Originally Posted by
Genetk44
you are correct...the cabin widths of the DC8, 707 and 737 are virtually the same. I've just tried to find actual seat widths on the older aircraft. As best as I can tell they are virtually the same as today. The big difference is in padding, much much thicker than today...and far more comfortable and seat pitch....seems like it was 34-38 inches in economy depending on the airline.
Apparently they were the same on all three Boeing, 148 in fuselage with, about 140 in cabin width. The DC-8 appears to have been one inch narrower.
as far as luggage....its like today...checked bags were dropped at curbside( if available) or at the checkin counter when you checked-in and got your boarding pass. Upon arrival you got your checked luggage at the luggage hall just like today. Of course in those days every bag was weighed. Did bags misconnect or go missing in those days...of course. No different than today.
Worked as of today, correct. As to weighing, definitely they were at least in those parts of the world where the rules were weight-based. Not sure in North America where rules were piece-based.
But I suspect the rate of misconnect was likely less. First because more point-to-point, and second, because the business was slower and more fancy. And typically luggage would take less time to show up.