The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978

The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 was a law that removed government control over airfares and routes for airlines in the United States. Before this act, the government decided which airlines could fly to which cities and how much they could charge. Deregulation allowed airlines to set their own prices and routes, fostering competition. This led to more choices and generally lower fares for travelers, but also contributed to fewer airlines and some challenges in service quality and stability in the industry. Overall, it changed the landscape of air travel significantly.