‘The Air is Yours…Use It!’ – Holiday Magazine Travel Adverts from April 1950

I pulled these travel advertisements from an April 1950 issue of Holiday magazine. Back then, a cross country vacation could be insanely expensive – a significant expense in a time before credit cards and budget airfare. But that was part of the appeal, wasn’t it? A trip from Georgia to New Mexico sounds like nothing today; but in 1950, that was an exotic adventure...

 

Travel Ads 195019

 

I pulled these travel advertisements from an April 1950 issue of Holiday magazine. Back then, a cross country vacation could be insanely expensive – a significant expense in a time before credit cards and budget airfare. But that was part of the appeal, wasn’t it? A trip from Georgia to New Mexico sounds like nothing today; but in 1950, that was an exotic adventure – a singular event that the family would look forward to for months, and remember for years.

 

Travel Ads 1950

 

I love how the flight schedule is written on a chalkboard in an ad boasting of the wonders of “modern science”.

 

Travel Ads 1950 1

 

Remember what I said about that trip to New Mexico? It’s not a blah trip to Albuquerque – it’s a magical adventure to The Land of Enchantment.

 

Travel Ads 1950 2

 

The advertisement lists renting the car for a full 12 hours and driving 50 miles. I rent cars a lot – 50 miles won’t cut it these days.

 

Travel Ads 1950 3

 

It’s interesting that avocados are a big selling point to get folks to San Diego. At a time when grocery store produce was still seasonal and largely local, this might’ve been a big deal.

 

Travel Ads 1950 4

 

Mom needs to put her damn seatbelt on.

 

Travel Ads 1950 5

 

A mere twenty years later and this advertisement would have been laughable. Seedy and crime ridden, NYC in a couple decades would be unrecognizable.

 

 

 

Travel Ads 1950 6

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Travel Ads 1950 10

 

A beautiful ad, but I’m not sure I get her expression. Is she stressed, upset,.. relieved?

 

Travel Ads 1950 11

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