1. Dressing Up to Fly
There was a time when boarding a plane meant putting on your Sunday best. Men wore suits and ties, while women often donned dresses, heels, and even hats. The idea was that air travel was a glamorous event, more like going to the theater than catching a ride. Looking sloppy or too casual could actually earn you disapproving stares from both the crew and other passengers.
Now, sweatpants and hoodies have become the unofficial travel uniform. Comfort is the main priority, especially when you’re crammed into a seat for hours. Airlines themselves have loosened up their expectations, and the idea of requiring formal attire for travel seems almost laughable today. People still like to look presentable, but “runway ready” has taken on a whole new meaning.
2. Showing Up Three Hours Early—Even for Domestic Flights
Back in the early days of commercial travel, airports were slower, check-in was manual, and lines could take ages. Travelers were told to arrive hours in advance, sometimes even for short domestic flights. The worry was that if you cut it too close, you could miss the slow-moving process of baggage handling and ticketing.
Today, while airports can still be chaotic, the rules are much clearer. For domestic flights, most people know that an hour and a half is usually plenty, unless you’re traveling during the holidays. Self-check-in kiosks and online boarding passes have sped up the process. Arriving three hours early now feels more like a punishment than a precaution.
3. No Electronics Allowed at All
There was once a time when flight attendants would sternly warn passengers to put away anything with a battery. Radios, handheld games, even calculators were frowned upon because of fears they might interfere with the aircraft’s systems. The result was hours of boredom, unless you packed a book or crossword puzzle.
Today, electronics are an essential part of flying. Airplanes have Wi-Fi, seatback charging, and even live TV on some flights. You’re still asked to put your phone in airplane mode, but the fear of a Game Boy crashing a jet has thankfully passed. Now, it’s hard to imagine a flight without a screen to pass the time.
4. Smoking on Airplanes
It wasn’t that long ago that airplanes had smoking and non-smoking sections. Passengers could light up in their seats, filling the cabin with a haze that seeped everywhere, no matter where you sat. Flight attendants had to deal with the smell, the ashtrays, and the constant smoke alarms.
The idea of smoking on a plane today feels completely absurd. Modern cabins are sealed, and air quality is taken very seriously. Health concerns and fire risks eventually led to a global ban, and most passengers would be horrified if someone tried to light a cigarette at 30,000 feet now. Those little “no smoking” signs have become more of a reminder of the past than a real warning.
5. Weighing Your Luggage Like Precious Cargo
In the past, luggage rules were much stricter. Airlines carefully weighed every suitcase, and passengers were charged for even a few pounds over the limit. The focus on balancing weight and cost made sense in the early days of smaller planes, but it created stress at the counter.
These days, while luggage limits still exist, the rules are more flexible and predictable. Budget airlines may still charge for bags, but the obsession with every single pound has mostly disappeared. People often just pre-pay for their luggage online and avoid the hassle. The old ritual of nervously shifting items from one bag to another in front of everyone feels outdated and unnecessary now.
6. Only Paper Tickets Allowed
Air travel once required a paper ticket, often printed on thick cardstock that looked more like a legal document than a boarding pass. Lose it, and you weren’t getting on the plane. Families often kept their tickets tucked into special folders to keep them safe.
Now, nearly everyone uses mobile boarding passes or printable barcodes. Losing a ticket isn’t the end of the world—you can just pull it up again on your phone. The thought of relying on a fragile piece of paper feels outdated in our digital-first world. Even so, some travelers still like the nostalgia of holding a ticket stub as a souvenir.
7. Meal Service on Every Flight
There was a time when even short flights included a hot meal, complete with metal silverware and a little tray of sides. It was considered part of the flying experience, no matter how long you were in the air. Travelers compared airline food and sometimes even looked forward to it.
Now, meals are reserved for long-haul flights, and most domestic passengers are lucky to get a free bag of pretzels. Cost-cutting and changing expectations made in-flight dining less common. Many people just bring their own snacks or grab food in the terminal instead. The idea of expecting a full meal on a one-hour flight feels like something from another world.
