Air Travel in the 50s and 60s

Most people had not travelled by air in the 50s. As a schoolboy, my tales of regular air travel were listened to with interest and the relative merits of the Viscount Turbo Prop or the twin engined Elizabethan were knowledgeably discussed by friends who had only seen pictures. Smoking was allowed although cigarettes had to be extinguished on take off or landing. I think it was only in the 70s that some separation of smokers and non smokers took place with the smokers sat in the back of the plane - but with no physical separation. Air hostesses used to hand out sweets on take off and landing to ease the ear pain caused by pressure change. Meals, included in the fare, were served on china plates with metal knives and forks - starter, main and pudding were the norm - and coffee or tea were served in cups with saucers and real glasses, not plastic, were used where appropriate.