This time next week I will be arriving at Gatwick as a bleary eyed traveller who has survived the 23hours 45 minutes flight (if there are no hiccups along the way) from Sydney to London. While we moan and complain about our long haul flights we need to remember our ancestors whose journeys took way longer than ours do now.
A search of Trove gives us an insight into our ancestors' journeys.
You can continue reading this lengthy article from the link above.
The Measuring Worth website tells me that 220 Australian pounds in 1946 would have been worth $AUD14,246.00. in 2018. The Webjet website tells me that tomorrow I could fly Return Economy to London for $1146 and on Qantas for $1522. A Business Class return fare is available for $5431.
In comparison my Business Class flight next week looks like good value and I am sure it will be more comfortable than a 1946 flight. I know it will be faster than a flight in 1946.
By 1957 flight times were reduced to a mere 28 hours, much closer to what we have to endure today.
A search of Trove gives us an insight into our ancestors' journeys.
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| 1926 'FUTURE OF AIR TRAVEL.', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 November, p. 11. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202209834 |
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| 1936 'REDUCED FARES FOR AIR TRAVEL TO LONDON', The Evening News (Rockhampton, Qld. : 1924 - 1941), 15 August, p. 1. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202476116 |
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| 1935 'AIR TRAVEL', The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), 13 June, p. 6. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article30090881 |
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| 1946 'CHEAP AIR TRAVEL PLAN TO AUSTRALIA', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 31 January, p. 1. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2662022 |
In comparison my Business Class flight next week looks like good value and I am sure it will be more comfortable than a 1946 flight. I know it will be faster than a flight in 1946.
By 1957 flight times were reduced to a mere 28 hours, much closer to what we have to endure today.
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| 1957 'Sydney-London Air Travel Time To Be Reduced', The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), 3 January, p. 3. , viewed 15 Oct 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91231060 |
We are lucky to be able to travel the world for leisure not out of necessity. My journey last week took me 33 hours, door to door.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was the only immigrant of my family to arrive in Australia by air. His journey took 4 days in 1949 https://ayfamilyhistory.com/2017/07/04/trove-tuesday-flying-the-kangaroo-route-in-1949/
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