Back in the day, the airlines were heavily regulated. The price of airline tickets was set in stone by the FAA. A flight from point A to point B must cost $X; no more, no less. (And $X was a very high price that most normal people couldn’t afford)
Because of these locked-in prices, airlines couldn’t compete on price, they could only compete on service and luxury. This is why airlines like Pan-Am existed offering the pinnacle of in-flight food, drinks and sexy stewardesses.
After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, airlines could begin setting their own destinations and prices. The cost of a ticket plummeted and suddenly flying wasn’t only for the rich and powerful, but it also became a race to the bottom. It wasn’t about who could offer the most luxurious trip, but rather the most inexpensive trip.
YellowOnline on October 26th, 2020 at 11:44 UTC »
Let's also take into account they paid 100 times more. Flying has become incredibly cheap. In Europe too cheap even.
Chez_Guy on October 26th, 2020 at 12:52 UTC »
What’s the deal with airline food??
erishun on October 26th, 2020 at 14:34 UTC »
Back in the day, the airlines were heavily regulated. The price of airline tickets was set in stone by the FAA. A flight from point A to point B must cost $X; no more, no less. (And $X was a very high price that most normal people couldn’t afford)
Because of these locked-in prices, airlines couldn’t compete on price, they could only compete on service and luxury. This is why airlines like Pan-Am existed offering the pinnacle of in-flight food, drinks and sexy stewardesses.
After the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, airlines could begin setting their own destinations and prices. The cost of a ticket plummeted and suddenly flying wasn’t only for the rich and powerful, but it also became a race to the bottom. It wasn’t about who could offer the most luxurious trip, but rather the most inexpensive trip.