I flew in 1961, and it was as you described. However, everybody smoked, and free cigarettes were passed out to all passengers, even children. An advantage of flying today is that tobacco smoke doesn’t fill the cabin.
I always found the non-smoking section tolerable. Smokers, of course, would much prefer the old system.
Another thing that was MUCH better was the airport experience. fewer food stands, and no screens or wifi, but far more human.