We regularly hear that air journey is worse than it is ever been. Gone are the times when airplanes touted piano bars and meat carving stations — and even free meals. As a substitute we’re crammed into tiny seats and preventing for overhead house. How did we get right here? Many of the inconveniences we take into consideration after we fly might be traced again to the time frame simply after the federal authorities deregulated the airways. When industrial air journey took off within the Nineteen Forties, the federal government regulated what number of nationwide airways have been allowed to exist, the place they have been allowed to fly, and the way a lot they might cost for tickets. However the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 swept all these restrictions apart – and stopped offering subsidies for the air carriers. Airways needed to compete on ticket costs. That competitors led to a extra bare-bones flying expertise, but it surely additionally made air journey much more reasonably priced.
On this episode, we hint the evolution of air journey over the previous century to find whether or not flying actually is worse at this time — or if it is really higher than ever. We’ll board a aircraft from the “golden age” of air journey, hear the historical past of one of many unique finances airways and meet feuding airline CEOs. Alongside the best way, we’ll see how financial forces have formed the airline business into what it’s at this time, and what position we, as customers, have performed. This episode was hosted by Erika Beras and Kenny Malone. It was produced by Emma Peaslee, edited by Emily Siner, and reality checked by Sierra Juarez. Sofia Shchukina helped with reporting. Engineering by Gilly Moon. Alex Goldmark is Planet Cash’s govt producer. Assist help Planet Cash and listen to our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Cash+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney. At all times free at these hyperlinks: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or wherever you get podcasts. Discover extra Planet Cash: Fb / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly E-newsletter. Music: NPR Supply Audio – “Two for One,” “Curler Lady,” and “Maintain It Shifting”