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Collection Spotlight: Vintage Travel

  • Nov 1, 2023
  • 1 min read

Domestic air travel soared in popularity during the 1950s and 1960s due to the post-World War II economic boom and introduction of more commercial flights. During that time, air travel became an attractive and convenient mode of transportation for individuals and families. Additionally, the glamorous and sophisticated travel experience, characterized by spacious cabins and attentive service, added to the allure and appeal.

Vintage suitcases, hat bags, cosmetics cases and duffel bags

Visit the collection in-person at Sea City Vintage, 2001 Park Street in Atlantic Beach on Long Island, New York.


Traveling now vs. then

So, what's really different about traveling now vs. in the 1950s and 1960s? Pretty much everything.

Dress code

Traveling in the 1950s and 1960s required passengers to dress formally, often wearing their

finest attire. Today, comfort usually takes precedence over fashion.

Advancements in aviation technology have made it possible to reach distant locations even faster and with more convenience. The flip side is this has led to the loss of the charm associated with slower, more leisurely journeys.

Air travel started to become popular in the 1950s and 1960s, but it is nothing compared to today. Thanks to budget airlines and competitive pricing, air travel has become more common and accessible for the masses.

In the 1950s and 1960s, in-flight entertainment meant chatting with fellow passengers over a cigarette or watching the clouds go by. Today, travelers enjoy wide range of entertainment options right at their Wi-Fi connected cellphone.

My reference of vintage airport security is the movie Blow. If they could get away with what they did in the 1970s, you can only imagine how relaxed security was traveling was before then.

Introducing our 2023 vintage travel collection!

We are so excited to bring a little midcentury travel to you and your loved ones this holiday season. We've curated a collection of travel bags, train cases, apparel, swizzle sticks, mugs, decks of cards and so many other amazing pieces of vintage travel memorabilia. Shop on Etsy anytime or in-store Tuesday to Sunday 8am-4pm.

  • Vintage 1965 Original "Fly TWA" Hong Kong Travel Poster by David Klein for Howard Hughes Trans World Airlines (TWA)
  • Vintage Six Piece Avocado Green Travel Luggage Suitcase Set
  • Vintage Pan American Airlines Pan Am Canvas Travel Bag
  • Vintage Round Airline Tapestry Suitcase Cosmetics Hat Travel Bag Carry-All by Munro
  • Vintage Hunter Green Alitalia Airline Vinyl Travel Bag
  • Vintage Pan American Pan Am Airlines Brown Logo Pattern Badanco Vinyl Travel Bag
  • Vintage Trans World Airlines TWA Vinyl Travel Bag
  • Vintage 1980s Northwest Orient Airline Vinyl Travel Duffle Bag
  • Vintage Eupo-Air Travel Service Ltd. Vinyl Travel Bag
  • Vintage Blue and Green Plaid Fabric and Vinyl Travel Suitcase
  • Vintage Avocado Green Samsonite Silhouette Suitcase Travel Bag
  • Vintage Pan American Pan Am Airlines Small Blue Bowling Vinyl Travel Bag
  • Vintage Custen Travel Vinyl Travel Bag - Long Beach Rockville Centre Long Island New York
  • Vintage Kent Travel Service Vinyl Travel Bag - Brooklyn Huntington Plainview Long Island New York
  • Vintage Round White Hard Plastic Suitcase Cosmetics Hat Travel Bag
  • Vintage Air France "The World's Largest Airline" White and Navy Blue Canvas Suitcase
  • Vintage Blue Travel Cosmetics Make-Up Toiletries Train Case Retro Luggage
  • Vintage Red Samsonite Saturn Travel Cosmetics Make-Up Toiletries Train Case Retro Luggage
  • Vintage Brown Airway Travel Cosmetics Make-Up Toiletries Train Case Retro Luggage
  • Vintage Avocado Green Sears Travel Master Cosmetics Make-Up Toiletries Train Case Retro Luggage
  • Vintage Pan Am Pan American Airlines Extra Large XL T-Shirt | Screen Stars Best, Made in USA
  • Vintage Trans World Airline TWA Playing Cards
  • Vintage Delta Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage Western Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage Air France Airline Playing Cards
  • Vintage United Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage Braniff International Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage National Airlines Orange Sun Logo Playing Cards
  • Vintage Northwest Orient Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage Eastern Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage American Airlines Playing Cards
  • Vintage Pan American Airlines Pan Am Playing Cards
  • Vintage Air France Airline Playing Cards
  • Vintage Airline Coffee Cups Mugs Pedestal Mugs Milk Glass - Trans World Airline (TWA), Pan American (Pan Am), American Airlines
  • Vintage Pan American Pan Am Airlines Pin Back Buttons
  • Vintage Airline Cocktail Stirrers Swizzle Sticks - Trans World Airlines (TWA), Pan American (Pan Am), United Airlines, American Airlines
  • Vintage Pan American Pan Am Airlines Writing Utensils Promotional Advertising Pencils
  • Vintage Pan American Pan Am Airlines Writing Utensils Promotional Advertising Pens

Wherever you're off to this holiday season, we hope you enjoy it with the ones you love most. Safe travels!


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