The very first flight I ever took was when I was 11 in 1979 and it was a red eye LAX-IAD 707-320B (was suppose to be a DC-10 but they were grounded because of the ORD crash). I remember we got a snack tray with meats and cheeses when we took off (my first experience with wax covered cheese - lol) and then breakfast before arrival.

HP used to have free booze on all flights back in the day. It was a big deal having the "new" overhead tv monitors down the center ceiling of some 733's for their IFE back in the late 80's.

I remember USAir after they took over PSA served breakfast on short flights, even LAX-PHX!

These are just a few of my memories.

Nowadays you're lucky to get anything "free" for food. Some IFE is inclusive, some isn't depending on the airline. Lots of things have changed since I started flying thats for sure. I cant imagine someone that's been flying for 30+ years, the changes they have seen and such.