While the first commercial flight technically happened over a century ago, it really wasn’t so far back that jets started revolutionizing business and leisure travel. TWA differentiated itself from competitors like PanAm with emotional advertising like this example from 1952. It’s not about onboard luxury or time savings to Europe. The new “thing” that this ad promotes is a concept that resonates just as strongly today as it did over 60 years ago – how quickly Daddy will be back from his business trip.

Source: Duke University Libary

FUN FACT #1: In 1957, TWA became the first airline to brew coffee in flight and offer it to passengers. (Source: Airliners.net)

FUN FACT #2: Howard Hughes, who owned TWA for 25 years, spread rumors about Senator Ralph Owen Brewster’s affiliation with PanAm, which he alleged gave Brewster free flights in return for legislation that would cause economic damage to TWA. This was the beginning of Brewster’s political demise, sealed by Hughes’ financial backing of a soon-to-be-victorious political opponent. (Source: Wikipedia)