It's a nice autumn evening in 1978 and you've just boarded Iberia's nonstop flight from Madrid to Havana, Cuba. The Americans may choose to boycott Cuba but the amount of European generated tourism is substantial with both scheduled and charter airlines offering direct flights to Havana. The benefit of flying to Cuba with Iberia is that they still offer a true First Class, aboard a venerable DC-8-61 no less. You love the DC-8's huge windows and the view of those powerful JT3D turbofans mounted off the wing just behind your window. You also love Iberia's inflight meal service. Tonight's menu has a large matte print world map from the 1800s, but the food within is perfectly suited to today's tastes. You happily accept a refill on your deliciously aged Tempranillo and open the menu to peruse the delights within...

I B E R I A

DINNER
Madrid to Havana


Beluga Malossol Caviar
and
Pate de Foi� Gras
*
Consomm� Madrili�nne
*
CHATEAUBRIAND SALTEADO
~or~
FILET OF SOLE NORMANDE

Parisi�nne Potatoes - Panach� of Vegetables
*
International Cheese Board
*
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake
*
Basket of Fresh Fruit
*
Coffee ~ Tea

It's only a couple hours flight from Quito down to Lima, but for the fortunate few sat in First Class aboard Panagra's DC-8-33s, a nice luncheon will be served enroute. But first, let's take a refill on that zesty Pisco Sour and, si claro, I will take another bowl of those almonds, gracias! Now then, what to order...


P A N A G R A

LUNCHEON
Quito to Lima

Chilled Fruit Cup with Kirsch

Fried Fillet of Sole with Lobster
Rice Pilaff
~or~
Sliced Breast of Duckling with Smoked Tongue
Puree of Sweet Potatoes
Choice Peas

Chocolate Mousse with Whipped Cream

Fresh Fruit in Season

Coffee ~ Tea

Seat 2A, your scene-setting introductions are hilariously camp and a joy to read.

Thank you, dpark74 . I am reminded of my younger days (and to a large extent, still present days) when I see menus and old timetables featuring these services and can't help but imagine myself enjoying those services myself. Unfortunately, I wasn't old enough to get to fly many 707s and DC-8s aboard foreign airlines but I was able to log a good number of flights in First Class during th0e 1980s aboard DC-8s and 707s closer to home.

Seat 2A, thank you, these are a pleasure to read!

The summer of 1979 has been a tough one but your day started out well enough up on the Orange River along the Namibian border. Then the boat engine broke down just as the dock at Upington came into sight. It was all the crew could do to restart the engine and get you to shore in time to catch a a middle seat in the last row of a 727-100 down to Jo-berg. So after all that, you feel like you've died and gone to heaven upon walking down the jetway and stepping into the stylish and spacious Blue Diamond First Class cabin of South African Airways' new 747SP. Ahead lie thirteen hours of plutocratic ecstasy where you'll be wined and dined like a king while later sleeping like a baby in SAA's comfortable new sleeper seats. Your lovely stewardess has just stored your pith helmet and returned with a deliciously chilled Windhoek Lager. Brewed in Namibia by German ex-pats, it is far and away the best beer in the southern half of Africa. Moments later, a small plate of biltong is delivered along with the menu for this evening's flight. Following a long, refreshing pull off your lager, you open the menu to peruse the culinary delights within...

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS

DINNER
Johannesburg to Frankfurt

Canap�s

Crayfish Barquettes
Cold Ham and Pineapple
Anchovy Croutons
Sliced Biltong
Tomato and Cream Cheese

Appetizers

Blinis with Caviar
Goose Liver, garnished
Clear Madeira Wine Soup
Tomato Cream Soup

Main Courses

Grilled Middle Cut of Salmon with Parsley Butter
Boiled Potatoes

Duckling in Red Wine Sauce with Cherries
Sosaties with Savoury Rice

Roast Baron of Beef with Horseradish Sauce
Baked Mashed Potatoes

Roast Potatoes
Steamed Carrots
Buttered French Beans


Dessert

Ice Cream Cake with Chocolate Sauce
Cake Turban with Pears and Raspberry Sauce

Cheese Board
Fruit Basket

*

Coffee
Assorted Chocolates
Friandises

Cathay Pacific FC menu. 747-200 upper-deck; from Kai Tak, to Bahrain, to London Gatwick. In the very early 1980s.

Cover.

Another Cathay First menu. 747, late 1980s

Cover

South African 747-400 FC menu. CPT to LHR.. I think I took in the early 2000s












Terrible service. The Springbok Loin was inedible. SAA First Class was obviously about to be discontinued!

United FC menu 747-400. SFO to SYD.. 2000s

These are awesome. Keep them coming!

Fine wine and caviar on United. My how the mighty have fallen

Thai 747-400 , FC menu. From Auckland, to Sydney, to Bangkok. i think I took in the 2000s.

China Airlines 747-200, FC menu. Hong Kong to Taipei. Late 80s.

These are great additions, xtra1 : Thanks so much for such quality contributions.