LOOK: This Is What It Was Like to Be a PAL Flight Attendant in the ’50s

I’ve long been fascinated with how glamorous air travel used to be. Everyone would be decked out in their finest clothes, and each and every flight seemed to have been regarded as a special event. In a public Facebook group called Memories of Old Manila, one member shared a photo of Philippine Airlines flight attendants, dating back to the 1950s. It certainly lived up to the glamour I’ve always associated with the early days of travel!

Also read: Here’s What the Life of a Flight Attendant Is Really Like

The post, which has slowly been gaining more attention since it was first posted, managed to make its way to my own Facebook feed. The reason? My very own grandma happened to share it, noting that one of her sisters was included in the photo! How cool is that?

Philippine Airlines flight attendants back in the 1950s

“My sister Aida is photographed third from the left,” my grandma, Lourdes Pagulayan, commented. “She has settled with her family in the US, and is now in her 90s.” She added, “This post reminds me of my grandmother, who would make the sign of the cross blessing each time an airplane would pass the airways for the safe flight of my two sisters, who were both flight attendants of Philippine Airlines.”

“My elder sister was privileged to be one of the four flight attendants who were with the first international flight,” she shared. “They were so smart, poised, and had to be fluent in Spanish and English. After years of travelling with the flag carrier of our country, they brought us so much pride!”

Also read: Travelling for a Living: The Perks of Being a Flight Attendant

After seeing these Philippine Airlines looking all classy and dolled up for travel, I’m inspired to swap my comfy airport clothes for something more elegant the next time I finally get on a plane! 

Do you guys have any old photos of air travel that you’d like to share with us? Feel free to tag us on Instagram at @tripzillaph — we’d love to see them!

Featured image credit: Eduardo De Leon | Memories of Old Manila Facebook Group. These quotes have been edited for clarity, grammar, and flow.