IT WAS ACCEPTABLE IN THE EIGHTIES
AN incredible collection of photographs by Shirley Baker shows how much the average passenger experience has changed over the last 40 years.
A monochrome tribute to another era, they are a throwback to when corduroy was king, perms were the thing, you could wear your shoes through security - and smoke on a flight.
The iconic Salford-born photographer spent a day at the airport in 1987. Among the images are those chandeliers again, as well as passengers talking on payphones - another thing of the past.
In a time before iPhones and iPods, music could only be played through in-flight radio or your walkman. Prepping an-flight mix tape was the norm - or else you’d be stuck with whatever your airline chose.
Booking a holiday was a whole different ball game in the 1980s. There was, after all, no internet. Yes, there was a time you had to CALL an airline or go to their office or travel agent.
Arriving at the airport just 20 minutes before your flight was the norm and security was a lot more relaxed. There were no see-through plastic bags for liquids and no scanners.
Meeting travel companions meanwhile was a military operation. There were no mobile phones, so you needed to be where you said you’d be at the right time - or risk losing each other forever... or getting a call-out on the airport’s intercom.
Unlimited booze from your holiday wasn’t only allowed, it was encouraged.
One picture shows a woman picking out a £.50 bottle of Scotch, travellers bag some Cinzano, while a gent sups a bit of bitter in the departure lounge.
These days, alcohol is more of a controversial subject as reports rise of anti-social incidents at airports and on planes.
In fact the Home Office confirmed earlier this year it will reassess a loophole that allows airports to bypass the alcohol licensing laws which prohibit 24-hour drinking.
That could mark the beginning of the end for breakfast tipples in Manchester’s terminals.
1989 also saw the opening of Terminal A - now part of T3 - by Diana Princess of Wales.