SJCguy From United States, joined Apr 2001, 579 posts, RR: 2 Posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 945 times:
What was the purpose of this name, Spaceship, fixed on the nose of their DC10's? I assume it was because back then, the DC-10 had a spaceship quality compared to the other planes....or somthing. I don't know....does anybody know?
Aeri28 From United States, joined Dec 2000, 304 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 888 times:
I would guess that back then, widebodys were a step above the single aisle planes of the day such as the 727, 737, 707, 720 and DC8 etc. They probably represented 'space' and 'comfort' for their widebody qualities. many airlines of the day named their widebody flagship aircraft names. Western had their 'Spaceships', American had their 'LuxuryLiners', Eastern had their "WhisperLiners".
CF-CPI From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 615 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 22 hours ago) and read 706 times:
I have collected brochures from that period. In the early 70s, Western was featuring "first class legspace in coach". It was a full 38" (makes MRTC look cramped ). I'm sure that was a tie-in to the 'spaceship' routine. I've got a timetable from July '72 and the cover features "Western's first class legspace is something to celebrate" ; there's a pic of a happy young couple stretching out and enjoying a glass of champagne (which was free on WA for a long time). It must have been fun.
Delta-flyer From United States, joined Jul 2001, 2673 posts, RR: 10 Reply 6, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 606 times:
In the early days of the DC-10/L-1011, coach configuration was 2-4-2 -- really spacious. Most airlines who took delivery of these wide-bodies in the early 70's couldn't fill them. Hence, CO's "pub flights", WA's "three feet for your two legs", etc.
The 2-5-2 configuration didn't really become widespread (in the US) until the latter half of the 70's.
Aeri28 From United States, joined Dec 2000, 304 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 423 times:
Actually I have a large postcard that Western put out when they first got their DC10's. It does show 2-4-2 seating and is a 'cut out' view of the interior. I could scan it to show you all, but I have no idea where to host it.
Tango-Bravo From United States, joined Jun 2001, 3328 posts, RR: 37 Reply 10, posted (6 years 4 months 2 weeks 4 days 12 hours ago) and read 382 times:
The "Spaceship" titles Western applied to their earliest DC-10s for a relatively short time had to do with extra space -- as in comfort. Around the same time Western also made a point of promoting their generous seat pitch in coach with the line "you get three feet for your two legs."
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From United States, joined Apr 2001, 579 posts, 
From Canada, joined Nov 2000, 615 posts, 
). I'm sure that was a tie-in to the 'spaceship' routine. I've got a timetable from July '72 and the cover features "Western's first class legspace is something to celebrate" ; there's a pic of a happy young couple stretching out and enjoying a glass of champagne (which was free on WA for a long time). It must have been fun. 
From Madagascar, joined Jun 1999, 1499 posts, 
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