These days it takes about 5 hours to travel coast to coast across North America, but in 1929 the fastest route took at least 48 hours. This very cool map was given to passengers who traveled on Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT) across the continent. The fold-out map was also designed to be a flight log, travel guide, and souvenir certificate of completing a journey only a privileged few could undertake.
The 48 hour+ transcontinental trip involved daytime flights on loud and uncomfortable Ford Tri-Motor airplanes and overnight travel on luxury sleeper trains.
By 1931, TAT—whose investors included Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh—was taken over by Western Air Express. After losing millions of dollars on the route the concept was dropped.
Interesting.