With this month’s new Sky magazine and work on the Delta Sky Clubs, here’s a look back for those wondering “How did they start?”

Sky has come a long way from our  first issue, published in November 1971. The new “take home publication for Delta passengers”  was thin–only 29 pages and six articles.  A “Welcome Aboard” page listed differences between Boeing 747, Douglas DC-8 and DC-9 jet cabins when storing carry-on bags, turning on the reading lights and finding the restrooms. Smoking was permitted in flight. For those going on vacation, “Good news! You can now check sports items, such as golf clubs, empty scuba tanks or skis . . . ”

Today’s Delta Sky Club is yesterday’s Northwest WorldClub and Delta Crown Room Club. Here is what a Crown Room looked like circa 1960s. 

Delta Crown Rooms were introduced as part of a new “Royal Crown” program of luxury first-class airport and in-flight services on the large propeller-driven Douglas DC-7 in late 1958, and our jets in 1959.

By the way, this is the only color photograph of an early Crown Room that I can find in the Delta Archives. If you have any 1950s/1960s images of Delta Crown Rooms that you can share–especially those showing people–I would love to hear from you.

Marie Force
Archives Manager