Thursday 17 November 2011

Come Fly With Me


Can you tell I watched Pan Am last night?


Air travel has always excited me but I was an adult before I flew. During my childhood Dad worked abroad and didn't considered foreign travel "a proper holiday" so family holidays were spent in England. I was 21 by the time I'd managed to save enough money to pay for my first flight abroad. I'd expected my maiden voyage to be a glamorous affair and was bitterly disappointed to discover that, unlike the films, air hostesses were normal-looking women in dowdy polyester suits, flesh coloured tights and clumpy court shoes .


If I had my own airline false eyelashes, groovy clothes and six inch heels would be obligatory for stewardesses and passengers checking in wearing tracksuits and any other sportswear-related clothing would be banned from travelling.

1970's Chelsea Girl dress (£3.09, eBay), Cropped wool jacket (£5, Topshop sale, 2005),  Spotty scarf (courtesy of the lovely Catherine), Blue platforms (£5, local shop),  Clip-on earrings (the goddess that is Desiree), 1960s leather backed navy gloves (inherited), Suitcase (25p, jumble sale)
The first flight I took was on my own travelling from London Gatwick to Barcelona in 1987. How about you?

82 comments:

  1. the best first flight you could ever have done :D BCN is so wonderful.

    good luck with your airline ;)

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  2. I'd hire you for my airline in a second. I'll have a vodka and tonic please!

    I think my first flight was to Mallorca with my parents but my favourite was to Moscow with my Russian friend, we got very drunk on said vodkas and found a stash of air hostess hats!

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  3. haha Vix I love your dress code! Sometimes I try to dress up when I fly, sometimes I dress down. I've had a bad experience with some strange man sitting next to me and talking to me the whole time I had my ipod in. He even leaned all over me. I couldnt wait to get home and wash myself! Well, you look gorgeous, love the colors! Stay fly,
    Sophia

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  4. Sports clothing should be banned anyhow - only for actual sports or teenager males ;)

    Going to catch up on that programme today - I dozed off far too early last night!!

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  5. aahh i love this ;-)) Great outfit, great colours and im loving your jacket. Im like you i didn't fly until i was 22 i went to Spain with my boys father it wasn't a very good holiday though as he is and always was a right grump. Have a great day. dee xxx

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  6. Ah,you FOXY minx!!! I'd be done for frisking with the trolley dollys if they'd looked like you!
    My first ever airplane trip was from Sydney-Hong Kong 1989,when I was 22!I don't remember the flight,but Hong Kong was pretty scary!
    I don't expect we'll get the show for a while,but I'm gagging for it!Retro Air Hostess wear,that's where it;s at,baby,and you're rocking it!!!PHWOAR!
    Love Helga xxxXXXxxx

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  7. Vix Airlines sounds way more fashionable and fun :) Sportswear unless participating in sport should be banned! Love your outfit!

    I think my first flight was when I was about 5/6 years old you Mallorca with my family.

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  8. Love the outfit. My first flight was age 13, Spanair, Birmingham to Palma.

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  9. I didn't watch Pan-Am last night, but I've recorded it to watch later in the week. I have to say, the buzz on twitter is getting me quite excited about it. Similarly my first flight was when I was in my 20s and had started work and was from Birmingham International to... Wait for it... Barcelona! Snap! Lol.

    Love your air hostess look, you should have an airline :) AirVix xx

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  10. I am getting hooked on the Pan Am series, although the outfits are the big part of my liking it.
    Loving your gorgeous jacket, and you of course.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  11. You are far more stylish than any cabin crew I've seen! I LOVED Pan Am - slightly regretting watching it as I'm now HOOKED! I think I've mentioned that I don't fly as I hate it, but I could make an exception for Air Vix and Air Helga!
    Sportswear should definitely be illegal unless taking part in sports!

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  12. I've only flown twice (if you don't count return journeys), Bournemouth to Dublin when I was 21 and Gatwick to Venice for honeymoon when I was 25.

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  13. vix! you look fab! :) I love the airline spin you gave the outfit! :) I didn't watch Pan Am yesterday but I still admire that virgin advert from the 80s :)

    I've flown a fair few times, I think the first time I've flown was when I was 7 and went to Minorca. I think.

