Bags | TWA Travel Bags (US)

The red TWA travel bag with “The Beatles 'To The USA' August 1965” printed on it became a famous souvenir from the band’s second trip to America. Trans World Airlines (TWA) made these bags just for the Beatles’ flight (TWA Flight 703) from London to New York on August 13, 1965—these were never sold in stores. The Beatles started their tour two days later with a huge concert at Shea Stadium. When Pan Am got plenty of attention after flying the Beatles to America in 1964, TWA’s Bill Liss wanted his airline to get some of that spotlight, too.

Liss coordinated the production of these special TWA-Beatles flight bags and gave them to the group, their entourage, and other VIPs. "We wanted to take advantage of the situation like Pan-Am did, so we had special bags made."

Bill remembered that the Beatles and their crew didn’t act like big stars. "They were good, decent people, and truly there wasn't anything unusual about them.  Very unpretentious."

TWA only made a handful of these red bags with the tour date and logo in white. They gave them out to John, Paul, George, Ringo, manager Brian Epstein, the NEMS staff, roadies like Neil Aspinall and Mal Evans, crew members like Alistair Taylor and Alf Bicknell, reporters, and the flight crew, although the Beatles' entourage bags didn’t have names. TWA snapped photos of the Beatles with their bags at the airport and on the plane to get extra publicity.

"Paul was very quiet, and Ringo, relatively effusive,” Liss said.  “Paul was doing some writing, and I sat next to him for a while.  All four were polite; George was particularly friendly."

Liss said Brian Epstein sat up front and kept an eye on everyone, but that didn’t stop the Beatles from having fun. Bill said, “Ringo started a food fight, and everyone else jumped in—they were all throwing food at each other.”

The original 1965 bags were made from thick woven cloth, not vinyl, so they held up well. Each bag was about 11 by 14 inches, with a front pocket, soft lining, white trim, and strong metal zippers. The outside had a thin coating to help keep water out. If you find a real 1965 bag today, it will probably feel textured, look faded, and have some frayed seams. TWA gave the Beatles special bags with their full names and “M.B.E.” on the back to honor the award they got from Queen Elizabeth II.

You can easily spot fake or newer versions of these bags. In the 1980s and 1990s, companies made copies from thin, shiny plastic or vinyl with printed designs. Real 1965 bags use woven cloth, have a textured feel, and have stitched linings. Many bags on display in memorabilia shops and restaurants are these later vinyl versions. Most copies show only the band members’ first names on the back, not their full names and “M.B.E.”. Even though these 1980s vinyl bags aren’t real originals, some Beatles fans collect them because they cost much less than the rare 1965 bags.

TWA Skyliner Magazine – August 30, 1965 – Page 2"Beatlemania Aboard 703 Beats 007 Adventures"

The following was published in the August 30, 1965, TWA Skyliner Magazine (a magazine given out to employees of TWA)

High above the cloud layer over the North Atlantic, the outside temperature registered minus 68 degrees F, but inside the cabin of Flight 703 on August 13 things were fever-pitched.

The Beatles: George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and their entourage had taken refuge in the Royal Ambassador section of the London-New York flight.

Only a thin partition restrained 120 eager Beatlenuts in the rear section, who at the very least hoped to catch a glimpse of the famous group up front. In an effort to divert the attention of the newly formed airborne Beatles fan club, public relations representative Bill Liss employed the tactic of handing out autographed photos and Beatle record albums to the teenagers aboard. The ploy worked like a tranquilizer.

Except for one young lady in the 2nd row, who spent half of the flight on tiptoe, trying to see over the partition. When she thought she saw the hair on the head of Ringo Starr, she let out a scream, then settled into a satisfied trance the remainder of the flight. She could care less that she missed the movie, "Operation Crossbow."

Up front in the cockpit, shortly after take-off, Captain Jack Hulburd opened a sealed envelope of instructions from the Port of New York Authority. The dimmed cockpit, with its dials and switches, provided a perfect James Bond setting.

The veteran pilot unfolded a map of Kennedy Airport, marked by the PNYA with eight possible parking points. Not until later would he be given final landing instructions, and then, to frustrate anyone who tuned in on the tower-to-aircraft radio, only a code number.

As Flight 703 approached New York, the secret word was finally relayed, "Number 8," which turned out to be a point on a taxi strip two miles removed from the International Arrival Building.

Hostess Gisa Kothe, who is Miss New York Press Photographer and Queen of the Forest Hills Music Festival, first peered out to see if the coast was clear. As the Beatles braved the way out of the door and deplaned, Paul McCartney turned to her and said, "Thanks so much, luv, for a wonderful flight."

You might also like: Beatles TWA Ashtray

#faBgear #nemsmemorabilia #MarkItfaB @NEMSmemorabilia #ItsafaBfaBfaBfaBworld #BeatlesMemorabilia www.fabgear.company 🔷 Beatles 🔷 NEMS