Nostalgic Freebies We Wish Airlines Would Still Offer

Back in the golden age of air travel in the 1950s and 1960s, airline passengers could look forward to gourmet plated meals, ample legroom, onboard lounges for socializing, and sometimes even flight attendant fashion shows. As the industry changed over the decades, amenities that were once provided free to passengers began to slowly disappear. While most of us by now are probably (begrudgingly) used to the idea of cramped seats and paying for our own food, it was often the little touches that made flying feel like a special affair. Here are a few of our favorite nostalgic airline freebies we wish every airline would still offer.

Playing Cards

In 1961, Trans World Airlines (TWA) became the first airline to regularly play in-flight movies on overhead screens. In the 1990s, personal seatback entertainment screens were introduced, and nowadays passengers on long-haul flights are accustomed to having hundreds of movies, TV shows, and games at their fingertips.

But before in-flight entertainment screens took over, airlines used to hand out complimentary playing cards as one way to help passengers pass the time. Airlines introduced them in the 1920s, and Dave Hofmeister, a playing card collector and historian, told Apex Experience magazine that “their heyday was probably the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s.”

These decks once came in a range of unique designs that made them sought-after collectibles. For example, British Airways had a collection of cards that highlighted the history of different aircraft the airline operated, while Delta Air Lines had cards themed around their destinations. 

While playing cards were once a common item flight attendants handed out upon request, only a few airlines, such as Singapore Airlines, still offer them today. But if you’re interested in procuring a deck and starting your own collection, they can be easily found on websites such as eBay.

Wing Pins

Think back to your first flight. If you were a child, you might have asked a flight attendant on board for a set of wing pins to commemorate the experience. These souvenirs — similar to the ones pilots and other staff wear on their uniforms — were also once a common freebie at airlines, particularly for younger flyers. 

According to travel website SmarterTravel, the earliest wing pins were handed out in the 1930s and were considered a treasured keepsake, especially considering how much of the public could not afford to fly back then. “Having that Pan American ‘junior pilot’ pin on the playground would be quite something,” airline advertising expert Cameron Fleming told the site, adding that “it would be like you went to the moon.”

By the 1980s, dozens of airlines offered wing pins, but after industrywide cost cutting, they’re much more of a rarity these days. According to The Points Guy, select airlines like Delta and Alaska Airlines have them available on request for young flyers.

Postcards

Many of us like to send postcards from vacation to loved ones back home. But instead of buying them at the local souvenir shop, you used to be able to get free postcards from your airline. 

According to Collector’s Weekly, postcards reached their golden age in the early 20th century, at a time when flight technology was rapidly advancing. Early airlines such as TWA and Pan Am issued official postcards touting their new aircraft or routes, which later became collectible items for enthusiasts. 

In fact, many airlines used to stock them in complimentary welcome kits, which were offered to all passengers and included other items such as cards with foreign language translations and airline memorabilia. These days, you still might get a free amenity kit stocked with toiletries, eyeshades, and other useful items if you’re splurging for first or business class.

Timetables and Ticket Wallets

In 1995, Alaska Airlines became the first U.S. airline to sell tickets online. Since then, much of what we need to travel by airplane has moved online, from flight schedules to check-in and boarding passes.

Before those advancements, though, airlines used to stock printed timetables at airport check-in counters that detailed their entire schedule. The booklets allowed customers to easily look up flight times and compare routes across airlines, along with other useful information such as aircraft types, baggage requirements, and the airline’s contact center. 

Paper timetables also became a collectible item for aviation enthusiasts — until Southwest Airlines became the last U.S. airline to officially abandon the practice in 2009. Of course, that’s much better for the environment, but some travelers fondly recall a time when they could flip through an airline’s entire schedule at their fingertips. 

Ticket wallets are another paper item that fell by the wayside, particularly as online check-in and mobile boarding passes have become more popular. These were once an elegant way to keep boarding passes and other travel documents organized, but many travelers don’t have any use for them now. 

Collectibles Today

So, what freebies can you still get these days? If you’re an aviation enthusiast or you’re just looking to commemorate your next trip, Delta Air Lines recently went viral for its “secret” collectible trading cards, each featuring a different aircraft the airline flies. All you have to do is ask your pilot or flight attendant if they’re available on your next Delta flight. United Airlines has introduced similar cards on their flights. 

Other airlines offer unique collectibles, too, ranging from KLM’s Delft house collection to Lufthansa’s rubber ducks and Eva Air’s Hello Kitty-themed trading cards. While such amenities are no longer as common as they once were, they are still around if you know where to look.

If you’re particularly interested in airline memorabilia, there are also collector’s shows where you can browse everything from dinner plates and silverware to airplane models, vintage posters, and uniforms.