I may be taking a too long view on this, but the most
salient improvements in my flying experience have been
improved safety and improved aircraft speed. Being in
the air is quite a bit more affordable now as well.
The rest, eh, pluses and minuses, with most of the
pluses on the "good old days" side (you can expect us
ancients to chime in on this with some regularity).
==
Regarding your list:
> - Snack options on short flights in First.
Used to get a hot meal between BOS and IAD/DCA.
Sometimes even in economy as I seem to recall
in the '60s and '70s. It didn't taste so great then,
but the offerings aren't any better now, just
chintzier. The beverage selection is now worse
than ever in my experience.
> - Hard Product in First and Business.
That's a matter of preference. I slept better and more
comfortably on the "barcaloungers" than I do in the
21st century coffins or even in the suites.
> - Wifi.
Well, it didn't exist at all until fairly recently.
> - IFE.
Yes.
> - Lounge Food.
Not so in the earliest days (I went infrequently and
only as a guest then), but compared with the 2000s,
I agree.