8. Seat Assignments Were a Luxury
In the early days, seating wasn’t always guaranteed. Some airlines operated on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning if you were late, you could be stuck with the worst spot or even bumped. People would rush to the gate hoping to claim a decent seat.
Today, seat selection is practically a business of its own. You can pay extra for legroom, choose window or aisle, and even upgrade your spot during check-in. The old free-for-all method feels chaotic compared to the organized (if pricey) system we have now. It’s hard to imagine boarding without knowing exactly where you’ll sit.
9. Dressing Children Like Little Adults
Traveling families once believed kids should look as put-together as their parents. That meant boys in pressed slacks and button-down shirts, and girls in dresses with shiny shoes. The formality was meant to show respect for the experience of flying.
Nowadays, practicality rules. Parents dress kids in sneakers, sweatshirts, and comfy clothes, especially since travel can be exhausting for little ones. Airlines don’t expect children to sit stiffly anymore, and other passengers understand that comfort is more important than appearances. The old tradition of treating kids like tiny business travelers just doesn’t make sense anymore.
10. Travel Agents as Gatekeepers
Booking a flight once required a trip to a travel agent’s office. Agents had access to schedules and fares that the public couldn’t see, and they printed your tickets for you. It was almost impossible to plan a trip on your own.
Now, travelers can search, compare, and book everything from flights to hotels in a matter of minutes online. Travel agents still exist, but they’re more of a luxury than a necessity. The old rule of “you must go through an agent” feels outdated in a world where apps can plan your entire vacation.
11. No Carry-On Bags Allowed
In the early days of flying, passengers were discouraged from bringing much onto the plane. Luggage went in the hold, and people boarded with nothing but a coat or a purse. Overhead bins were tiny, and airlines didn’t want to slow boarding with too many bags.
Today, carry-ons are almost essential. People don’t want to risk lost luggage, so rolling bags and backpacks fill the aisles. Airlines even encourage carry-ons as a way to avoid baggage fees. The idea that passengers shouldn’t bring a bag onboard feels completely unrealistic now.
12. Taking Photos Was Discouraged
For a long time, taking photos inside an airport or on a plane was considered suspicious or disruptive. Security concerns and the novelty of flying meant that cameras were often discouraged, if not outright banned. Families might sneak a quick snapshot, but it wasn’t common.
Now, phones come out the moment people step into the terminal. Travelers post selfies at the gate, record takeoffs, and even livestream their trips. Airlines themselves encourage social media sharing, and it’s become part of the travel culture. The rule against photos seems absurd when nearly every traveler is documenting their journey.
13. Clapping at Landings
It used to be common for passengers to break into applause when the plane touched down. The ritual was seen as a way of thanking the pilot and crew for a safe journey. In the early days of less reliable aircraft, a smooth landing really was something to celebrate.
Today, clapping at landings is seen as old-fashioned and sometimes even embarrassing. Air travel has become so routine that most passengers barely look up from their phones when the wheels hit the ground. While the sentiment was sweet, the practice feels like a relic of a more dramatic era of flying.
14. Sitting Through Endless Safety Speeches
Before pre-recorded videos and sleek demonstrations, flight attendants had to deliver long, detailed safety lectures at the start of every trip. Passengers often groaned, as the information was the same every time and took several minutes. The ritual made sense, but it could feel tedious on frequent flights.
Now, most airlines use polished safety videos that condense the information and even add humor or creativity. Passengers can absorb the key points more quickly, and the crew doesn’t have to repeat the same lines dozens of times a day. The older, drawn-out version feels outdated compared to today’s streamlined approach.
15. Treating Flying as Only for the Wealthy
Once upon a time, flying was considered a luxury that only the rich could afford. Tickets were priced like fine jewelry, and the average family couldn’t dream of taking a vacation by plane. Air travel was exclusive, glamorous, and rare.
Now, budget airlines and competitive fares have made flying accessible to almost everyone. Families can plan vacations, students can study abroad, and last-minute deals make travel more attainable. While flying isn’t always cheap, it’s no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthy elite. The rule that flying was only for the rich is one of the most outdated of all.