way we were makes one long for the days of yore when flawless customer service was what differentiated airlines.

Of course, these commercials were created in the days long before deregulation. There isn’t mention of price only great service. Come to think of it, airlines don’t really need to mention price these day since all prices are approximately the same. It would be nice if some of the old-time service made a comeback.

United Airlines ad circa 1982

Here is another vignette that focuses on service. United Airlines isn’t selling a bargain. They aren’t selling bigger seats. They aren’t enticing folk with frequent flier miles. Here, United is selling great service with a smile. Now there’s a dream.

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Tagged as: advertisements, advertising, airlines, continental, panam, united airlines, video

  • Bruce Hovanes

    I find it very interesting that one of the things that PanAm was touting in their ad was mood lighting that changes from the pink of dawn through to the dark blue of night. Isn’t that very similar to what the latest lighting trends are (although the new ones are done with LEDs)?

  • Cathy Baar

    The Pan Am ad brought tears to my eyes … I was an original “Panamaniac”, and worked for them on the ground at JFK. Those days are gone with the wind, and we will never see them again.

  • Jason

    You can’t go back to those days (although I wish you could). You notice in the ads how EVERYONE was well dressed, well groomed, etc? (Yeah, it wasn’t just an ad ploy either). Now you are lucky to sit next to somebody who has bathed within the last 3 days. US airlines have matched their service to the class of passengers they now fly. Raise the prices, offer the service.

  • Tim

    Like Jason said, “raise the prices, offer the service.” If prices were the same as they were in the 70′s, adjusted for inflation, the service could be the same as it was. There is no profitable way to offer the amenities that once were common with airline fares as low as they are in todays industry. Pan Am service and amenities on bus fare prices. . .”ain’t gonna happen”

  • http://www.winwinvacations.com Kristina

    I flew for TWA in the late 60′s and early 70′s. I would love to see an old ad or two from those “good old days”. Things can never be the same, I’m afraid, but it sure would be great to recover the service and most of all …. to make flying fun again. I started in the airline business when we wore paper dresses and “waived our tails for you”, which was a bit much by today’s standards! The book “Coffee, tea or Me” was popular also, written by a stew.

    The service was impeccable, the food was delicious with several choices in coach, … I especially remember the home-made lasagna we used to offer. It was cooked in a large pan onboard and we cut slices to suit each passenger. This was in coach! And yes, people dressed up to fly then.

    Now, I sell travel and nobody is looking forward to the dreaded flight to get to their destination, but still … the clients are looking for the lowest fare, always. They seem to go to any extent to save $5. What does that tell you?

    Personally, I would pay more to get some space for my feet and I would definitely pay what it takes for the airlines to make a profit and fly safely. In real money (adjusted for inflation), it’s at least 10 times cheaper to fly today than it was when those ads came out from PanAm. Something has to give and unfortunately it is always us … the passenger.

    Bring back profits and service!

  • roger

    Ah, yes – the “good ole days”. When you could get off a plane with the stench of stale cigarette smoke in your hair and clothes.

    Just one of the many joys of aging – failing memory.

    Reality check: These are commercials. Not documentaries. The company spent megabucks to make you think one way or the other. Just like Marlboro wanted you to think that smoking made you cool and drinking Budweiser makes you irresistable.

    Granted, things have changed (shocking, isn’t it!), especially the passengers. They did dress differently then – everywhere, not just on flights. But more than that, something that I didn’t see mentioned elsewhere, is that the customers are smiling (albeit, they are actors being paid to smile). But it’s something worth trying – be courteous, polite and gracious and see if that doesn’t change the way people treat you in return. I know, it’s a pretty far-fetched concept, but it might be worth a shot.

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  • Carrie Charney

    The casual way I dress now for a flight is a lot healthier for my body, especially, if a cabin emergency were to arise. I am in better physical condition, thanks to bas couture.

    However, I’d gladly pay more for a more inclusive service on my flights. In fact, I often do. On longer domestic flights, I buy a higher class of service in order to have more of a chance of getting an upgrade. But still, I find that the actual amenities (not the attitudes of the FAs) in first or business class do not come up to the standards of the economy class of yore.

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