the true golden age of flying was not the 50s/60s or today. it was the 1990s. flying long haul international once a year (or multiple shorter regional flights) was still in reach for middle class americans unlike in the 50s. plane crashes were also much less common than in the 50s, as well as smoking being phased out so your not trapped in a cancer tube for 8 hours. it was also before the tsa security nightmare of today and before the constant nickel and diming we see on today's airlines. the interiors were much more comfortable before everyone was packed in like sardines now. people had free checked bags which meant people werent fist fighting over bin space like today. also since lower class white trash/hood types were too poor to fly i meant you didnt have those spirit airline brawls you see today. not to mention there were more airlines to choose from back then, unlike now where the airline industry is consolidated into 3-4 major companies while the rest are trying to fend off bankrupcy. the only thing i can think of that is better in the 50s/60s and now is the food, unfournately the food now is expensive. the only reason to buy on the plane is because the airport food is more expensive now.