I’ve selected a USAir DC-9-30 for this installment of Vintage Airline Seat Maps. Configured in a single class layout, it seated 110 passengers in the usual 2 x 3 format common to all DC-9 series aircraft. The first two rows featured unique forward and aft facing seats with tables in between each grouping of seats. This might be fun, especially if you were in a party of 4 or 6, but otherwise I’d hate to sit there. If row 3 had as much legroom as the map shows, that’s where you’d find me sitting, and probably on the two-seater side. If not, I’d be inclined to sit in the exit rows, which I’m sure had additional legroom beyond what appears on the map.
Where would you sit?
One of my first flights as a kid was on Allegheny on one of these DC-9-30s. My parents and I sat in row 1 and 2 (by ourselves as most flights back then were lightly loaded). We played card games most of the way on the shared table. If only I had a camera back then…
I go along with your mention Darren! I flew a US DC9 on Easter 1984 from Buffalo to La Guardia. A fantastic approach parallel to good old Manhattan!! I can remember they brought sandwiches form the rear of the aircraft to the front. Big Sandwiches. Really big roast beef ones. After two I was satisfied. I only ask myself, where did they bring the sandwiches from? There are only lavatories in the back. Hmm, perhaps they had different variants.
On the same trip I flew also on a Pan Am 741 over the Atlantic. I remember there were 8 seats (2, 2+2, 2) for the Clipper – Class arrangement. In those years I threw away lots of schedules including these fantastic old seat maps. I have some from the beginning of the 90s. But no Pan Am. Only Lufthansa, United, Alitalia, Air France, and some more.
I like your collection of seat maps. I am very glad about your engagement. I hope yopu will find lots more of them Darren !!
Greetings from Hamburg, Germany,
Stephan Petersilie.
Thanks for your comments, Stephan, and glad you’re enjoying the seat maps. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who likes them.