The first stewardess: Ellen Church

Ellen Church born in Cresco, Iowa on September 22, 1904, Church was a pilot and a nurse. Boeing Air Transit (the predecessor to United Airlines) wouldn't hire her as a pilot, but did take her suggestion to hire nurses as stewardesses in order to calm passengers' fear of flight. She believed that a flight attendant would help convince people that flying is safe. Church was hired in 1930 as head stewardess and was put in charge of hiring.

PSA stewardess still pretty even black and white

Do not think that there is no pretty lady during the Black & White photo's age, because some people might think that the old fashion style, make up skills and the low quality of camera and printing would result a poor  images. However, we are going to show you that, they are still HOT even in 21st century!

The Airline: Pacific Southwest Airlines

Pacific Southwest Airlines was a United States airline headquartered in San Diego, California, that operated from 1949 to 1988. It was one of the first large discount airlines in the United States and is considered a precursor to Southwest Airlines. PSA was known by its slogan "The World's Friendliest Airline" and for the iconic smile painted on the nose of its airplanes. Opinion L.A. of the Los Angeles Times stated that PSA was "practically California's unofficial in-state airline for almost 40 years."



PSA is one of the four heritage airlines that form US Airways, the other airlines being America West Airlines, Piedmont Airlines and Allegheny Airlines.

Its Boeing customer number was 14. Following the merger with USAir, the PSA name was given to Jetstream International Airlines in order to preserve the PSA name and trademarks.

Stewardess Vintage: Braniff International Airways

Braniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe. The airline ceased operations on May 12, 1982, due to factors including escalating fuel prices, aggressive and unsustainable expansion, and fierce competition following changes that resulted from the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978.

Collection of Braniff Flight Attendant Uniforms Designed by Pucci

 08 Oct 1965, Newark, New Jersey, USA — 10/8/1965-Newark, New Jersey- New “space age” uniforms for its stewardesses including exotic smocks, space helmets and boots, were unveiled by Braniff International Airlines as it announced its stepped-up service from Newark Airport. Stewardesses Linda Krumme and Sue McNeil are shown in the new uniforms — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS (RDuJour)

 Braniff Coffee Service on DC-3 (Braniff Pages)

 "Sleeper Service" on a Braniff DC-6 (Braniff Pages)

In 1964 when insurance mogul Troy Post bought ailing Braniff Airlines he gave the company a major make over. His “The End of the Plain Plane” campaign included hiring architect Alexander Girard for the design of the planes and Italian fashion designer Emilio Pucci to design the staff uniforms. Post also employed a fleet of “jelly bean” colored jets. Continue reading for more pictures of the retro air glam and videos of advertisements starring Andy Warhol. (RDuJour)

Braniff International Airways (left), Pacific Southwest Airlines (right)

Braniff International Airways TVC - The Air Strip

Original source: Braniff Pages, RDuJour