Re the typeface. I'm not sure what the fascination is these days with the subdued grey. Every time I see that grey I feel like I need to get my glasses re-tested. It's like someone's painted it poorly, not that it's supposed to be that way.
Internet is becoming unreadable because of a trend towards lighter, thinner fonts has some details.
In summary, some online media designers like it because it looks "elegant" and "restrained", while in fact it's hard to read and obscures communication. Since only a few graphic designers at a few companies are the gateway to most of the content you see, via computer app and content design guidelines, lighter text and lower contrast becomes ubiquitous, and associated with "modern", and then people like airlines follow suit.
Lemmings over a cliff, because they couldn't read their too-trendy signs.