In the swingin’ early days of flying virtually all the passengers were business people and their trips were paid for by their bosses. Seats were spacious, booze was free and the stewardesses (there was no other kind) were only hired if and as long as they were young and hot. Free crap like playing cards was handed out because the passengers paid the big bucks.
The majority of Americans took a Greyhound when they traveled across the states.
Now the majority of people fly and they pay for it out of their own pockets. Seats are small because the more people you cram into a plane, the cheaper the fare can be. Perks disappear as airlines compete for the lowest price – which is what people look for on expedia and similar. Perks go out the window, maintenance is delayed, and you pay for your booze up front.
And those lucky bastards in business and first class whose seats we covet are subsidizing our cheap seats by paying stupid money for their larger area, marginally better food and free booze.
Airlines don’t go into chapter 11 for fun. They have a shockingly small profit margin since most of their customers book flights based solely on cost.
Yeah, it’s dicky to charge for a pillow, but we’re the ones that drive them to such measures.