I am riding the tram at MIA looking at all the equipment at gates & thinking how much utilization was lost before airlines went to the hub and spoke model & adding all these international redeyes. Equipment utilization creates jobs, causes carriers to invest in more equipment (more jobs) and makes flying more affordable, despite the increased fuel costs today.
I mean a flight today is roughly equal to what a flight was 30 years ago not even adjusting for inflation. Yeah, international first class is a different ballgame but for road warriors, families and eager travelers, the opportunities are there.
I may also have been coming from the lounge…
Then again seeing this woman and her bare feet everywhere on my earlier flight along with her entitlement reinforces that flying shouldn’t be for everyone.