    Jules
    http://andsuddenlyisee.blogspot.com

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  14. really cool look! that blazer is so sweet, love the colours

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  15. FABULOUS! I LOVE it all - the frock and jacket! The travel case and tights! Your hair and earrings! Spectacular.

    I agree - I would LOVE to go back to an era of glamour and dressing up to travel - gloves and hats and all of that - track suit pants and ugg boots BANNED!

    My first flight was aged two, from London to LA. My first flight alone was aged seven, from Sydney to Brisbane. GLAMOUR!

    Love! Sarah xxx

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  16. Fab outfit! I'd fly Vix airlines for sure :) x

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  17. You look gorgeous! Love the hair, so glam.
    My first flight was to the Cayman Islands when I was about 7, I opened a pack of pepper got it in my eye, drove the stewardesses mad running around and generally loved the flight. :)
    xx

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  18. There must be a market for a reasonably priced 'novelty' airline. I would undoubtedly travel with them every time!

    Btw, that red case is awesome!

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  19. Not a pin to choose between you and Helga. My first flight was Leeds via Heathrow to Guernsey, the 2nd leg was in a small silver plane made of sheet silver metal riveted together, all the rivets vibrated, it was a bit scary, I think I was about 12.

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  20. You have given me such a smile today - Watch out Virgin if Vixen has her way!

    My first flight was at 15, Newcastle to Duesseldorf, school exchange - My host was Silvia, still a friend now - Great idea for a post, must watch out for Pan-Am on TV...

    Have a fly-be-fab weekend!

    Fhi x

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  21. How funny, I was exactly the same! Because my Dad flew and travelled for his job all he wanted to do in the holidays was stay in the U.K, so I was in my 20's before I flew for the first time.

    Love the outfit too by the way.

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  22. So needless to say i'd fly your airline, any day!
    I was three I think my passport picture still makes me giggle

    Sunnie
    (.=

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  23. Cute outfit, the scarf is a winner! I've been flying alone since the age of 5 , thanks to separated parents living 2 states away from each other.

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  24. I'm Vix, fly me!
    Love your spin on the Pan Am look (I watched it last night, more for the gorgeous women and costumes than the plot...) You look super-chic.
    I was another very late flyer. We never had any holidays as kids (no money), first trip away anywhere was to a very wet North Wales in February when I was 10! I was horribly envious of my pals jetting off to Spain, etc. So first flight was to Greece, I think, in my twenties.
    Being an air stewardess was still considered a very glamorous job when I was growing up, I'm fairly sure my Sindy had a stewardess uniform! xxxxxx

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  25. Great outfit. I love the red tights. I need to get another pair. I never go in public in sports clothing though wear sweatpants for chores on the farm.
    My first flight as an adult was in 1976 to the UK. I grew up way up north in Canada so had to fly from babyhood.

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  26. Hi Vix! you are right people do not dress up anymore, a little class please right? i always dress up while travelling!

    My first flight was in 1978, Montreal - Gatwick, yes! England, so excited to get there! I saved hard for for my 2 months touring Europe!

    Quebec actress Karine Vanasse is on Pan Am, she plays Colette!

    Love your outfit Vix!

    Love you Ariane xxxx

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  27. Aww Vix how totally cute you are in this outfit! I wish airlines were as glam as they were in theit hey-day (minus the smoking on board bit though!). I cant really remember my first flight, it was prob spain or france. Big Love Scarlett x

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  28. Vix, you can hire me for Vixair any day!

    My first flight (I think) was Stuttgart to London in 1995. Very boring.

    x

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  29. If you owned an airline - i might be pursuaded to fly!

    Rocking those red tights love!

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  30. Well until the mid eighties flying was a glamorous affair even in coach class, cabin crew was staying for DAYS (between flights) in five stars hotels and male passengers wore suits...I remember Valentino was designing the Alitalia cabin crews uniforms and Ferragamo the shoes.
    My first flight, Rome to Munich, needless to say I drove everybody crazy, I was 3 yrs old

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  31. la classe ;o)

    http://surlelongchemindelacceptation.blogspot.com/

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  32. Vix when I saw the pic of your outfit I went WOW! Thats just my style. I love it! I love coloured tights and little jackets.
    Dx

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  33. Oh drats.. I forgot to watch it!

