Air travel's 'golden age' featured steak dinners, cocktails and formal attire for sophisticated travelers

Conversations about flying today are sparking memories of nostalgic times in the skies and the ways in which travel has changed over the years.

A Reddit user recently posted a message in the "r/aviation" forum, asking, "So were the airlines of the 'golden ages' operating at a massive loss?"

"Pan Am, for example, lasted 64 years (1927-1991)," the person went on. "Pan Am and similar airlines offered spacious seating arrangements, proper cutlery and fine dining. Not to mention [that] being an airline crew [member] was prestigious, and I'm to assume that meant [a] competitive and subsequently high-paid profession."

"Look how the passengers are dressed," commented one user.

Another user wrote, "Flights [were] mainly for wealthy people. Tickets were really expensive."

Another Redditor claimed, "In the '50s, airlines started doing 'themed' flights with a menu to match, and some Scandinavian airlines would even carve a whole ham in front of you. The '50s-'70s was really the Golden Age for travel where the food became a huge selling point of flying."

Former flight attendant and Florida-based etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore also emphasized that flying was once a luxury experience.

Whitmore added, "Many passengers lack civility and common courtesy. Some treat the cabin crew like servants. Passengers eat whatever they want, regardless of whether it smells or not."

She also said, "Seats are getting smaller and are more uncomfortable, giving passengers less leg and arm room. If you want anything special (early boarding, more leg room), you have to pay for it. Everything is now 'extra.'"

Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert and author of the blog "View From the Wing," told Fox News Digital it's easy to look back at the early days of air travel "through rose-colored glasses."

He also pointed out that technological advances allow passengers to be entertained while in the air with personal TVs in their seats.  

"You didn't have federally controlled mandates and high taxes," commented one user.

Another user wrote, "The airline deregulation act made those days go away. It made travel cheaper and more accessible for the average traveler."

"Most people misunderstand the regulated era of airlines," said Leff.