The Women Who Went Beyond The ‘Friendly Skies’

How Airline Stewardesses Fought for Equality in the Jet Age

I’ve had a window into the world of aviation for the past decade or so, as my research has taken me to the intersection of weather and air travel.

In the process, I’ve uncovered fascinating tidbits of history regarding commercial and military aviation, and I recently stumbled upon a PBS documentary that completely grabbed my attention.

(the two-minute trailer is shown above) unfolds the captivating history of flight attendants. And I also discovered a surprising connection between this story and my forthcoming book (which I reveal at the end of this article).

Originally referred to as stewardesses, these young women-they were all young and female-helped to revolutionize commercial air travel, while becoming the faces of the airlines by appearing in major advertising campaigns.

Stewardesses, many of whom were from small towns, traveled the world and became synonymous with glamor and extravagant living. They had a dream job, as well as an exclusive one. But, they also paid a sky-high price.