The reason I always try to upgrade to Business or First Class

This idea needs some qualification. Before the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act, airlines competed with each other in terms of quality of service; prices were fixed by the government. Since then, airlines have been competing with each other on price, which has sometimes led to predatory pricing. The result for the past 35 years has been a decreasing quality in the inflight experience, especially for passengers in coach. As numbers of flights decrease in order to maximize profits and airlines go bankrupt or merge, airline passengers are treated to a continuously-declining quality of service. But it seems most people would rather save some money and suffer for the duration of the flight. At the same time, airlines continue to add on numerous fees, so the apparently low fares aren't really that low.

Companies can compete on quality and/or on price, but when the competition is based solely on the latter, the benefit to the customer is debatable.

Southwest has recently done as AA is doing, cramming more seats on and decreasing legroom. I don't think Southwest can attack AA over this.

Airfares (and associated fees) are near historic lows. Even with bag fees, last year's average fare was 40 percent lower than it was in 1980. So says the American Enterprise Institute.

Look at this chart:



Pay particular attention to the blue line. That's how much the average ticket cost (with fees) each year. Yes, we've had a small bump the past couple years as we emerge from the artificially low prices brought about by the demand collapse of 2008 and as we deal with rising global oil prices (oil increased 29% in 2010 and another 20% in 2011). Still, it's a lot cheaper than the golden days of the 1980s and 1990s so many uninformed bellyachers misremember.

Also look at this chart:



That's how much the typical passenger paid to fly a mile for the years indicated. Again, the trend has been obvious.

By any meaningful historical measure, airfares of the past few years are as good as they've been since President Carter signed the deregulation act in 1978.

Next time you're in the market for an airline ticket to Vegas, think for a bit about how much less expensive air travel is today compared to what Americans used to pay.

This doesn't affect me, since I always fly first class.

There is nothing worse than sitting next to or between two fat smelly people in coach!!!!!

Man the smoke blowing is really getting thick coming from the mouth of Chilcoot. Hey, Mr. Know it all, how about comparing today's airfare with the airfares of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years ago? Those years are my guide when comparing today's airfares.

It's my belief that first class within the US is not even as swanky as Business class on intercontinental flights. Agreed that first here is better than coach with all the teenagers and kids. But not by much.

Sorry, can't help myself, folks. We have something new for the doc's hate list: reading.....

Agreed. At least the seat and legroom is bigger in first class or business class, although I wouldn't be surprised if the airlines shaved two or thee inches of legroom off. I have noticed on intercontinental flights the following:

1. For intercontinental flights, alcoholic drinks are no longer offered before takeoff.

2. Breakfast on first class is comparable to what was offered in coach fifteen years ago.

3. The overall class of food has gone down. Most are willing to sacrifice the food quality to be able to keep the seat size and the legroom.

I flew business class on Virgin last month and I'm flying business class on British next weekend. It's expensive as hell. The only alcoholic drink pre flight on the plane is champagne. I asked for red wine but was told they can only serve champagne. Upon more inquiry, it seemed that champagne was legal in most all places but red wine was only legal some places so they harmonized with only champagne. At least the upper class lounge is pretty cool.

I have flown First Class on Virgin America to Boston and must say It has become my favorite domestic airline.

United Airlines used to be my favorite domestic carrier and is now one of my least favorite airlines.