    I love your earrings and dress, but naturally the whole thing is wonderful!

    An airline designed by you would be amazing, I can imagine all the upholstery and everything haha

    My first flight was when I was 8 to Berlin to see my newborn cousin, British Airways, they had haribo sweets shaped like planes and we went to see the pilot. I wasn't scared at all, my faith was 100% in technology!

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  34. Gatwick to New York (well, Newark, but I was heading for NYC).

    Love the outfit and can't believe I missed Pan AM last night. Humph.

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  35. You look fabulous! I really wanted to see Pan Ann but obviously not in the Uk so not sure how easy it will be to track down, did look really good from the advertisements.

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  36. Love this post Vix. I love your look and I love Pan Am, I'm hooked.
    My first flight alone was at 20 years old; I flew to Jamaica to meet my best friend who had been staying in Kingston for a month already. We met in Montego Bay, it was exciting and scary at the same time.

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  37. Look at the lil sex kitten flying off someplace exotic. I would fly anywhere with you me dear! You look adorable and so teeny. Love the updo and those BIG buttons but love you most!

    My first flight I was only a few months old and it was from CA to OH to meet the relatives. I cried the whole way there 6 hours so my Mom drugged me on the way back :) I also used to fly to San Francisco very year to visit my Dad from the age of 16.

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  38. I honestly can't remember my first flight, which is a little worrisome! I love how the buttons on the jacket and the skirt create harmony and the brilliance of red.

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  39. I love it when you play dressing up! My first trip abroad was to exciting Majorca. The air hostesses I remember most vividly were on Balkan Airlines. Red hair dye, glacial eye-shadow and the frostiest pink lips were compulsory.
    I'm tempted to try a stewardess look now, jump on the bandwagon. Sarah Misfit did a great job, I think Curtise's nautical look could pass, and yours is just wonderful. The the reddest tights and bag I've ever seen.

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  40. I would so wear what you're wearing right now. You are fetching!

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  41. Love the outfit. I haven't seen Pan Am yet but plan to watch it on catch up later tonight.
    My first flight was to Hamlin on a school trip when I was fifteen. :)

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  42. LOVED Pan Am - air travel really was so glamorous in those days, wasn't it? Easyjet et all have a lot to answer for! My first flight by myself was from Gatwick to Alicante, 1986 just after I finished my A levels. I went to work in a bar in Spain for the summer, and had an outrageously brilliant time!

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  43. You would be my only choice for travel if I had the promise of never having to look at another over sized arse in sweat pants! I love the coat with the large buttons. -T

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  44. Loving your stripe dress! Also totally want to fly Vix Airlines - tracksuits should be banned outside a gym! (and even inside for those horrid shiny ones...) :)

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  45. ooh, your stewardess style outfit is so lovely!!!, I'm loving every garment and the whole ensemble is delightful!, red tights and blue jacket are my favorites!!
    And that red suitcase would be perfect as cabin luggage with lots of glamour!!
    Love to watch Helga and you matching outfits!
    besos

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  46. Ooooh, you look very chic. First flight I went on was a school trip to America (exchange thing staying with families) when I was 18. Growing up we never had the money for foreign holidays. Trying to make up for it now tho! Off to read thru all the posts I've missed while in the Dam! xx
    We Shop Therefore We Are

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  47. I think I would love to work as an air stewardess on your plane, mid you I think the poor feet might hurt by the end of the flight!

    My first flight was as a child to spain and I thought it was very glamorous! Oh how times have changed!

    X x

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  48. I knew you could do this look!! xx

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  49. I've never been on a plane :(

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  50. Only you, Vix, could pull this off without looking like someone on their way to a fancy dress party x

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  51. ohhh my, this is definitely one of my favourite outfits of yours! you look adorable! have a vanity case very similar, red ones are my favourite :)

    xoxo.

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  52. You've definitely got the glamorous Pan Am vibe going with that outfit.

    My first flight was aged 22 to Los Angeles and it was magical, espcially flying over the north pole - although I could have done without the semi-emergency landing we made at LAX. I've never done quite such a long distance flight ever again.

