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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,047,835 times
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This is a psychological thing for me, but do you ever feel that times seems to drag on when you're confined to a plane, without much to see (especially if you don't have a window seat or you can't see anything) versus travelling by a bus, train or car when at least the scenery outside keeps you entertained? Not only that but the claustrophobia. I don't find flying a generally pleasant experience but it's a small price to pay to travel.
Of course, this mainly applies to the budget flights I tend to take where there is little entertainment.etc. But even if there are movies on it still feels longer for some reason. I generally spend it reading, listening to my ipod, but for some reason it seems longer than driving. On the way to America I watched about 4 movies but it STILL felt like ages, it was a 14 hour flight, after I'd taken a 5 hour connecting flight.
14-hour long-haul flight is a horrible experience no matter how much entertainment you get, unless you fly first class. What bothers me most is the limited legroom.
Nonstop domestic flights are okay.
For the same amount of time, flying is worse for the reasons you stated. But for the same distance, flying is almost always a better choice. To get from Texas to Los Angeles, it takes 4 hours by air, 2 days by train and 3 days by driving. Driving is boring and tiring after a few hours. Amtrak is more comfortable but very expensive if you add a room.
This is a psychological thing for me, but do you ever feel that times seems to drag on when you're confined to a plane, without much to see (especially if you don't have a window seat or you can't see anything) versus travelling by a bus, train or car when at least the scenery outside keeps you entertained? Not only that but the claustrophobia. I don't find flying a generally pleasant experience but it's a small price to pay to travel.
Of course, this mainly applies to the budget flights I tend to take where there is little entertainment.etc. But even if there are movies on it still feels longer for some reason. I generally spend it reading, listening to my ipod, but for some reason it seems longer than driving. On the way to America I watched about 4 movies but it STILL felt like ages, it was a 14 hour flight, after I'd taken a 5 hour connecting flight.
No, actually I think the time goes by faster when flying. Yes, the seats can be quite uncomfortable, especially as they keep adding more of them and I keep growing, but overall. Of course what you are talking about is a totally different situation, a flight that long, compared to a car trip would be a 2 day adventure. Most of us would stop about 1/2 way and spend the night, so of course, splitting the trip up would be more rewarding. We have done a couple of the long flights, going from the US to Hong Kong. They can be HELL. We are never going to try one again.
No, actually I think the time goes by faster when flying. Yes, the seats can be quite uncomfortable, especially as they keep adding more of them and I keep growing, but overall. Of course what you are talking about is a totally different situation, a flight that long, compared to a car trip would be a 2 day adventure. Most of us would stop about 1/2 way and spend the night, so of course, splitting the trip up would be more rewarding. We have done a couple of the long flights, going from the US to Hong Kong. They can be HELL. We are never going to try one again.
Nonstop flight from Asia to the U.S is at least 10 hours long.
Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
24,544 posts, read 56,047,835 times
Reputation: 11862
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmnita
No, actually I think the time goes by faster when flying. Yes, the seats can be quite uncomfortable, especially as they keep adding more of them and I keep growing, but overall. Of course what you are talking about is a totally different situation, a flight that long, compared to a car trip would be a 2 day adventure. Most of us would stop about 1/2 way and spend the night, so of course, splitting the trip up would be more rewarding. We have done a couple of the long flights, going from the US to Hong Kong. They can be HELL. We are never going to try one again.
My flight to the US involved a 4 hour flight from Perth to Sydney, then a 14 hour flight to LAX, including layover about 20 hours. My scheduled return journey was even more nightmarish - three legs and over 30 hours. JFK to LAX - 5 hours, LAX to Sydney, 14 hours and Sydney to Perth 4 hours. I re-scheduled my flight and broke it up. Surprisingly, I was able to sleep half the way back from LA to Sydney. The excitement of coming to America made the flight to LAX seem way longer too.
I usually sleep during my flights, time goes fast, waking up at my destination safe and sound. On a bus I would be wary of the druggie/drunk/ex-con sitting next to me.
When flying cattle class I find the time does drag even with a good book or good movies. The flights that I take are between 8 - 14 hours. On upgrades to business class though I thoroughly enjoy my trip!
Time always drags when I am bored. I read or try to sleep.
I find the time in the airport to be worse than the time on the plane. Even with long waits in the airport, I can't relax, afraid I will miss some important announcement about my flight.
I would rather fly for 10 hours than drive for 10 hours, and I'm not particularly comfortable flying either. I personally dislike driving, but I suppose if I was the passenger it would be different.
I refuse to fly economy outside of North America. If I can't get at minimum premium economy, I just won't go. My husband and I like two seats together (and aisle/window combo). He likes the window while I prefer the aisle. We read, watch a movie or two, snooze, and chat. Even a 10 hour flight is bearable in premium economy. It's downright pleasant in first class.
My dream is to fly in one of those first class suites on Emirates.
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