Why is Air travel terrible today?

Question

In the old days the food was really good and now days the food is terrible. Many times you don’t even get food unless it is long flight.
 
And planes where very roaming in the old days. There was lots and lots of airline companies to choose from and now there is only about 5 airline companies to choose from today.

RICK · Answer

Deregulation 
Service went down hill starting when Airlines were deregulated

Redstone · Answer

Money. It is all about the money. The management that runs the airlines are trying to wring out as much revenue from each flight as possible. Food and leg-space was the easy thing to squeeze out.

Plus a number of airlines was subject to either mergers or bankruptcy. (I remember when there was still PanAm, Eastern Airlines, TWA, Braniff, etc.)

D.E.B.S. · Answer

The food has been horrible for 40+ years in my experience.  The domestic flights who offer meals to purchase has 100 times better food than the old 'free' stuff.  Airlines shouldn't be in the catering business and they realized it.  Bringing your own food much smarter.

MS · Answer

Money.

It's cheaper to provide less (or no) food.  
It's more profitable to cram in a lot of seats and therefore get more passengers per flight.
Airlines that could not profit were bought out by others that could, reducing the number of available airlines.

Joseph · Answer

You want inexpensive air travel?  Then you'll have to live with no legroom and a pack of peanuts with half a can of soda for your in-flight meal.  Or you can buy a first class ticket and enjoy a private suite with a lay flat seat and a steak dinner.

Billybean · Answer

Money. Plain & simple. You want to pay as little as possible so in return the airlines give you as little as possible.

Notoversmart · Answer

It was okay I guess . Life is too short to be this alone and sad

Why is Air travel terrible today?

7 Answers