From the 1950s to the 1970s, flying was a luxurious experience. Aviation historian Graham M. Simons recalls it as a time of elegance, with spacious seats and stylish crew. Passengers dressed up, adding to the sense of occasion.
Flight options were limited and costly. A round-trip ticket from Chicago to Phoenix in 1955 cost $138, about $1,200 today. Aviation expert Guillaume de Syon notes that flying was four to five times more expensive than now, making it accessible only to the wealthy.
Airlines served lavish meals with delicacies like caviar and foie gras. Some even hosted fashion shows on board. Former flight attendant Suzy Smith remembers serving beluga caviar during flights.
Flying felt like a cocktail party. Passengers dressed formally, and relaxed security allowed unusual items like pet birds in shoeboxes. This freedom contributed to a laid-back atmosphere.
Pan Am epitomized luxury and glamour. Former employee Joan Policastro recalls star-studded flights with exclusive lounges.
Flight attendants had strict appearance standards, wearing high heels, white gloves, and corsets. Airlines imposed rules on appearance, hair length, weight, and marital status.
Despite its end, the Golden Age of flying is fondly remembered. Groups like World Wings, former Pan Am employees, cherish memories of when flying was an adventure synonymous with luxury and excitement.
Automaker Suffers Major Losses of Billions Due to Electric Vehicle Investments in 2023.
As the push for electric vehicles persists despite public reluctance, the once-promising solution for environmental concerns is revealing significant drawbacks. Issues like inadequate charging infrastructure, limited range, battery problems, high repair costs, and supply chain disruptions have plagued the industry.
Despite these challenges, proponents like Joe Biden continue to advocate for electric vehicles. However, the lack of consumer interest has led to substantial financial losses for manufacturers. Ford Motor Company, for instance, reported a staggering $4.7 billion loss in 2023 from its electric vehicle product line, exceeding earlier projections.
The company attributed the losses primarily to intense competition driving down prices. With Ford selling around 72,608 electric vehicles in the year, the losses translate to roughly $65,000 per vehicle sold, an unsustainable business model. Moreover, Ford anticipates further losses, projecting up to $5.5 billion for 2024, particularly concerning in an election year.
Despite Chief Financial Officer John Lawler’s optimistic remarks about future profitability and customer adoption, the reality suggests otherwise. Ford’s flagship electric vehicle, the F-150 Lightning pickup, saw diminished demand, leading to production cuts. This setback is notable, especially as Biden’s administration aimed for 50% of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030.
Watch Biden test drive the Ford Lightning pickup here:
General Motors has also dialed back production and tempered expectations, posting a $1.7 billion loss on electric vehicles in just the fourth quarter of 2023. Ford went on to state: “We said yesterday that we will launch our second-generation EVs when they can be profitable and deliver the kind of returns we want, and we will build a stand-alone profitable EV business. Meantime, we’re improving the contribution margin of our first-generation EVs.”
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