Air travel has dramatically increased and prices have fallen. After deregulation, airlines reconfigured their routes and equipment, making possible improvements in capacity utilization. These efficiency effects democratized air travel, making it more accessible to the general public.

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 is widely held to have democratized air travel by significantly lowering fares and increasing flight frequency, though it also led to several "service-level" drawbacks. Before 1978, the federal government controlled routes and prices, making flying a luxury for the wealthy. Post-deregulation, intense market competition led to the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs) and the widespread adoption of the "hub-and-spoke" system, which allowed airlines to fill more seats and offer more destinations. Statistically, airfares have dropped by over 40% in real terms since deregulation started. However, these benefits came at a cost: many established "legacy" airlines went bankrupt or merged, leading to industry consolidation that can now ironically lead to higher prices on certain routes. Additionally, the "democratization" of flight resulted in more crowded planes, smaller seats, and the unbundling of services—meaning amenities like meals and checked bags that were once "free" are now extra. Overall, the result was a shift from flying as a "glamorous experience" to flying as a "utility" accessible to nearly everyone.