Some good experiences:
Newark to San Fran late 1970s, flight I was booked on was cancelled and pax were transferred to a different airline. That new service was a 747 with more cabin crew than passengers. Not only was the cabin service excellent but the CC noticed I was reading a motorsport newspaper and being a racing fan himself came to chat about it when he had no other duties.
Elided to Elided late 1970s, a small commuter airline. I was the only passenger so instead of the normal turbo-prop a piston twin was substituted. Pilot (single on that aircraft) was my flying instructor and Chief FI too. We could not do what we did in today's circumstances. Couldn't even have flown the same route at that height.
Boston to Detroit early 1980s, the air was crystal clear and as we passed Buffalo Captain Speaking announced that he had negotiated some sight-seeing with ATC. Once in right bank around Niagara Falls and another one left so everyone could get a decent view. Well worth it!
Schiphol to Cambridge mid 1990s on one of Suckling's Dornier 228s, on arrival five days earlier it had been very poor RVR so I asked the pilots about their minimums. As I looked out of the office window across the Amsterdam docks it was clear that things were deteriorating rapidly. So I phoned Cambridge with a weather report and was told that if I got to Schiphol absolutely ASAP the mid-afternoon flight would hold for me and they would arrange an escort though the airport. I made it and it was the last Sucking flight out for several days.
I would also like to thank the Captains of Qantas and Air NZ flights that have allowed me to see India from coast to coast and rather a lot of empty Pacific Ocean through their windshields.
Then came 9/11.
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