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This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Flying was glamorous

Regarding the Nov. 20 article on flying first class: The middle of the article said how wonderful flying in the 1960s was, although at a higher price.

In 1966, the year I graduated from college, I took a round trip from San Francisco to Washington, D.C., at the then astoundingly low price of $200.

Airline fares were regulated then, but as the article said, flying was glamorous. I would say that inflation has increased overall prices by a factor of about 10 since then, which would mean that my very cheap ticket at today’s prices would be about $2,000.

But I find that I can do that same round trip on American Airlines, which I used back then, for $253. First class on today’s flight is $2,226.

But we have lost far more than $1,700 of glamour over the last 40 years.

Dennis DeMattia

Spokane

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