For most of the 20th century, smoking and aviation enjoyed a close association. Tobacco companies built national advertising campaigns to tie their brands to aviation’s glamour. On aircraft, passengers were encouraged to light up in flight, while airlines proudly affixed their logos to ashtrays, lighters, and matchbook covers.
That’s all changed, so we can all breathe easier. But now visitors can relive flight’s smoke-filled era with the Aviation Museum of N.H.’s ‘Smoking in the Sky’ exhibit, on display now through the fall in the museum’s Slusser Aviation Learning Center. (The exhibit was last on display several years ago.)
It’s full of vintage artifacts from our collection, including authentic ‘No Smoking Beyond These Seats’ signs that airlines once used to separate smoking and non-smoking sections of the cabin. (Ah, the good old days!)
Did you know?
- That smoking was allowed on all U.S. domestic flights until 1986; it wasn’t until 2000 when it was banned completely.
- Cigarette ads once featured pilots attesting to the healthful benefits of his or her favorite brand.
- ‘Wings of Destiny,’ an NBC radio drama sponsored by Wings cigarettes, gave away an actual Piper Cub each week!
That’s a little of what you’ll discover when inhaling our ‘Smoking in the Sky’ exhibit, on display at the Aviation Museum of N.H. for a limited time only. ‘Smoking in the Sky’ is included with regular admission to the Aviation Museum of N.H.
To give you a taste (or a whiff) of ‘Smoking in the Sky,’ check out the gallery of images. And remember—smoking is prohibited in the museum!
