Aircraft Interiors Past and Present
October 06, 2014![](/sites/default/files/styles/crop_freeform/public/gallery_images/Slide-2-In-Fligh-Entertainment.jpg?itok=_HmLsGF0)
Early Inflight Entertainment
Airplane passengers listen on headphones to the 1931 first test broadcast of a new service that allows them to hear boat races while watching the races from the air. Photo: Getty Images
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On-Demand IFE
Seat-centric systems are the current trend for inflight entertainment, as demonstrated by this Rockwell Collins Paves on-demand inflight entertainment system. Photo: Rockwell Collins
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Early Economy Class
An elderly passenger sleeps in his airline seat in the late 1940s. Photo: Getty Images
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State-of-the-Art Economy Seating
Today, aviation seat engineers focus on creating lightweight and comfortable economy-class seats, such as Expliseat’s Titanium seat, which provides additional legroom and can be 2-3 times lighter than standard seats. Photo: Expliseat
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Powder Room
On the world’s first jet airliner service in 1952, a passenger freshens up in the ladies' powder room. Photo: Getty Images
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Yokohama Lavatory
Modern lavatories are designed for space economy and typically feature automatic shut-off faucets, extra amenity storage space and new LED lighting, as seen in this lavatory module by Yokohama Aerospace America, the exclusive provider for Boeing 757s. Photo: Yokohama Aerospace America.
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707 Service
A Lufthansa steward serves dinner on a Boeing 707 international flight in 1967. Photo: Getty Images
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Multifunctional Spaces
Today, airlines use multifunction galleys that include refrigerated stowage, LED and task lighting, self-service bars and spaces that double as entertainment areas for passengers like in this full-height bar unit from Altitude Aerospace Interiors. Photo: Altitude Aerospace
Here is a look at aircraft interiors from yesteryear and elements of contemporary ones.