TWA routes now spanned to world and May 17, 1950 TWA changed its corporate name to Trans World Airlines. And suddenly the world became TWA's global village.

From California to India, TWA served the four continents: North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Added to this vast expansion airfares now allowed the average person to enjoy the luxury of travel affordably. May 1952 TWA's Sky Tourist program now offered coast-to-coast fares of $99.00. TWA was leading the way for the rest of the airline industry.

by 1955, domestic airlines surpassed railroads in the number of passengers carried. Atlantic travel also increased. The world just got a little bit smaller.

TWA led the way with its emphasis on service. Pressurized 40 passenger short haul Martin 404's offered a full dinner service on a 50 minute flight. The responsibilities of the air hostesses and qualifications expanded. Single and at least two years of College degrees were required. International hostesses needed 4 years of seniority and fluent in a foreign language. Height, age range and weight requirements also changed. Weight checks became the norm. A hostess must keep here weight within 5 pounds of her hiring weight or she would be put on notice, removed from her trips until the excess weight was lost.

In the 1950's training was about to intensify with regards to safety. Safety now included evacuation of the aircraft, wet ditching, knowledge of exits on all aircraft and the location and use of fire extinguishers. 90% or better was the minimum requirement for a passing grade. Starting salary was $235 per month and the minimum number of flying hours was 85.

The Super G Constellation

September 25, 1955, TWA began mulitple-service flights in the United States, thus changing the style of air travel. Coach or tourist class service was in the forward section and first class was in the aft, rear section being considered more comfortable in prop aircraft. The Super G boasted a spacious lounge in the aft cabin. Three hostesses were assigned to the Super G service.

Spring of 1955, TWA started liquor service on its domestic routes. The responsibilities of air hostess again changed. Complimentary liquor in first class, while coach passsengers were charged for their drinks. Another unique feature of the Super G was the first in-flight cooking. Partially cooked entrees were loaded into ovens. First-class passsengers were served steak, whhile coach passengers enjoyed chicken or beef stroganoff. Fish and sometimes lobster tail were alternative choices on Fridays.

1956 TWA began adding an international flare to the hostess position. Hostesses from Canada, Mexico, and Europe were working many of TWA's domestic routes. TWA also decided to add a First Hostess as well as purser to the transcontinential and international flights. They received an additional 10¢ per flight hour. TWA, always seeking to improve their inflight service, was the first to add freshly brewed coffee.

Part of the "new look" on the Club Coach service on U.S. routes, passengers could ndow purchase lunch or dinner trays. The $1.00 tray included a cup of soup, a club sandwich, fresh fruit and a beverage.

1957 a major change in hostess requirement. TWA found they were losing too many hostess to martimony. Although TWA would not hire married women, however a hostess who married after she was hired could continue her flying career on a permanent basis. TWA now employeed 1,400 hostesses with 593 trained in 1956 alone.

In 1957 TWA introduced the "sleeper" seat. Innovative in design, a regular seat could recline to an almost flat position thus appeasing the wealthy partons and a lure to the middle in-come traveler. Economy service was introduced April 1, 1958.

The careers of TWA hostesses was about to change drastically, the days of piston -powered airplanes were numbered. Mass commercialization was on the verge of taking control of the airline industry, ushering inteh Jet Age and the need for Jet hostesses.

1959 four Hours and 58 Minutes.

That was how long it took the first 707 flight from San Francisco to New York on March 20, 1959. Nineteen junior hostesses, all based in San Francisco, graduated in the first jet class at TWA in April, 1959. Prior to the age of jets.