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  53. Spotted Sarah and Helga's post in the blogfeed, then saw yours so figured some global airline glamourising going on today...

    Used to have a lovely little Pan Am purse when I was about 7 - my globetrotting grandma I think - which I thought was uber-glamorous.

    First flight - Gatwick to Portugal, 79. Plane was so titchy we thought it was the one they sent the post on! x

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  54. Love the red!

    I flew to Hawaii from Idaho my first flight when I was 12. I love to travel but hate the flying part which is especially ironic because my husband is an air traffic controller! haha

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  55. so cute, so fun! love the blue jacket!

    i think those ladies working for singapore airlines are the best dressed stewardesses...also the girls from air india look great in their saris.

    http://wardrobexperience.blogspot.com

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  56. Love your look Vix, espesh the cropped jacket. Speaking as an ex hostie myself I can tell you that wearing stiletto's for a 12hour duty kills your feet and I've got the bunions to prove it! I was a Caledonian girl and the uniform, although not everyone's cup of tea, was quality and not like the tat worn nowadays.
    It looks like I am alone in thinking that Pan Am was crap.

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  57. Gosh how fabulous is this! So wonderfully dress up!
    I haven’t watched Pan Am yet, but hoping to catch up with it over the weekend.
    I took my first flight aged 21 also. To Tenerife. I never went abroad as a child, something I felt a little embarrassed about at the time. I don't think I would dare fly alone xxx

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  58. Love the outfit, especially the stripes and red tights. I will have to check out Pan Am, everyone seems to be talking about it. I obviously spend far too much time sat at my computer.

    My first flight was to Spain when I was about 6.I remember crying when we took off. I agree the ladies on Singapore airlines look great.

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  59. Welcome aboard Miss Vix, you are truly sensational! I totally loved this post, Helga's and Miss Sarah Misfits!!! You really are the three musketeers of vintage!

    First ever trip - Auckland to Sydney 1989 flying United airlines. A oneway trip to conquer the world :-)

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  60. Oh you look adorable! Both my parents worked for airlines, my Mum was an air hostess for Singapore Air and they had to be made up to the nines and wear the beautiful fitted batik dresses - so she looked a dream - and then she wore a cute little suit much like the one you were wearing to travel to and from the airports as part of their uniform. Given my parents line of work my first flight was to Australia to visit my grandparents at 6 months old!

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  61. Love your outfit - I would also fly Vixair!

    I was 12 on my first flight on BOAC (Pan Am's UK rival) in 1958 with my mother and three siblings to join my father in Australia where he was stationed with the RAF. It was very glamorous - pretty air hostesses in smart uniforms, and handsome ex-RAF pilots. Frequent stops to have lunch in the new international airports while the plane was refuelling. We all dressed as if for an important occasion. My mother was allowed 16 pieces of luggage(take that Ryanair).

    I also flew on Pan Am in the late 1980s not long before it closed, but even by then the flight crew were looking harassed and tired and passengers were treated like cattle.

    Actually I quite enjoyed the Pan Am programme. Truly silly in the storylines and baby-faced pilots instead of more mature ex-airforce, but what the hell. The fashions seemed accurate if not the long hair (short or up-dos for air hostesses) and ridiculous high heels.

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  62. Coconut Airways flight 372 to Bridgetown Barbados

    Mr B

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  63. Whoa mama! You look so sexy! love your hairstyley and groovy outfit. Eyeing red suitcase. I fly vixcitas airline anytime as long as you get have a drink with me and sit on my lap.
    I been wanting to watch that show.
    I was in my 20's when i first flew to mexico of course, the plane was full of my relatives and we all got plastered.
    Besotes

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  64. Chelsea girl! Now there's a blast from the past! No idea what Pan Am is so orf to Google it now! Can I have a G&T and a packet of peanuts please?....Oh stewardess...oohh ohh..I say....

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  65. I love those kind of scarves....you totally look the part!! I still need to see this!!

    A Funky Little Fashion Blog

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  66. Perfection in my fav combo of colours too! My first flight was when I was 9 to Bali. My first flight on my own was to Adelaide when I was 11. I started my travels young!

    xx

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  67. love that jacket.......my friend's sister was a Laker air hostess at Gatwick which we thought was very exciting ........especially when Blue Peter filmed them training with Lesly Judd!!!

