In 2004 (from Statista) total number of Air Travellers worldwide estimate at 1.9 Billion, in 2018, 2020 was forecast to be circa 4.8 Billion. If go back to 1995 which is really the pre Net era then it was 1.5 billion. In 1995 UK pax were 115 million, in 2019 it was 195 million.
Many people's "ONLY" flight per year was to the bucket and spade destinations in the Med or Mickey Mouse land in the US. Airports were dead outside of morning / evening rotations and holidays aside from the biggies.
In 1995 it was impossible to find someone who has been to China / Japan on holidays, now while still unusual it would not be that hard to find someone who knows someone.
The net has allowed quicker info (not always good) but also open up airline travel.
In 1979 there were approximately 10,000 employed directly in UK aviation, in 2019 this estimated at 85,000 people.