If airfare returned to the level of, say, 35 years ago (corrected for inflation), the short answer is a whole lot less people would be flying. And that means that a whole lot fewer people would be employed in the airline business. That means a whole lot of those grumpy, unhappy airline employees would be grumpy, unhappy, and unemployed.
Working in the airline business in the 60's and 70's was a sweet gig for those who could get it. But not many got it. Similarly those that could afford to fly got a nice experience. But not many could afford it.
