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Aviation History
1939
1939 - 1853.PDF
6io The new Im perial Airways building has an appearance suited to the importance of air transport. ffifl (gEfi? JUNE 15, 1939 WHERE new and prospective air travellers are con cerned it is essential that they should be given, from the very start, the right idea of entirely effort less super-first-class travel. The new Imperial Air ways building in Buckingham Palace Road should certainly give that impression, and will do away with a great deal of the somewhat second-class meanderings that have been necessary in previous years. Although every passenger arriving at the old Airway Terminus received all pos sible attention and had no further worries, he or she, never theless, was not likely to be particularly impressed, since it was dark and somewhat on the small side. To-day the traveller, whether for Empire or European destinations— presumably British Airways' pas sengers will eventually make use of the new building—feels, as soon as he enters the main hall of the new Air ways House, that this air transport business is something really big and important. In this hall is everything that the passenger could possibly re- The main features of the new building from the passenger's point of view are best seen in this position plan. The European or internal service traveller joins the coach at the end of the book ing hall, while the Empire passenger steps down to the special train waiting at the platform behind the hall. IMPERIAL HEADQUARTERS The New Airways House is Ready for the New Regime quire, while the amount of moving necessary to enter either the coach for Croydon or the train for South ampton is negligible. On arrival, the passengers' luggage is taken away and travels by its own routes to the respective conveyance, while the passenger merely waits until loud speakers announce the im pending departure either of the train or of the coach. Almost equally important is the fact that the new building, though of simple design, is architecturally dis tinctive, with its curved facade, tower, and impressive main en trance. During the past few years pre vious premises have been rapidly overflowed, and for some time the variegated work involved in running this airline concern has been carried out at a number of outlying premises, in addi tion to the main centre. From now on administration and operations will be cen tralised in the new building— though this has already proved to be on the small side for the merger company, and suitable extensions are being made. Needless to say, the site was chosen primarily because of its central position and direct access to Victoria Station, whence the Southampton trains leave for the flying-boat base. Few people who have not actually travelled by the Empire services realise that special trains are run for these right down to the appropriate dock at Southampton, and the platform at Victoria is, in fact, part and parcel of the new building. When the building was first planned, the need for keeping the necessary vehicles off the main road alongside was duly remembered. There is a covered approach for arrival by private car or taxicab, while similar accommodation at the south end of the building is available
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