This is a promotional film “An Intercontinental flight” for KLM airlines that in documentary-style follows one of the airline’s intercontinental flights. It’s not clear what aircraft is shown in use, but it is likely a Douglas DC-7 or Vickers Viscount. The film showcases the features and amenities of the trip, in particular the alcohol and food served to customers. At the time, smoking was permitted so passengers can be seen smoking onboard. The 11-hour flight would be much quicker with today’s technology. Other differences include the smaller cabin size, the formal attire worn by passengers, and the quality of the food served. The film portrays KLM as an elegant airline with a chic and international customer base. A variety of languages and accents are heard during this promotional film. It was directed by Ted De Wit and Gerard J. Raucamp and photographed by Jan Schefer.
KLM itself is a Dutch airline. KLM stands for “Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij” or Royal Aviation Company. It is the flag carrier of the Netherlands and is the oldest airline still in operation. Currently it flies to over 100 destinations across the world. In the 1950s, the airline expanded their network to include more American destinations and carried several hundred thousand passengers each year.
(00:44) This is a picture of just one of the 2235 scheduled flights made every year by KLM from continent to continent
(01:02) Passengers board the plane and prepare for an 11-hour flight
(04:21) The passengers speak a wide variety of languages
(06:54) The stewards serve alcoholic beverages
(08:22) A chef passes out menus to the travelers.
(09:07) Gourmet food is served such as foie gras
(11:04) They smoke cigarettes
(11:18) The passenger play a game together
(12:09) The customers recline their seats and put blankets and prepare to sleep
(13:23) They wake up and drink juice
(13:37) A man shaves himself and women apply makeup
(14:23) A stewardess serves tea and coffee
(15:58) They disembark the plane
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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
