Thoroughly Modern Milieu: The Feminine Presence in the Airways

From 1924 to 1939 commercial aviation in Britain underwent considerable change. The Government intervened to encourage merger and to provide funding, acquiring in the process more direct control. As a result a new, more powerful, airline — IAL — emerged. Airplane technology improved greatly, bringing an increase in passenger seating and operating range, allowing airlines to carry more passengers over greater distances. Trans-continental travel was introduced and ‘air stewards’ became a standard part of the flight crew. Competition sharpened with the development and growth of British Airways Ltd (BAL) and a number of international competitors. Women became an accepted part of the workforce but, with one or two exception, were wholly employed in secretarial and clerical positions.