Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
AN airline once offered flights for men only - with both women and kids banned from flying.
Passengers on board the flights operated by United Airlines in America could make the most of cigars, steak dinners and business magazines.
Called "The Chicago Executive", it was dubbed "A Club in the Sky for Men Only".
The route ran from New York to Chicago at 5pm, taking just over three hours.
It was first launched in 1953 and was aimed at businessmen commuting between the two cities.
Onboard, the male passengers would also have access to a desk for working, as well as slippers and unlimited cigars.
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Of course, it wasn't exclusively men on board, as flight crew were entirely women.
The flights may seem crazy now, but were indicative of attitudes in 1953 when they were launched.
In March 1954, a United spokesman said: "What we give men is an opportunity to get away from women.
"We don’t regard it as segregation. We regard it rather as a little luxury.
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"As soon as a man gets in the plane, he can take off his coat and vest, if he wants to.
"And we give him a pair of slippers, so he can take his shoes off, too, and really relax.
"What results is a kind of smoking-car atmosphere. A passenger can smoke a cigar or his pipe, if he likes.
"He can’t do that on other flights. A lot of women object to sitting next to a man smoking a pipe; a lot of men object, too. Let those men ride with the women."
However, it wasn't just the chance to smoke away from women that appealed to the passengers.
One told the New York Times in 1970: “It’s not because of no women [that we're here].
"It’s because there are no squealing kids. We get enough of that at home.”
The flights lasted 17 years, but were scrapped in 1970 after several protests from the National Organization for Women.
The protest group better known as NOW had picketed the Chicago headquarters of United Airlines forcing their hand, although the airline said that dwindling sales were responsible for the cancellation.
And earlier this year, an airline launched new seating rules that let women choose to sit next to other women.
Airline IndiGo said: "It is specifically tailored to PNRs with women travellers - solo as well as part of family bookings."
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Plane etiquette
IF you're planning on going away any time soon, you'll need to pay attention to the following unwritten plane etiquette rules...
RECLINING SEAT: Podcast host and etiquette expert Nick Leighton explained that you shouldn't recline your seat if the passenger behind you is working on their laptop.
He said: "Nobody likes their laptop snapped in half."
Before you recline your seat, it's best to check to see what the passenger behind you is doing.
If they are on a laptop, ask before you move your seat back.
FEET: A flight attendant told The Sun: "Your boarding card tells you a number and a letter, this will be the reserved seat that you have paid for.
"Your feet, which are attached to your body, should do their best to reside within this space and stay far away from anyone else.
"If you do insist on stretching out, please make sure your feet are covered up."
CHAT: TV travel expert Samantha Brown explained that conversations from strangers aren't welcome, suggesting that others shouldn't expect a chat.
She added: "I’m not a talker. Plane time is me time."
Meanwhile, this airport was the first in the UK to offer international flights.
And these cabins could be the future of air travel with dining booths, sports bars and shops.
