Cabin crew in the 1950s had to take great care of their appearance while at work.
The early decades of flying were strongly associated with glamour and luxury as only the wealthy could afford to fly.
Consequently, the air hostesses were expected to look pleasing to the eye.
However, some flight attendant requirements were also very practical and necessary.
An air hostess who served with United Airlines in the USA in the early 1950s has revealed the height restrictions that were in place.
Ethel Pattison, 93, joined United Airlines as a stewardess in the summer of 1951.
Today, she is a historian at Los Angles airport in California, US which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year.
She explained that when she flew, air hostesses needed to be within a certain height bracket.
This was entirely from practical reasons as the woman needed to be able to reach upwards as well as not scraping the aircraft ceiling.
“In those days, those ladies applying to be stewardesses had to be 5 foot 2 inches to 5 foot 8 inches,” she told Express.co.uk.
“With the jets, planes were bigger and so height increased to 5 foot 10 inches to reach the overhead storage.”
Air hostesses also had to look after their weight, and this was measured by bosses on a regular basis.
A New York Times classified ad for stewardesses at Eastern Airlines listed the following requirements in 1966: “A high school graduate, single (widows and divorcees with no children considered), 20 years of age (girls 19 1/2 may apply for future consideration).
“5’2” but no more than 5’9″, weight 105 to 135 in proportion to height.”
The strict rules did not prevent the cabin crew enjoying themselves, however.
“I enjoyed being a stewardess, living with roommates in Seattle and travelling and learning about the United States, it was a great experience for me,” Ethel said.
Ethel went on the become America’s First Airport Tour Guide in 1956 at Los Angeles airport.
The airport then was incredibly different to the huge bustling hub it is today.
“LAX was three two storey buildings before the jet age airport in 1961, two for the airlines with small seating area for passengers and their outside gates and one for post office, bank, coffee shop and weather bureau, restaurant and observation deck on the second story,” she explained.
She added: “Looking back in time at how far LAX has come, it seems to adapt to its growth and increase in passenger totals well and we look forward to seeing it continue to reach its potential.”
Rules still apply to flight attendants today when it comes to appearance, although they are more relaxed.
