1950’s Pan Am World Airways flight bag; photo courtesy San Francisco Int’l Airport)

If you’ve got a layover at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) be sure to check out the exhibition of more than 125 vintage and present-day items from 45 airlines, including flight attendant uniforms, airline signage, flight bags, in-flight service items, luggage labels, ticket jackets, safety cards and model aircraft.

(Colonial Airways luggage label c. 1925; courtesy SFO airport)

The objects help tell the story of how airlines establish an identity through graphic design, interior design, architecture, fashion, and cuisine.

Painted Wings: A History of Airline Identity is on view at SFO through August 14, 2009 in the Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum. The museum, a gem on its own, is located pre-security on the Departures/Ticketing Level of the International Terminal, next to the entrance to Boarding Area A.  Admission to the museum is free.

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