Did you know pilots, not “stewardesses,” provided Delta’s first onboard meals? Shown here, Co-pilot Jack Slaton serves a box lunch to a passenger in the mid-late 1930s.
In 1936, Delta flew the Lockheed 10 Electras, which cruised 160 miles per hour and held 10 passengers, 2 pilots and our first complimentary meal service—box lunches served by the co-pilot.
At mealtime, the co-pilot would walk to the rear of the Electra. He handed box lunches to the closest passengers and they passed them forward amongst themselves. As the co-pilot made his way back to the cockpit, he poured passengers coffee from a thermos. The box lunches usually contained two sandwiches, fruit (apple, orange or banana) and a small cake.
Marie Force
Archives Manager
September 4th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
They still do this! But with Dunkin Donuts.
I have caught a few flights here in NYC, where the polot or co-pilot not sure which has given the stewardesses and even passengers donuts he has brought with him.
I never got 1 but I think it’s cool that he has shared with passengers. To bad I don’t know his name or I’d mention it so he could get some Major Kudos.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
Must mention it was the same pilot or co-pilot the times I saw this.
September 5th, 2008 at 9:20 am
[...] to this entry by archives manager Marie Force in the Delta Air Lines blog today, back in the 1930’s the airline’s on-board meals were served by [...]