Hong Kong TWA | 1960s

Hong Kong – Fly TWA, 1960s, by David Klein

This vivid TWA travel poster presents a kaleidoscopic vision of 1960s Hong Kong, illustrated in David Klein’s signature collage-like style. The composition is packed with cultural motifs: red-sailed junks crowd Victoria Harbour, a Peking opera mask dominates the foreground, and traditional Chinese architecture, including a pink pagoda, is nestled alongside dragons, rickshaws, and street scenes. The colour palette is rich and saturated — dominated by reds, purples, and oranges.

Commissioned by Trans World Airlines, this poster was part of a global series aimed at showcasing exotic destinations accessible via TWA routes. During the 1960s, Hong Kong was cementing its role as a key East Asian hub — a former British colony where Western travellers were drawn by a blend of colonial modernity and deeply rooted Chinese traditions. The use of theatrical and mythological imagery, from opera to dragons, speaks to a Western audience’s romanticised view of the East.

David Klein (1918–2005) was a leading figure in American commercial art, particularly known for his work with TWA. He began his career illustrating Broadway theatre posters before transitioning to travel advertising, where he developed a style defined by vibrant colours, stylised forms, and montage-like arrangements. Klein's posters for TWA are now recognised as classics of mid-century graphic design and have been acquired by institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art.