How Airline Cabins Have Changed

The Telegraph: The passenger experience has evolved over the decades, landmarks have included:

1921: Aeromarine Airways shows first inflight film “Howdy Chicago”

1927 May 1: The luxury Silver Wing lunch service to Paris was introduced by Imperial Airways, using the Argosy. With a comfortable recognisable airliner cabin, a steward, a four-course luncheon and a bar service, the flight took 2hrs 30mins and was a notable breakthrough in terms of comfort and service

1950 May 1: BOAC introduced their luxury “Monarch” service to New York using the Stratocruiser, which offered a sleeper service

1952 May 1: BOAC introduced the first economy, or Tourist Class, on flights to New York from London, with one-way fares starting from $270

1963: First Audio headsets introduced by TWA.

1976 January 21: British Airways launched the world’s first Supersonic in-flight service, from London Heathrow to Bahrain

1977 May: British Airway introduces the first cabin for business travelers, called the Executive cabin on Boeing 747's

1981 March: British Airways overhauled it's longhaul Executive Cabin, renaming it Super Club on US routes then worldwide in 1984, becoming Club World in 1987

1995 September 18: British Airways introduced the world’s first fully flatbeds in First class

2000 March: British Airways became the world’s first airline to develop and install the first fully flatbed seats in business class

2000 November 11: British Airways was the world’s first airline to introduce a new fourth cabin type, called World Traveller Plus, for premium economy customers .

2011: Air New Zealand launches "skycouch", the world's first economy class lie-flat seat.