Someone PM'd me and asked me why this is a valuable exercise. Well, lets look at the mythical $300 fare cited above. 15 years ago on paid $300 bucks for a ticket. That was ones total cost, you may have bought it from a travel agent, in which case Delta threw up to 16% back to the agent depending on all sorts of thresholds and commission deals ( so that was something like $252). You were served a meal, which according to most airlines cost the airline something between $7-15 per person (so lets average it to $10 .... $242 to Delta). Delta operated dozens of CRC's. They also operated dozens of CTO's for your convenience. The plane you flew on had one or two MORE FA's, who in fact 15 years ago made about 20% more than they did today. The pilots also made slightly more 15 years ago then they did today. Delta's overall fuel efficiency due to many measures has increased by at least 30% since then. 15 years ago DL was paying the same or less for most of its gates and leases. Everyone was entitled to 2 pieces at 70 lbs on all flights and they really didn't care if you checked 3 pieces most of the time.

Look at that $300 fare today. Delta pays no commissions, and in fact in many cases you are getting hit for a $25 service fee. With few exceptions there are no meals. Wanna check a bag over 50lbs, they'll be a fee. A third bag, that'll be another fee. Over 50 lbs, yet another fee. On top of that $300 depending where/how your flying they'll be a fuel surcharge (every flight will have that soon). Etc.

So what hypothetically cost you $300 15 years ago (and netted DL maybe $230 at the end of the day) could cost you $500 today (for example). Again, all airlines are doing this, however I am trying to glean from the community exactly what has been cut over the years. I should also note to the newer osters that the euphanism "enhancements" is almost universally used at FT for cuts or other ways to diminish service, and was the spirit in which I posted it.

Again for those who don't get it, all airlines are doing this, but I wanted to do this survey from a DL point of view.