Airlines used to promote their newest aircraft in advertising, as you will see in these vintage TriStar TV commercials. The Lockheed L-1011 was one of the most technologically advanced aircraft when it entered service in 1972, which the marketing people certainly don’t shy away from.
You don’t really see this kind of advertising anymore, probably because all the airlines operate similar aircraft over the same kinds of routes. The days of brand new types entering service all the time are few and far between. Luckily we have plenty to look at from the past, which you can see here.
Lockheed TriStar TV Commercials
First off, here is a Delta Air Lines commercial from 1973 introducing the plane. The presenter makes a big deal of the width and height of the cabin, not to mention the underfloor galley and inflight entertainment. They even show the coat racks in between the centre seats, which I think was unique to the L-1011.
Next up is a TWA commercial, featuring a random guy giving a tour of the plane, just like the Delta one above. What makes this one pretty awesome is seeing the swivel seats and dining tables for four people in first class. And how huge does the coach cabin look!
https://youtu.be/oV8hpf0EyFg
Another one from TWA now, this from a little later in the 1970s. I like how it uses actual airline staff, making it one of the cooler TriStar TV commercials. The fact they serve “a delicious steak in coach on all 1011 flights to the east” is a fun data point. No steak in coach on domestic flights these days, that’s for sure!
Finally, we have an ad from British Airways which must have aired in Jamaica. It is for the TriStar 500, which was the long range version of the plane.
Interesting to see the teddy being put into the overhead, as it reminded me of one of BA’s recent safety videos. Clearly the airline likes to appeal to families with children!
Overall Thoughts
These vintage TriStar TV commercials are pretty cool. They’re a window into the past, and I especially love seeing the inside of the planes as cabins are something I really groove on. Those TWA dining tables sure look fancy and I wish I was old enough to have been able to try it.
Did you ever fly on one of these Delta Air Lines, TWA or British Airways TriStars? Does the advertising match up with the experience? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Eduard Marmet on Airliners.net via Wikimedia Commons.
I thought it was interesting that they called it a 1011 and not an L-1011.
Yes, wonder how common that was – probably very, I imagine!
Sorry … With over 1,500K miles on Delta, I always recall it as the L-1011.
Good to know!
Definitely the Delta ones. My dad worked for Delta and was a foreman who maintained them in FLL. His crew was so good that when ATL couldn’t fix ‘em, they were sent to FLL because Frankie could fix ‘em and did every time.
I sure do miss those non-rev flying days. Royal Service on the ATL-DFW runs and Medallion Service ATL-LAX and ATL-SFO.
Oh awesome, that’s really cool that your Dad worked for Delta and maintained the aircraft. Would have been interesting work. Things have sure changed with the on board service these days, but good memories, I’m sure!
The cabin looks sleek without an overhead bin over the center seats but very impractical. I flew aboard the L-1011 and always rushed to get bin space. I was lucky to fly aboard TWA L-1011’s and Delta L-1011-250 and L-1011-500 aircraft.
You’re right, it would be a bit of a rush to put the bag away, considering the limited space. Still, without the bins, the cabin looks so spacious. Nice that you got to fly on a few L-1011s! Very nice!
Never saw the commercials until now but I did get to fly TWA ORD-LAS-ORD and STL-BOS. The STL-BOS segment was in Ambassador Class (Thanks Mom!) and was just long enough that even in the 90’s we had a nice late lunch on the under 3 hour flight. The plane continued on to CDG, so it was an international configuration but those A-Class seats were as thick as and comfy as could be for the time. Missed out on a DL bird as we were non-revving and got bumped, ended up on a 727 but got the last two seats in First Class (Thanks again Mom). That was a later evening flight ATL-STL and we just got a snack. Which I would kill for these days in the US.
Awesome, especially getting to fly Ambassador Class. That sounds wonderful really! I would have loved to flown on the TriStar, but it was never to be. I did get to do a United DC-10-10 and a DC-10-30 instead, so there are small consolations I suppose!
L-1011 was a nice plane to fly in, though Delta and TWA eventually went to 2x5x2 with 5 across in center coach. Got to fly PSA, Cathay Pacific, TAP and Thai Sky L-1011s.
I think they all went 5 abreast eventually and that coat rack went with it. Nice that you got to fly a decent selection of L-1011s! I’m jealous 🙂