Here is a document that takes us back over 100 years, to the the beginnings of commercial aviation and, more specifically, to the first international flights - although regional - operated using seaplanes!

Here we recall the memory of the Compagnie Franco-Bilbaïne d’Aviation*, which from 1920 to 1922, using a few seaplanes purchased from the French Navy, then demilitarized, transported an average of two passengers per flight along the Basque coast, connecting Bayonne (France) to Bilbao (Spain).

This document, a boarding pass dated September 24, 1921, offers us a glimpse into the atmosphere of that time. It is not so much the handwritten details as the general conditions printed on the back that enlighten us on these flights.

Thus we can read, about the subject of passenger/crew promiscuity and about the open-air cabin: "Once on board, passengers are strongly advised not to speak to or make gestures toward the crew, not to stand up, and not to wave any objects of any kind, such as hats, handkerchiefs, gloves, etc., outside the cabin, as these could cause serious accidents."

Additionally, beyond the liability exclusions detailed in consideration of all to the numerous potential risks that may then occur during a flight, the remarkably short boarding time is notable: "Any passenger not at the boarding point five minutes before the scheduled departure time will lose his seat as well as any right to reimbursement of the amount of his ticket."

This boarding pass is the oldest I’ve ever had the pleasure to offer and perhaps the oldest you could possibly possess… !

*To learn more aboutla compagnie France-bibaïne (text in english) : Société des Transports Aéronautiques du Sud-Ouest – STASO (1919-1920) and Compagnie Franco-Bilbaïne de Transports Aéronautiques – CFB (1920-1923)