The quick answer is that the price of airplane tickets has taken a nose dive in our lifetime. This is caused by a combination of airline deregulation (in the 80

The quick answer is that the price of airplane tickets has taken a nose dive in our lifetime. This is caused by a combination of airline deregulation (in the 80s iirc) and the slow march of fuel economy in aircraft engines. GE/P&W/RR pumped out a ~1% more efficient engine every year for 30 years and the gains have added up. Furthermore online booking cuts out the travel agent middle man. Couple this with airbnb and now travel is far more within reach to an average person. Why not spend on it.