The good old days of air travel ...

[CtheW0rld]

But for a really classy aviation experience:

 

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/yorkshire-airlines/512a7d864ec567a72d6e512a7d864ec567a72d6e-1695493390757

 

that looked too funny. i can't wait to get home and play it with the sound on.

[Gardyloo]

Or our old standby, SkyHigh Airlines, http://www.skyhighairlines.com/main.asp

[Globaliser]

 

This was advertising BA's sale fares in 1974.

 

£371 to Australia in 1974 money = about £3,000 today. But today's fares have recently been as low as £369 in today's money, and can generally be relied on to start from the £600 region.

 

£75 to the US in 1974 money = about £600 today. But today you can reliably fly to the US for about £300 in today's money, and not so long ago reliably for about £200.

 

The real marvel is that air travel is faster, more convenient and safer than it was then. Most of the hassle is the result of the pressure of numbers; we wouldn't even notice the increased security requirements if security processed as few passengers as it did then. But inevitably, if you pay a pittance of a fare, something's going to give.

 

Apologies for the injection of some facts. Now back to our regularly-scheduled programming.

[marchanxiety]

Thank you for injecting a note of sanity to this thread. I often get the feeling that people expect large seats, great food, free baggage, and complete security for almost nothing. I remember when the coach service was much better than it is now, but it cost the same as now, or usually more, in unadjusted dollars.

[kenish]

Adding to Globaliser and others' comments....there are quite a few airlines that have offered comfy seats, good food, no added fees, etc. at a higher but reasonable fare. Several examples are Legend and EOS. None of them survived more than a few years. When a premium product is offered, the flying public goes for the low, low fares.

[LHP]

And -- as one flight attendant said, "When I started this job I was issued white gloves, now I'm issued plastic handcuffs."

 

WOW...sad, but true !!!

[LHP]

One of the perks of hubby being a frequest flyer with Delta is that we get TWO bags EACH free. That would be 6 free bags for the 3 of us....I can actually PACK !!!

[FlyerTalker]

One of the perks of hubby being a frequest flyer with Delta is that we get TWO bags EACH free. That would be 6 free bags for the 3 of us....I can actually PACK !!!

Not just 2 bags, but two bags at 70 pounds each. If upgraded to F, that increases to THREE at 70 pounds.

 

And yes....I don't pack light.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Not just 2 bags, but two bags at 70 pounds each. If upgraded to F, that increases to THREE at 70 pounds.

 

And yes....I don't pack light.

 

Such perks do not come at a cheap price and are unavailable to most fliers. Of course anyone could purchase a plane and take 50 suitcases and a small elephant at no additional charge.

 

SW doesn't care if you are a first time flier or if you have flown a zillion miles - your first two bags fly free. SW fees for overweight and/or extra bags, even pets are significantly lower than the legacy, good old boys airlines.

 

In the good old days, SW baggage allowance was 3 bags @ 70 pounds.

 

Today, 5 bags @ 70 pounds on SW would cost an extra $350 - outrageous until one looks at Delta...

 

On Domestic Delta flights (apples to apples) only $1030???? and even more if you use curbside check-in or fail to check-in online and prepay the King's ransom. And that wasn't including the cat.

 

Oh for the good old days before the Internet and before companies were too big to fail.