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On the experience of the long haul flight.

A piece of humor from kottke.org. The comments are also worth a look.

https://read.scottmonaco.travel/p/please-return-to-your-seat

On the experience of the long haul flight. “The meal cart appears two hours in. You can hear it banging into passengers’ knees before you see it, and the sound causes the entire cabin to sit up slightly, like meerkats detecting motion on the savanna.”

Posted by
9505 posts

That was probably one of the more pleasant, and accurate, travel articles to read in a long time. I could completely relate to his experience, and have seen quite a number of things in economy in several dozen flights over oceans.

I willingly though suffer through, as he said "no one was here for the plane ride", it is merely, in my view, the penance before enjoying the trip.

Yes, I could afford to upgrade to whatever top-tier class, but the frugal soul inside me just cannot stand to spend thousands for a bit more room and luxury, only to get there no quicker.

Posted by
93 posts

If one is really keen to experience a true long haul flight, then QANTAS’s 22hr non stop flight Australia to the UK, might just be the ticket for you.

Posted by
716 posts

This article is so accurate. Thanks for sharing. Many relatable comments but one in particular stuck with me.

“ A child three rows back is fully unconscious, limbs splayed, sleeping better than any of us have slept in years. This is the last time in his life he will find an economy seat comfortable, and he doesn’t know it. “

Posted by
940 posts

"I know that ultimately, what I will watch is whatever the person diagonally in front of me chooses." Yup!

Posted by
1001 posts

"If one is really keen to experience a true long haul flight, then QANTAS’s 22hr non stop flight Australia to the UK, might just be the ticket for you."

Well, a couple of hours longer than 22 but close enough. And if the supersonic plane proves itself, maybe shorter.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/jul/28/qantas-plane-flies-for-more-than-24-hours-in-record-breaking-flight

Qantas plane flies for more than 24 hours in record-breaking flight

The A350 landed in Toulouse 24 hours and 24 minutes after leaving Melbourne as airline plans direct London service

edit: If it takes (a little more than) 24hrs, and it crosses back over the International Date line, could you have it landing 20 or so minutes after it's taken off?

Posted by
67 posts

The meerkat line is gold. The whole piece captures economy class misery perfectly. Socks in the bathroom line is a choice I'll never understand.