TWA Travel Posters: David Klein and the Art of Selling the Jet Age

TWA's best travel posters did not spend much time explaining aircraft specifications. They sold something much more powerful: the feeling that New York, Los Angeles, Paris or Switzerland had suddenly become reachable.

David Klein

Designer David Klein became closely associated with TWA's mid-century advertising. His posters range from illustrative destination scenes to highly graphic compositions that seem to vibrate with the energy of the jet age.

New York, 1960

Klein's 1960 New York design is the obvious masterpiece: the city reduced to coloured fragments of light, with Times Square rendered as movement rather than architecture.

One airline, many destinations

The pleasure of TWA collecting is seeing how a consistent corporate identity accommodates completely different places. Los Angeles, Switzerland and New York do not need to look alike; the campaign sells the excitement of reaching each one.

Original printing matters

Famous TWA designs have been reproduced extensively. Check the date of the physical sheet, dimensions, printing and campaign details rather than assuming an old image means an old poster.

See our travel poster buying guide and authenticity guide.

Why TWA still looks so good

The posters are optimistic without being polite. They were commercial advertisements with a very clear job, but designers such as Klein gave them enough personality to survive long after the airline campaign ended.

Explore the posters featured above: TWA Germany · TWA Orient · TWA London. You can also explore our collecting guide, authenticity guide, condition guide and framing guide.