Madam, - Before we all get too touchy-feely about the good old days for Aer Lingus on the Atlantic, it should be remembered that (a) The Super Constellation had a penchant for losing power in at least one of its four engines during flight, leading to regular diversions and delays; (2) the average one-way fare in 1958 equated to over $1,500 in today's money, keeping transatlantic air travel in the hands of the privileged; and (c) it took 12 hours to get across at an average cruising altitude of 5,400 metres, 50 per cent of today's level and in much choppier air.
Nostalgia is great, but foggy. - Yours, etc,
JOE GILL,
Aviation Analyst,
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Goodbody Stockbrokers,
Dublin 4.