As you didn't post the total cost of a ticket with the extras you describe, I just looked it up.  A nonstop Montreal Marseille flight for just over a week from now is available at $798 return. Option Plus at $129 provides seat selection, free checked bag and priority boarding.  That's $927 -- less than $1000 to get across the Atlantic and back with just a week's notice.  A Club Seat is available for $1,650.  In 1970 dollars, these would be about $150 and $260 respectively.  Could you get across the Atlantic back in "the golden days of air travel" at those fares?  Given any thought to how the flight experience is today when somebody pays the equivalent of 1970s fares in today's dollars?