“A World of Difference” is a public relations video produced in the mid-1960s to promote World Airways Charters. Narrated by Lowell Thomas, the film opens with a jet in flight (mark 00:45) as the company is described as “the best there is in air travel.” Via an animated sequence we see the various parts of the planet to which World Airways travels before visiting the company’s center of operation — Oakland. A Boeing 707 touches down at mark 02:20 and heads to the hanger as Thomas describes its dedicated personnel as men and women with years of experience who are responsible for impeccable on-time and safety records. Maintenance crews go to work at mark 03:30 to ensure each aircraft is operating in perfect condition, including a visit to the “clean room” (mark 04:15) where employees are responsible for the care of instruments as well as a classroom where engineers continue their education to keep up with the latest developments. Airline hostesses undergo their own continuous training, and at mark 05:00 we watch as they attend a class at “World Hostess School.” After completing a course at the Patricia Stevens Charm School in San Francisco, Thomas explains at mark 05:32 that “these attractive girls rehearse the practical aspects of fine food, service, and pleasing people.” A focus on pilots is next at mark 06:00, men who help make air travel “safe, luxurious, and on time.” The film continues by showing aircraft arriving in such locales as Bermuda, Rio De Janeiro, Hong Kong, and London, where the film shows the viewer around each city. On a Hawaiian flight at mark 09:44, we watch as hostesses serve cocktails, hors d’oeuvre, and meals to well-dressed passengers before they touch down and are greeted by hula girls. The next few minutes takes the viewer on a tour of the islands before a list of “satisfied (corporate) customers” flashes on the screen and Thomas speaks of the single-minded dedication of World Airways employees. Come mark 15:47 we see some of the company’s awards and recognitions, and learn of some of the company’s latest worldwide offices.

World Airways, Inc., was an American airline headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia in Greater Atlanta. For the most part, the company operated non-scheduled services. World Airways ceased all operations on March 27, 2014. World Airways was founded in 1948 by Benjamin Pepper with the introduction of ex-Pan American World Airways Boeing 314 flying boats. Edward Daly, however is thought of as World’s founder. He bought the airline in 1950 for $50,000 and proceeded to acquire DC-4s.

World got its first government contract in 1951 and has had a substantial amount of government business since then. Later, World acquired DC-6s and Lockheed Constellations. World entered the jet era in the late 1960s with Boeing 707s and 727s. In the early 1970s, World acquired Douglas DC-8s.World became a key military contractor during the Vietnam War, flying troops and equipment between the war zone and World’s base at Oakland International Airport. On March 29, 1975, World operated the last airlift flight out of Đà Nẵng, Vietnam. Two 727s were flown to Đà Nẵng, one of which landed with Daly aboard. Thousands rushed the airplane and it took off on a taxiway under heavy fire. The aircraft with Daly aboard started its takeoff roll with the 727’s back airstairs still down with Daly fending off additional people trying to leave due to over capacity (The film of this was later broadcast on the CBS Evening News on March 30, 1975).[3] When the airplane landed at Saigon, there were 268 people in the cabin and possibly 60 or more in the cargo holds. World did not return to Đà Nẵng until April 17, 2002, then with an MD-11 aircraft to pick up a team of people resolving Missing-In-Action cases from the Vietnam War.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com