In the early 20th century, commercial airplanes featured wicker chairs for seating, chosen for their light weight, durability, and ventilation—ideal for aircraft with limited engine power and payload capacity.
These seats, often lined with leather for easier cleaning, reflected the tastes of wealthy passengers and echoed the stylish furnishings of sunrooms and patios. As aviation technology advanced, airlines began adding padding and leather to improve comfort, eventually replacing wicker with aluminum-framed seats and, by the mid-1930s, rubber-covered foam became standard. Initially loose within the cabin, wicker chairs were later secured to the floor to prevent movement during turbulence, marking a shift toward safer, more sophisticated aircraft interiors.
h/t: vintag.es