Originally Posted by KoKoBuddy

Consumers have won, although they may not realize it. Price is the determining factor for the vast majority of travelers. Less luxury = lower cost. The market has spoken; people want cheap flights and are willing to go without the freebies they used to get in exchange for lower fares. Oh sure they love to complain, but that's because people always love to complain about something.

In the end the free market has worked. People want cheap flights. They got cheap flights. If some day the people collectively decide they're willing to pay more to get more the airlines will respond to market forces.