Recalling the fabulous bars and lounges of the Boeing 747

Step back in time to the 1970s, when high flying bars were the peak of inflight sophistication.

By Staff Writers, March 18 2024
Recalling the fabulous bars and lounges of the Boeing 747

Among the numerous jet airliners to grace the skies over the decades, there’s one which still holds a special place in the hearts of many travellers. It’s the Boeing 747 – the aircraft largely credited with opening Australia to the world.

Simply put, the jumbo jet revolutionised global travel as we knew it, not only ferrying more passengers but putting the cost of flying in reach of the average person thanks to its greater fuel efficiency. And that’s not the only legacy of the ‘Queen of the Skies’.

It also ushered in a new (though short-lived) era of luxury, with several carriers crowning the upper decks with lounges designed for cocktails and conversation. (Boeing even designed a bar in the belly of the 747 too, though the idea never took off.)

In a way, these were precursors to the high-flying bars now found on Emirates and Qatar Airways. 

A custom-made replica of the Qantas 747 Captain Cook Lounge.
A custom-made replica of the Qantas 747 Captain Cook Lounge.

Here’s a glimpse of what it was like flying the Boeing 747 in the 1970s, at the beginning of its reign.

Pan American (Pan Am): the first Boeing 747

The world’s first Boeing 747 set the trend for what was to come, with Pan Am turning the jumbo’s entire upper deck into a ‘restaurant in the sky’ for its first class passengers. 

The restaurant sported a full menu, including roast beef carved tableside.
The restaurant sported a full menu, including roast beef carved tableside.

Travellers could share the experience with up to three companions, or use those several hours in the sky to make new acquaintances and discuss the issues of the day.

Surveys at the time indicated that around 30% of Pan Am’s passengers chose to fly with the airline for this feature alone. 

Qantas: the Boeing 747 Captain Cook Lounge

After partaking in the Qantas First Lounge, travellers could keep the on-holiday vibe going in the Captain Cook Lounge on the Boeing 747’s upper deck. 

Qantas' Captain Cook Lounge.
Qantas' Captain Cook Lounge.

Guests could simply grab a newspaper or magazine and make themselves comfortable, or ditch the reading material in favour of fine wines and a little conversation. 

It certainly would have made the journey fly by.
It certainly would have made the journey fly by.

While Qantas again provides a small inflight lounge on today’s Airbus A380s, it’s a far cry from the upper deck of the 70s. 

A replica of the Captain Cook Lounge can be found at the Qantas Founders Museum in Longreach. 

American Airlines’ Luxury Liners: the piano bar

American’s Boeing 747s came with a fully-fledged piano bar on the lower deck. Not merely a recording of somebody playing an instrument on the ground, but a live piano bar in the air.

However, presented by the difficulties involved with tuning pianos and how easily a little turbulence or a bumpy landing could make a traditional piano change key in an instant, AA opted for electric Wurlitzer organs.

Appreciated by passengers and cabin crew alike, the organs provided live inflight entertainment that was always in tune.

Air France, Continental, United: cocktail lounge bar

Taking an approach more akin to what we’d see today, Air France, Continental Airlines (now merged with United Airlines) and United itself provided guests with spacious seating and cocktail bartender service. 

On Air France, guests mingled at the bar or while being served snacks in the surrounding seats, while on Continental, the bar was the focus of the room and most seats came in pairs, easily accommodating couples and travelling companions.

Air France and Continental's inflight lounges.
Air France and Continental's inflight lounges.

United’s own cocktail lounge sported a large communal bench and both bright yellow and cool blue chairs in a colour scheme that was a little more on the ‘modern’ side.

Air India, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines

The choice was as varied in Asia with Japan Airlines opting for something simple yet social:

Air India went for for something eye-catching, with uniforms to match:

And as for Singapore Airlines, it featured a lounge and dining area where the seats could also be converted into ‘sleeperettes’ once airborne:

But whichever airline you chose to travel with, your ticket would buy more than just a seat between one city and another: it bought a truly memorable journey.

All these later, a handful of airlines still boast a proper inflight sanctuary, foremost among them Emirates’ A380, where breakfast martinis and snacks remain a favourite of well-heeled travellers. 

Emirates' inflight bar debuted in 2008, when it tooik the reins of its first A380.
Emirates' inflight bar debuted in 2008, when it tooik the reins of its first A380.

Qatar Airways’ superjumbo also features a classy little number. Its mosaic tile-backed bar is stocked with top shelf tipples including whisky, vodka and gin, as well Champagne, should you find your glass empty.

Stretch your legs with a visit to the Qatar Airways A380 bar.
Stretch your legs with a visit to the Qatar Airways A380 bar.

Passengers jetting off on Virgin Atlantic’s older A350s also have an inflight retreat of their own, in the form of The Loft, while its newer birds are home to a revised (and indeed significantly smaller) version dubbed The Booth

The Loft and its smaller sibling, The Booth.
The Loft and its smaller sibling, The Booth.

Sadly Virgin Australia no longer has a bar of its own, following the departure of its Boeing 777s

Do I remember the days!! Back in the 70's I was a Qantas Regular Traveller (QT), a precursor to the Chairman's Lounge where I had access to the Captains Club. No one seems to know anything about this very exclusive by invitation only perk. It was very low key but better than Platinum One and everything else and by the way, I've been a Qantas Platinum for Decades.

I travelled many times in the Captain Cook lounge on the B747-200 and it was something extremely special. Qantas needs to reinvent itself back to the 70's. The food, the livery, the service was oh so much better. But then I have to wake from my dream and remember the airline is now run by bean counters who haven't a clue about satisfying customers.


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