The aviation industry has come a long way in a short amount of time. We read in history books about the Wright Brothers, and we see Howard Hughes in movies, yet it is hard to fathom a time when there were not big, fancy jets that safely transported everyone around the world.

Yes, airports, airlines, and airplanes have seen some huge changes in the past several decades. In fact, some of the ones down below are unrecognizable; they went from tiny buildings and single runways to these over-the-top complexes that boast stores, restaurants, movie theaters, art pieces and more.

Still, it is neat to think about what was and to fully appreciate, even more, what we get to experience today.

20 Albany International Airport's Modern Update

Here is a great example: Back in the day, this was just a small piece of land, where some innovative people thought to build an airport. Now, though, the Albany International Airport is modern and marvelous.

19 Amsterdam Airport's Growth

An airport is a place to check luggage, show tickets and then board a plane. A lot of wait time comes with this process, too. It is certainly nice to see current airports, like Amsterdam's, which offer up entertainment and comfy chairs for those who wait on their flights.

18 Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's Big Change

Austin first had the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, from 1930 to 1999, and then, the Austin–Bergstrom International Airport opened. That being said, this city certainly saw a big airport change, with a whole new building, location, and name!

17 Baneasa Airport's New Look

Yes, planes really used to look like this. It is sort of weird to think about, huh? It is certainly strange when we currently have big, fancy, contemporary luxuries in 2019, like the Baneasa Airport.

16 Boston Logan International Airport's Expansion

As mentioned, most modern-day airports are now actual complexes; there are buildings for the planes, for the people, for public parking, and for behind-the-scenes tasks, too. Just look at how much the Boston Logan International Airport expanded!

15 Chicago Midway Airport's Transformation

Even if this before photo was not in black and white, one would still be able to tell that this was years ago. All the clues in the after photo, though, show a true transformation; from the bright planes to the tall buildings, really take in Chicago Midway Airport.

14 City Airport Bremen Grew A Bit

This is another fun example with a bit of a change. There were a couple of small buildings and a small place, and now at City Airport Bremen, there are numerous buildings with large lettering, glass walls, parking zones and more.

13 College Park Airport Looks A Little Different

When imagining where planes used to be kept, this is probably what comes to mind: the rounded wooden buildings, as seen back in the day at College Park Airport. It all looks a little different in today's time, though, doesn't it?

12 Hamburg Airport Is Unrecognizable

Plus, an airport can't just be this basic place anymore. There are expectations as well as a bit of a competition. It needs to offer up what people want and need, and it needs to look as cool as the Hamburg Airport does now.

11 Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport Got Fancy

Here is another one of those round-top buildings, which has been replaced with so, so, so much. One replacement at the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport was this fancy rotunda, a true stand-out element.

10 John F. Kennedy International Airport Changed With The Times

In 1948, New York got the New York International Airport, which was also called the Idlewild Airport. After 1963, it got a new name, the one we know today: the John F. Kennedy International Airport.

9 Kingsford-Smith Airport's Contemporary Shift

The Kingsford-Smith Airport is one of those that has gone super contemporary inside. Just the expansion of this place and the new, grand buildings would have been enough of a change… but they took it to the next level!

8 LaGuardia Airport: From Art Deco To... This

This is the coolest photo, comparing an amazing art deco building to an airport that is like a city. There was the Glenn H. Curtiss Airport, which became the North Beach Airport. That changed to the New York Municipal Airport–LaGuardia Field, but it is now, of course, called LaGuardia Airport.

7 Los Angeles International Airport Became Something New

LAX is a well-known place, and it, too, became something entirely new. As technology and times changed, the airport had to, as well… and it certainly did, didn’t it?

6 Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport's Flourishing

Back in the day, those in the industry maybe only needed one building. In today's time, though, airports do and provide so much, giving us locations such as the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

5 O'Hare International Airport Made Some Changes

Furthermore, it is always fun to see what lies inside an airport. There are always rows of chairs and restaurants. There are probably stores, including high-end designers ones. And there may even be a dinosaur, like at O'Hare International Airport.

4 Paris-Le Bourget Airport: Old Vs. New

It is time to look at some of that classic construction again and then compare it to what we have today. Just look at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport… a total change.

3 Pearson Field's 21st-Century Makeover

Think about going to this before picture and flying out of there. Then imagine going to Pearson Field and being greeted with all of this before a flight. Wow!

Airports clearly look different now, but they also feature so many new and exciting things, as seen by Rome Ciampino Airport; people scan tickets on their phones and walk through scanners and then will surely get to watch a movie while on the plane.

1 Stinson Municipal Airport Looks A Bit Updated

Yes, all of these locales, including Stinson Municipal Airport, have grown and evolved over time. It has been wonderful to see aviation advancements, and we sure are glad that we have these after photos to experience and enjoy!