Tickets to Everywhere - Visualising the Lost Network of Airline Shops

Exploring airline travel agencies and the global networks they served

Long before the internet—and even before most people had telephones—major airlines operated networks of travel agencies in most major cities. These agencies served as the airlines' primary sales points, often doubling as mini-embassies representing their home countries. This project maps these historic locations across London, Paris, and New York, with more cities coming soon. You can also explore selected airline route networks from the era.

The addresses of retail shops listed in the pages of old airline timetables and printed in the margins of their route maps have nearly all disappeared. These were the same shops that helped airlines establish themselves abroad. While their aircraft created networks in the skies, these physical outposts were themselves another type of network.

At its peak, London had 35 airlines with retail locations within touching distance of one another. On Regent Street alone, you could find 10 different outlets. In New York, they were all congregated around 5th Avenue. And in Paris, they could be found around the Avenue des Champs Elysées.

Networks

Explore the routes of yesterday

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Hi, I am Christian Nolle, editor of Direction of Travel, a magazine and a digital project devoted to exploring the culture of flying. Project like this one and others. You can support the making of these by becoming a member of Direction of Travel. Members gain access to a members-only newsletter, discounted print-products and much more. With your support I can continue to create projects that explore the rich tapestry of flying. Join today.

Credits

Design, development, research by Christian Nolle (Direction of Travel). Thanks to ETH Zürich, SFO Museum Collection, London Picture Archive, Office for Metropolitan History, The Crown Estate, Mary Evans Picture Library, Middle East Airlines (London), Time Table Images and others.

Errrors

If you spot any errors please let me know. Data is scarce and hard to validate. I welcome corrections and any photographs or other material you might want to share. Please get in touch.

Swissair Office, Cairo, Charles Baehler Building, 1970s (ETH Zürich)