The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 resulted in a massive democratization of air travel, primarily by making flying significantly more affordable for the general public. Before 1978, the government-controlled fares and routes, making air travel a luxury reserved for the wealthy. After deregulation, fierce price competition between airlines caused inflation-adjusted airfares to drop by over 40% over the next few decades. This led to a "Golden Age" of access, where the number of annual passengers more than doubled. Another major positive outcome was the creation of the hub-and-spoke system, which allowed airlines to serve smaller, regional cities more efficiently by connecting them through central hubs, increasing flight frequencies. It also paved the way for the rise of Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) like Southwest and JetBlue, which further drove down prices and introduced innovative business models. Ultimately, deregulation shifted the airline industry from a "government-run cartel" into a dynamic, competitive market that made global connectivity a routine reality for the average person rather than an elite privilege.