In the early 20th century, commercial airplanes used wicker chairs for passenger seating because the lightweight, durable, and ventilated material was ideal for early aircraft design. These simple wicker seats, often with leather linings for easier cleaning, were common until the late 1930s, when more comfortable, padded, and lighter aluminum seats began to replace them.
Early aircraft had less powerful engines and smaller payloads. Wicker was an extremely lightweight material, which helped keep the overall weight of the plane down and allowed it to carry more passengers or mail.
Flying was a novel and expensive activity, appealing to the wealthy who were accustomed to fine home furnishings. Wicker furniture was a common, stylish choice for patios and sunrooms of the era, and its inclusion gave airplane cabins the feel of a flying parlor or living room.
The use of basic wicker chairs began to change as aircraft design and air travel evolved. In the late 1920s, airlines began adding leather lining and padding to the wicker seats to increase passenger comfort and make them easier to clean.
As early as 1930, the Aluminum Company of America created a lightweight aluminum-framed passenger seat. With the introduction of the iconic Douglas DC-3 in 1936, rubber-covered foam seats became the industry norm, replacing wicker entirely.
While early wicker chairs were sometimes simply placed in the cabin, they were eventually fastened to the floor to prevent them from moving around during turbulence.
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