The unbundling of air travel

My memories of air travel in the ’70s are of a special experience; we joked about meals but in fact they weren’t bad, kids got activity packs with airline badges, drinks were complimentary and there was a sense of occasion to the whole thing.

Today you’ll be asked to pay for checked bags, a very rudimentary boxed snack on board must be paid for, as must alcoholic drinks, if you want extra legroom that can be had for a price as can preferential boarding. Everything is negotiable for a price, and yet flying is more expensive now than ever before.