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  68. Great jacket, Vix. It looked vintage at first then I noticed that its from Toppers! My first flight was to Cyprus in 1999 - I came late to travelling by air and am now affected by a fear of flying. Not good!

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  69. So elegant, as always Vix!
    My first flight was at the age of 9in 1983, from Harare to Johannesburg. There were still smoking rows in the plane and tea was served in a china cup and saucer :-)

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  70. This is my favourite outfit of yours ever! I completely love it. My favourite colours, coloured tights, and favourite style of jacket. My first flight was in the summer of 1987 when I flew to Canada to stay with relatives. I was flying alone as it was my 18th birthday present from my mum and dad. I didn't realise it till much later when I flew again that I got bumped to first class. I thought everyone got steak served on china plates with proper knives and forks. I also thought everyone had a chair that comfy that wasn't in a long row. I was in the upstairs part of the plane with only a couple of other people and had no idea I was in the lap of first class luxury till I took an economy flight a year later to Hungary and all was revealed!

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  71. You are so talented sewing that beautiful dress and I am in love with your jacket and red tights. Actually I have my own red tights, wore them recently to the all parish Thanksgiving dinner and got some attention.

    This quote: "If I had my own airline false eyelashes, groovy clothes and six inch heels would be obligatory for stewardesses and passengers checking in wearing tracksuits and any other sportswear-related clothing would be banned from travelling" me laugh.

    I started flying as a little person, about three years old, to my grandmother's house in Illinois for long summer vacations.

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  72. Hot damn Vix! I love you in this whole outfit you have going on. You look fabulous!

    I am 30 years old and have NEVER yet flew on a plane. Which sort of freaks me out a little now.. because I think about the first time I ever do.... I may just FREAK OUT!! EEAAAAK! *lol*

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  73. Such a groovy outfit!! My first trip on a plane was when I was 8 years old to Brisbane in Australia - it seems liked the longest trip ever!!

    My first big trip was to Shanghai in 2008 - so many hours watching movies;)

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  74. Omg Vix.... The first time I traveled without the parents was 1987 from Vancouver to Gatwick! You would have ignored me though with my acid wash jeans, turquoise 4 inch heels & pink highlights! I then traveled on to France & Portugal.

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  75. Hi Vix!!

    How are you? Long time and all that jazz :D

    Loving the jacket and your suitcase here, My parents have a suitcase and matching vanity case set like that!!

    My first flight was to Athen's in 2001 (I think that's the right year) with a group of friends .. I always holidayed in the UK before that!!

    Sal xXx

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  76. Oh brilliant!!!! My first flight was aged 8 to Lanzarote! I loved it apart from choking on my boiled sweet as we took off! I had to be vigorously banged on the back!

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  77. My first flight was to Paris when I was 18! I still remember the excitement. You look a knockout, what a fabulous suitcase too! Will definitely start watching Pan Am when I had the thesis in! xxx

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  78. Fabulous I love this series.
    I now want to be an air hostess ha ha although its not very glamourous now!!! Nothing is glamourous anymore whats happened to this society??? x

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  79. I adore Pan Am! I was in love with their uniforms since I was like 11))) So hapy I managed to by their bag of ebay before the lauch of the show - my friend says they've became overly popular since.
    My first flight was Kuiv to Moscow, when I was 23, I guess) I loved it so much <3

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  80. My first flight was also to Barcelona, with Adrian, in 2009. I hated every minute of it, felt really sick, and decided flying is not for me. Which is a pity as there's loads of the world I'd like to see. Perhaps being taken up in a stunt plane as a nipper affected me more in later life than I thought it would! xxxxx

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  81. Love your stewardessy look, Vix, and I think Pan Am will be great winter entertainment. I cannot believe I just threw away an old Pan Am ticket from the 70s...
    We did a round-the-world trip when we moved back from Australia which lead to celebrating my 6th birthday 2 days in a row, getting presis from the stewardesses and being allowed to visit the captain in the cockpit. Aah, good times! xoxo

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix