You could find a United DC-8 in the skies for over 30 years. As the launch customer, they took delivery all the way back in 1959 and you could fly on one into the 1990s. Upon the aircraft’s introduction, a film was produced to inform the public about the brand new jet.
In the 1950s, many airlines made promotional films about their services. Often these included showing how the pilots were trained, details on the engines and how the operation worked. All of this was designed to reassure people about the new technology, not to mention promoting the flights themselves.
United DC-8 Film
Titled “Jet Mainliner Flight 803” this video is all about the United Airlines Douglas DC-8 and runs for about 24 minutes. Those that have not flown on this aircraft will note the personal reading lights for passengers. Not only are they huge, but they are located in the head rest of the seat, something you really don’t see today.
Enjoyably it shows a flight simulator from the era with the images coming from a camera “flying” over a physical representation of the terrain. It’s literally filmed and projected in front of the pilots, which is how it was all done before computer images became available.
For a change I can finally see why people say that meals were better in years past. The film shows the United DC-8 meal service in both economy class and first class and it looks pretty decent!
Some things no longer occur nowadays, such as the kids getting their wings when they fly on board. It is a shame, because I think things like that are really good for keeping children interested in aviation.
Overall Thoughts
These types of films really provide an excellent and up close look at the original jet airliner service. The Douglas DC-8 was a popular aircraft, with 556 examples built during its lifetime. This was less than half of what the competing Boeing 707 sold though, and did mark the beginning of the end of the Douglas dominance in commercial aviation.
I have to say that it seems the space available for passengers is not too different to today. When the seats recline, you can see it looks similar enough. It’s a shame we can’t go back in time to see what it’s really like, but apart from visiting museums, films like this are probably the next best thing. If you missed the American Airlines one from last week, you can check it out here.
Have you travelled on board a United DC-8 or experienced the service back in the day? Thank you for reading and if you have any comments or questions, please leave them below.
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Featured image by Jon Proctor on Jetphotos.net.
In 1972 as a 12yr old I flew with Mom from RIC-Denver (United), changing at Dulles. Both were Super DC8’s, very long. Coach had 5 across seating. On a sold out flight from Dulles, we were stuck in the coach lounge the whole way, miserable experience. They were tiny short chairs that slid back and forth for recline. Exiting the plane, I drooled over FC, gorgeous. In 1983, I flew FC on a “stretch” 727. They served steak on china, but that was it, just blah service. Now all you get is a slightly wider seat, no extra legroom (on… Read more »
That’s really cool that you got to fly on the DC-8, though it sounds like it was uncomfortable in that coach lounge for part of it. I’ve also flown on the 727, though just twice and definitely not in first class. Yes, things have changed quite a bit today, though the service on the longer routes is often not too bad these days. Thanks for that, I love hearing people’s experiences on the classic jets.
Being OLD, (ahem experienced), I’ve had the privilege of flying First Class many times over on both United and Delta and Eastern Airlines DC-8-71 on their longer routes out of Chicago O’Hare. Opposite door 1L was a small four top “lounge” that we’d have cocktails and canapés before the meal service which was served in courses off the trolley. At that time, United called their First Class “Red Carpet” service and Delta called theirs “Royal Jet” service. And then Eastern named their First Class service “Ionosphere”. And of course no one came dressed in pajamas, flip flops, or looking like… Read more »
That all sounds very civilised, what with the cocktails and canapés before the meal service served in the lounge. I guess the closest thing today would be something like this served in the bar on the Qatar, Emirates or Etihad Airbus A380s, but I’m sure it would lack the panache of the United, Delta and Eastern DC-8s. Wish I had experienced it, that’s for sure. Thanks for that!
Reminds me of the plane interior in the beginning scene of The Graduate. Except the personal reading lights in the headrests also have audio controls.
I don’t think I’ve seen The Graduate. I’ll have to check it out now. Maybe they took “inspiration” from the DC-8 and added some modifications. Thanks for the heads up!
I flew aboard a United DC-8 in 1979 and 1984. Both times, there weren’t that many passengers. In 1984, it was DEN-SFO and all passengers had a row to themselves or their travel companion due to few passengers. Meals were less fancy than 1959.
Pretty nice that everyone had their own row, but I imagine that flight was not one of their most profitable! Great that you got to fly on the DC-8 though. I wish I had been able to get on board one. Not at all surprised the meals were not as fancy as 1959! 🙂