JetBlue’s (JBLU) recent decision to begin charging $7 for eco-friendly blankets and pillows on flights takes the concept of in-flight amenities to a new low.
Forty years ago complementary steak and champagne were the norm for Northeast Airlines passengers flying from Boston to Miami, says Robert Mann of president of R.W. Mann, an airline consultancy firm, in Port Washington, N.Y.
On a 727 plane, in the late 60s and early 70s, there was at least one attendant for every two dozen passengers, and plenty of legroom: All for $99 roundtrip. But while that $99 seems like a gift from the sky now, adjusted for inflation the price tag is more than $600. With the trips on that route now going for around $300, aren’t you happy times have changed?
Maybe not. The government's safety guidelines require a minimum one flight attendant per 50 seats. On a sold-out flight that can be frustrating, especially when you want to buy some $2 juice on a US Airways flight (LCC).
Years ago, flight travel was less about cost-cutting and more about red carpet treatment. Of course, those were the days when the uber wealthy flew. In the 40s and 50s, an 11 hour flight from New York to San Francisco would cost you about $301 roundtrip. Adjusted for inflation, that’s more than $2,000 dollars! And, forget shopping around. Government regulations required similar flights to cost the same amount, which means airlines were left to court you with T-Bones to stand out. And, woo they did.
