Textbook Page 81!

Air transport has definitely improved many folds over the years. The article on page 81 of the Geog textbook  shows how from weak, crash-likely airplanes, the idea of air transport has spread its wings to fly with the B-777-200LR aircraft. This airplane outshines others with its incredible ability to travel nearly 3000 more kilometres than them, carrying 301 passengers up to 17 466 kilometres in distance. Instead of stopping over at transport hubs for maintenance and refueling, this aircraft can travel half the globe without having to rest. Built for long distances with perhaps larger fuel tanks, more durable material and certainly more humans who can sit in their seats for hours, this aircraft has provided a platform for more research on allowing airplanes to travel further and faster.

The most obvious advantage of this plane is that because it is built for long distances, much time and money is saved. Less flight transits would result in hours saved, attracting more passengers as most people would want to arrive at their destination as quickly as possible. Money is saved as well because these planes would be built to last through long flights, meaning less maintenance and hiring less people to maintain these aircrafts. However, on the down side, airline companies purchasing the 777-200LR may profit less. Although the plane provides direct flights, attracting many customers whom are willing to pay a higher fee for the time saved, each plane can only cater to the number of people going to that specific destination. Also, direct flights are likely to be less frequent, considering the long distance travelled. Whereas, cheaper transit flights would attract a much wider range of passengers ranging from those going to that destination itself, to those taking another flight from that same destination. Also, these transit flights are likely to be more frequent, so if passengers miss a flight there would always be another available soon.