The Joys of Flying

The speed picks up and all of a sudden, you’re in the air. The magic of flight is real and millions of people around the world experience it on a daily basis. For work, for pleasure, for work and pleasure. Heading to the airport, watching the world pass by you at 35,000 feet, and arriving at your destination hours later is one of the best ways to travel, regardless of the meaning of the trip.

There are countless variables when it comes to flying that make it the thrilling adventure that it is; however, other variables tend to be fairly mundane and run of the mill — aspects of flying that get overlooked due to the regularity of such features these days.

Practicality through Speed and Distance

Some might think it’s one of the more blasé features of flying, but the practicality of flying is one of the truly joyful benefits of flying. Because the utilization of airplanes and airports has become so normal that multiple generations are capable of speeding through the airport to their gate in no time, it really is the simplest of transportation methods to get somewhere, specifically if it’s far away.

Take, for example, if you are looking to travel from Atlanta to Dallas. It doesn’t look all that far away, but in reality, across 3.5 states, it’s that fairly short (for the United States!) but a substantial trip that isn’t necessarily an easy travel “day” apart from a short flight.

Here are the details for that trip:

• Train: This is a trick! There’s no train (which is a travesty between two large US cities such as Atlanta and Dallas). A Greyhound bus, however, services the two locales, with the trip taking over, shockingly, 19 hours.

• Car: About 12 hours

• Plane: About 2-3 hours

For those that want the long and winding road via train or highway, that can be a fantastic train trip or road trip. However, for many, spending that much time traveling can be all consuming, stressful, and impractical considering most people want to arrive at their destination and hit the ground running.

Furthermore, what really has allowed travelers to accept practicality as a benefit (and therefore a joy, at least for this author) of flying, is that international travel is easy. Imagine taking a boat from the US to Europe these days. That seems much more impractical than flying as ocean-going vessels can take over a week to get across the pond as opposed to a flight anywhere between 5.5 and 15 hours.

P.S. As an international flying tip and one of the largest benefits for anyone who flies internationally at least once a year might need, consider the Global Entry Program. Global Entry is $100 for 5 years, just $20 more than the normal TSA Pre-Check program.

Comfortability, plus In-Flight and Airport Benefits

Although it’s not as glamorous and fun as it used to be in the 1970s (aka did they put the fun in funky?), there is a level of comfortability and great in-flight and airport benefits that many people experience.

Kara and Nate, a couple that has a popular travel YouTube channel, have countless videos on traveling around the world, with a handful focused on in-flight benefits such as business class or first class. Below you’ll find a video of what business class looks like these days, plus what it’s like to have airport benefits like lounge access.

For any naysayers of economy, think about economy versus other options for a longer trip that’s hours, or days even, longer than a short flight. Economy’s comfortability factor might not be the greatest, however, even the (possibly) biggest benefit of flight — ease of travel — is still there wherever you sit on the plane.

Additionally, regardless of if you’re a first class passenger or an economy traveler, flight credit cards and having airline status allows you entrance to certain airport lounges, allowing you to experience a bit more calm and relaxation during a busy travel day.

Excitement and Thrill

Some people really don’t like traveling via airplanes while others prefer a 35k cruising altitude. For this point, we’ll lean into the latter. 

For many, flying is something that’s exciting and gives them a sense of wonder and joy. Not only is the wonder of flight a “thing” that travelers tend to enjoy, there are many others who double down and seek out information on different flight routes, learn about their favorite aircraft, or create flying into something of a hobby instead of it being more of a transactional event in their life.

It’s not just adults that have experienced the fun and thrill of flying in an airplane; just think of seeing a kid on their first plane ride and getting a set of wings to pin on their shirt… or better yet, think of YOUR first plane ride (if you can).

Remember how lovely it is to see someone have fun on their first (or third, or eighth, or etc. flight)? That childlike wonder also translates into adult life where truly enjoying a flight is sometimes what’s needed — instead of the often stressful and anxiety-ridden days at the airport.

Flexibility

Although flying isn’t nearly as flexible as a road trip, it still has some flexibility mixed in. From airline policies on changing flights and seats to your rights as a passenger regarding delays, cancellations, or simply you as a passenger wanting to change or cancel your flight, there are many ways about addressing those items. Furthermore, there’s even flexibility the day of your flight.

If you’re shrewd about your flying and the capabilities you have to not necessarily fly out on the booked or designated flight that you had paid for, there’s always standby. Say you have a flight from JFK to DEN at 8:00pm… but you would prefer to leave earlier so you have more of the day in the Denver area — or just some time to check into your hotel, have dinner, and have a nice Colorado evening.

If you arrive at the airport early enough, check with the airline your seat is booked with and ask for any other flights that are available to Denver earlier in the day. Many times it’s a simple ask and all standbys are granted their request; while other flights (usually those that are full every night of the week, for business travelers or vacation travelers) are harder to grab a seat on.

Regardless of if you’re susceptible to arriving early and hanging out at the airport, relaxing in the vibe of the atmosphere, or you’re one who shows up with five minutes to spare before the boarding doors close, there’s something about the benefits and the joys of flying that are undeniably exciting.