What It Was Like to Fly as a Black Traveler in the Jim Crow Era

The early days of air travel seemed more welcoming to Black travelers as planes became more common and began to supersede the railroad. This newfound feeling of acceptance was short-lived as the ways of Jim Crow and segregation moved from busses and rail travel to the skies as well. Even well know African Americans were subject to the discriminatory practices of the time. Jackie Robinson, the first Black professional baseball player, and his wife were bumped from their flight in New Orleans during a layover and then removed from the second flight in Florida during a fueling stop to make room for white travelers.