Chic boutique airlines that have seduced us through the ages
Braniff
1928-1982
Announced “the end of the plain plane” in 1965. Lounges and planes were reupholstered, as were stewardesses, who spent the next decade dressed like Austin Powers extras: Emilio Pucci pastel miniskirts complemented by plastic space bubble helmets designed to protect their dos from the windy tarmac. Offered gourmet meals, in-flight Atari and, to company executives, Vegas parties attended by the cream of the Nevada mob. Folded after overambitious expansion, including a major investment in the Concorde.
Pacific Southwest Airlines
1949-1988
The World’s Friendliest Airline” painted smiles on its planes’ noses, and didn’t like stewardesses to frown, either. In the 1960s and ’70s, they were kitted out in high boots and electric orange polyester minidresses with matching pillbox hats, and told to flirt. The girls didn’t just dress like pin-ups; they were pin-ups—when PSA found out that a Vietnam squadron had named themselves after a favorite stewardess, the airline sent her across the Pacific to say hello. Sexist, yes, but popular: Frequent fliers brought sweets for the crew, and the most loyal were inducted into the “Precious Passenger Association.”
Trump Shuttle
1989-1992
When Eastern Air Lines died, the Donald took over its New York–to–D.C., New York–to–Boston shuttle service—a “subway in the sky” it had operated since the 1960s. Flying high on the success of his Atlantic City helicopter service, Trump paneled the cabins with maple, the bath fixtures with gold and the fuselage with his last name, at the cost of $2 million a plane. In 1989, this seemed like a pretty good idea. Then came a recession and the Gulf War oil price spike.
Song
2003-2006
Delta Airlines’ answer to Jet Blue. Targeted at women, Song offered healthy snacks, fancy cocktails, singing flight attendants and lime-green décor meant to evoke the mod heyday of air travel. An unfortunate example of branding run amok reabsorbed into Delta six weeks after the airline filed for Chapter 11.
porter airlines
2006-
Flying out of a small airport just a short ferry ride away from downtown Toronto, Porter is a tiny operation—only 18 jets—but one long on style, from the low-lit lounge (free WiFi! Free espresso!) to the flight attendants’ pillbox hats. Flight attendant uniforms are designed by Pink Tartan’s Kimberley Newport. With service to Newark, Porter is the coolest way for New Yorkers to get to (and leave) Canada, eh?
