Opinion: George Banks on ultra long haul travel

George Banks questions whether ultra long haul flights and the quest for speed really is progress

Today’s fast pace sees travellers keen to travel the globe on quicker and quicker flights.

Qantas has Perth to London and adds Sydney non- stop this year while Singapore Airlines has Singapore to New York non-stop – in flight for 18 hours.

It is all presented as progress but beyond the novelty, is this speed really so essential when it is actually the time differences between destinations which really effect the body most, not the flying time?

Even Concorde, for all its prestige and high fares, only made money on a few routes. So why this focus on beating the clock? Many business travellers, travel website and social media posts suggest more often than not travellers rather enjoy their time in a premium seat, catching up on sleep, watching a film and enjoying a meal. And even in Economy many see the flight as part of their holiday.

Costs focus

What changed? Well I fear it’s all about cost. Non-stop flights offer lower operational costs, with reduced fuel, fewer cabin crew, less catering and savings on landing fees.

Rights to pick up and drop passengers or cargo on route have now been traded for more slots or non-stop ‘over flight’ rights so few flights stop more than once. In the past the shorter range of aircraft meant more stops. Swissair, for example, operated Geneva–Cairo-Karachi- Mumbai-Bangkok-Manila-Tokyo in the 1960s, while BOAC’s Boeing 747s in the 1970s flew a Sydney-Darwin-Hong Kong-Delhi–TehranBeirut-Frankfurt-London routing.

Flights took longer but seat pitch was good and catering was generous. Meals were uplifted fresh from some of the best hotels in the world, with no fear of ‘blast chilling’. Passengers were often served in the airport restaurant during transit.

Disembarkation in transit allows time to stretch and breathe fresh air, which is arguably better for all

Slow travel

Crew were rested and as a result, were patient and charming. Some airlines even stopped en route, with passengers and crew all staying in the same hotel. Disembarkation in transit allows time to stretch and breathe fresh air, which is arguably better for all.

Speed is not everything. And the fact that Singapore Airlines is installing space in the cabin for two bodies to be stowed in the event of anyone dying onboard during the long flight may be a cautious warning! •