We first began flying paid J (points or cash) in 1996. There were couples of our vintage I was 50) then and some older couples certainly not all business travellers. We do notice more couples of our vintage now but definitely more younger folk and families.
However I don't think you can just blame the airlines and their loyalty schemes for this. Same is apparent in fine dining restaurants for example. Definitely in hotels but that may be at least in part be due to their loyalty programs.
The biggest change I have noticed is in individual behaviour. When I was young we followed some rules such as in Sydney walking on the left. But I always gave up my seat on public transport for the elderly and women -even those just a few years older than myself - As well as opening doors for the same demographics.
Now when I hold open a door for a younger woman I am more likely to be abused than thanked. not uncommon is a comment such as I am able to do that myself to which I reply Sorry but i mistook you for a lady.
On trains and busses it is extremely rare for a younger person to offer their seat to us. More likely on entering a train or bus a younger person or child will push past us to get to the empty seat first. This occurs in Asia as well. In fact probably a bit worse there.
So I think the major problem is that more people are likely to put their own interests first and couldn't give a fig for others discomfort. Just an aside My sister flew QF LHR-SYD eaarly last week. She was upgraded to first. She sat across the aisle from VH. She was the second person to use the lavatory. The first was a young woman. When my sister got there the loo had not been flushed and water all around the basin.
So flame away.
