Doesn’t this poster make you excited to fly? Well, considering the state of commercial flights today, maybe not. But in 1937, when the poster was created, it would have…the era of air travel was a thrilling development.
Air travel surged in popularity in the 1930s. Only 6,000 people took a commercial airline in 1930; by 1938 that number rose to 1.2 million, according to USA Today.
Ready to serve those air travelers were New York City’s two municipal airports. Floyd Bennett Field, near Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn, began to handle commercial passengers in 1931.
North Beach airport was named for the North Beach amusement resort developed by the Steinway company in Queens in the late 19th century. Opened in 1935, North Beach was eventually renamed for Fiorello LaGuardia.
What about Idlewild, aka JFK Airport? That one didn’t open until 1948.
[Poster: LOC]
Tags: Early Air Travel Ads 1930s, Floyd Bennett Field Poster 1930s, New York City Airports 1930s, New York City First Airports, North Beach Airport Poster 1930s, Old LaGuardia Airport Poster
Ephemeral New York 
September 27, 2021 at 4:55 am |
great poster – it would have made me excited to fly for sure
September 27, 2021 at 5:15 am |
Love the design!! (And I bet those planes had legroom, too.)
September 27, 2021 at 8:59 am |
That is an amazing increase in ridership (flyership?) in only eight years!
September 27, 2021 at 10:22 am |
Don’t forget Holmes Airport in Jackson Heights!
September 27, 2021 at 10:24 am |
And Flushing Airport of course
September 27, 2021 at 2:34 pm
Ah I didn’t come across those—good to know!
September 27, 2021 at 2:55 pm |
Pan Ams’ flying boats, the Double decker Boeing 314 and Sikorsky planes used the Art Deco terminal still in existence for passenger service and maintenance on the planes during the 1930s’. IMHO ir’s worth a visit, even if just to walk around the inside and try to get a look at the elaborate nautical themed roof frieze.
September 27, 2021 at 10:33 pm |
Yes, the TWA Terminal is a Landmarked site! and a nice hotel…very fun to explore