Air Hostesses of Yesteryear

Miniskirts, hairspray and polyester, the official look of the 1960s air hostess.

With a stew's welcoming smile and casual manner, how could flying possibly be scary?

These waving TWA stews pose in front of the distinctive tail of a Constellation, a workhorse in the 1950s and one of the more successful planes in the history of commercial aviation.

Remember walking across the tarmac and boarding the aircraft from the rear door? This TWA stewardess does.

United Airlines stewardesses were prized for their manual dexterity. At least, that's what this ad from the '60s would have you believe.

Working hard, yet fresh as a daisy. Notice all those stops along the way home.

Which do you prefer? High hair with hot pants, or the more restrained miniskirt?

No carrier traded on the female charms of its hostesses quite like Pacific Southwest Airlines did. The neon-colored micro minis were regulation, as were those unfortunate hats.

Southwest Airlines did not staff each Boeing 737 with a dozen stewardesses. This is merely a publicity shot.

In the 1960s, regional carriers used sexy stews in hot pants to lure passengers aboard. This one appears to be rolling a joint, although she probably isn't.