My first flight was in 1979, I think, on Pan Am. I thought it was AMAZING. Certainly better than driving cross-country.
My family used to collect playing cards from flights until they stopped giving those out. Food was terrible. Still is, for the most part.
My dad flew a lot for business in the 60s and 70s, always had us kids dress up for flights. He'd wear a suit, I think. So it was classier, at least. I really don't miss that awful airport smell, which must have been partially from cigarette smokers. Still get a cloud of it as soon as I walk out of the terminal, which makes me want to vomit.