I suppose in many ways, the air filter is more important than the oil filter. After all, plenty of vehicles existed in the past and many small engines exist today without oil filtration. I don't see any engines without air filtration.
As for Fram, no, my view is they make excellent air filters, at least for the applications I've run across over the years. I use mostly Wix when it comes to oil filters, but I stopped buying their air filters years ago. They seemed to be a tad skimpy on the filtering medium with the round filter in my old LTD - they only way they could have used less media was to actually eliminate the pleats altogether and just wrap one strip of media around the circumference.
After that, I stuck to Motorcraft and Fram. That's not to say Wix air filter haven't improved. They may have. They may also be better or have been better for other applications. For mine, I was unimpressed and the Fram actually came with a cheaper price and better build. I wasn't even able to look at a current Wix for my G, since none were in stock, and I got the Fram on special order for next to nothing. I just checked - it was $12 a pop. Best price I can get for OEM is $18 a piece. I had a spare Wix air filter laying around for my Audi, but never got much of a look at it. I installed a Mann, and that was such a chore I vowed to never perform an unnecessarily early air filter change on that vehicle again. The Wix looked fine, but I never got to check its fit, or really examine the seals.
For my G, I've been satisfied with the Frams. They're sturdy enough that handling them isn't like handling a wet sponge. They're also not so rigid that they don't seal or can't be manipulated into position, either. Their sealing surfaces are nice and pliable, sealing very well, and held up very well, looking brand new after the one year interval.
I wouldn't use a low end Fram filter (XG is another animal). I wouldn't use a Fram PCV valve. I have no hesitation about using their air filters, though.