Why Do Flights Today Last Longer Than 40 Years Ago?

When it comes to modern air travel, an interesting phenomena has surfaced that goes against the expectations of our technologically evolved time. Once a mere two- and- a- half-hour trip in 1973, the path from New York to Houston now takes four slow hours. From the misty coastlines of London to the rocky scenery of Edinburgh, and from the energetic streets of Madrid to the busy avenues of Barcelona, this contradictory extension of flight times penetrates the heavens across continents.

Our minds naturally follow a logical question as we consider this mystery: How is it possible that our airborne adventures are lengthening rather than shortening in a time of unheard-of technological development? The solution, dear reader, is a complicated tapestry of elements where one thread, the unstoppable increase of oil prices, stands out in strong relief.

Imagine a time when aviation gasoline was as freely flowing as water and a gallon only cost seventy cents. Now fast forward to a time when that same gallon commands a princely three bucks. Airlines have been forced by this harsh economic reality to rethink their policies, which resulted in an odd answer: flying slower to save their financial situation.

This apparently little change has far from little effect. Imagine Jetblue, an American airline that, by running each of its flights just two minutes, was able to accumulate savings of $13.6 million in 2008. This amazing number is evidence of the strength of little changes taken on a large scale.

But Jetblue is not by itself in this effort. Four years ago, Ryanair, the Irish low-cost carrier, made news when it came out that their pilots had been directed to add an extra two minutes to every flight. Although the typical passenger would not find this significant, Ryanair’s bottom line suffers nothing less than amazing cumulative impact.

Known as “padding,” this habit has spread over the airline business rather widely. Airlines have to strike a careful balance between the possible negatives of longer flight times and the fuel savings. As we discover ourselves spending more time above than our colleagues from decades past, our view of air travel subtly but significantly changes.

We are reminded of the complex dance between technological development and economic reality as we consider this metamorphosis of our airborne experiences With each minute added as a brushstroke in a greater masterpiece of financial discipline, the heavens above us have become a canvas upon which airlines paint their survival and success strategies.

Ultimately, the increasing flight times act as a moving reminder that advancement is not always straight forward. Sometimes we have to slow down, enjoy the trip, and value the intricate interaction of elements forming our contemporary environment. Knowing that we are players in a great experiment in efficiency, one spanning time zones and continents, permanently altering the face of air travel, helps us to relax as we settle into our seats for that somewhat longer flight.