Look, I’m basically a communist most of the time, but I don’t think this is a good take. I’ll admit I don’t actually know the numbers but I know air travel is expensive and not great for the planet.
It could be better, sure, but I would argue that cramming people in and offering the barest of amenities is a good thing when it comes to air travel. Yes, it sucks to be in a plane but it sucks to pollute the air too. It’s good that more people have more travel options now, and it’s good that we can get more people to more places with less fuel than ever before. We shouldn’t bitch about that, we should accept it as a necessity for getting what we want: to arrive someplace far away in an amazingly short period of time, allowing us to see more of the planet than any of our ancestors, while minimizing the harm as much as we can.
Planes are three times faster, five times longer range and 95% cheaper per mile, in real terms, than those early days.
The consumer was given the choice and they chose this. Honestly, air travel is great.
Yes, capitalism sucks. I hate being nickle and dimed for hand luggage, lottery tickets, snacks, hidden booking fees and all that shit. Some gentle regulations would be really nice, just to curb the excess.
They were and still are given a choice. I can fly from London to New York on British Airways first class or Easyjet. Consumers consistently choose the cheapest headline price.
Virtually no one could afford air travel prior to the 1960s, that’s a very large part of my point. It got affordable in the 70s and very affordable in the 80s.
In the UK, at some point during the 80s, it became normal for almost every single working family to get on a plane and go somewhere sunny once a year for two weeks. Every year. Minimum.
capitalism. next question?
actually, don’t bother! just assume the answer to why things suck is always capitalism unless you find hard evidence to the contrary.
Look, I’m basically a communist most of the time, but I don’t think this is a good take. I’ll admit I don’t actually know the numbers but I know air travel is expensive and not great for the planet.
It could be better, sure, but I would argue that cramming people in and offering the barest of amenities is a good thing when it comes to air travel. Yes, it sucks to be in a plane but it sucks to pollute the air too. It’s good that more people have more travel options now, and it’s good that we can get more people to more places with less fuel than ever before. We shouldn’t bitch about that, we should accept it as a necessity for getting what we want: to arrive someplace far away in an amazingly short period of time, allowing us to see more of the planet than any of our ancestors, while minimizing the harm as much as we can.
this lemmy gold earned my upvote.
Planes are three times faster, five times longer range and 95% cheaper per mile, in real terms, than those early days.
The consumer was given the choice and they chose this. Honestly, air travel is great.
Yes, capitalism sucks. I hate being nickle and dimed for hand luggage, lottery tickets, snacks, hidden booking fees and all that shit. Some gentle regulations would be really nice, just to curb the excess.
saying consumers were given a choice is a bit generous.
also standing planes incoming.
They were and still are given a choice. I can fly from London to New York on British Airways first class or Easyjet. Consumers consistently choose the cheapest headline price.
You can also buy a Ferrari over a Honda, doesn’t mean everyone can afford it making it not a choice at all.
Virtually no one could afford air travel prior to the 1960s, that’s a very large part of my point. It got affordable in the 70s and very affordable in the 80s.
In the UK, at some point during the 80s, it became normal for almost every single working family to get on a plane and go somewhere sunny once a year for two weeks. Every year. Minimum.
Ok, fair point. Just came off a little weird to me.
Sorry, I know I’m not always the clearest. :)
Happens to me too! Sometimes it’s hard to put thoughts to words and shit
Totally, soviet planes where known from luxury and totally not from accidents /s