My air travel today

[mtbc]

In my previous life as a defense contractor the Federal government paid for me to visit customers in and around American military bases. Although my personal finances are now tight, I still get to take airplane flights thanks to funding from family, friends and work. I am thus spending Saturday morning here at London Gatwick though I shall post this entry later on as only ninety minutes' free wifi is not enough to make me reread what to do with iw. I should arrange a cheatsheet for myself.

It feels strange to take a flight within such a small country. We probably spent as much time traveling to London as we did circling in a holding pattern once there. It made me wonder to what extent the resulting pollution and the share of indirect and direct government subsidies differ for a similar intercity journey when comparing air travel with the railways: is public infrastructure investment more generous to the worse polluters? Perhaps this journey is another case in which I save (others') money by harming the environment more. Though, while one can take the train instead, it takes many hours and perhaps a journey of longer duration must be made a little more comfortable which costs more. At least in the South Terminal I can stretch my legs a little indoors while awaiting my connection.

Edinburgh Airport's departure area is arranged in the typical revenue-maximizing manner that favors those who spend time in shops and restaurants. Still, as with Glasgow Airport, if one roams sufficiently then it is possible to find quieter seating areas and complimentary copies of the day's Times which is much appreciated. I can pass plenty of time by reading a newspaper so they are especially welcome for long-haul flights.

This morning's flight had the gate area in Edinburgh feeling far warmer than the airplane. Dressing in layers remains advisable. On ascent through the dark and the rain the airplane's white strobe light illuminated snapshots of the raindrops. Nearer London I could look East and see distant aircraft shining with the reflected light from the rising sun. For short-haul flights I try to opt for a window seat: I often see much to wonder about and research later: for example, bridges and river confluences may not be quite as I had thought. If nothing else, so very many humans lived before me with barely any opportunity to see the clouds and land from above so it would seem churlish not to avail myself of such opportunities.

An addendum: For the next flight I got to be an exit row volunteer and wondered if the cabin pressurization prevents a passenger from opening that door at altitude. During descent I saw a clear rainbow.

Comments

[emperor]

My understanding is that aviation fuel is essentially untaxed, so we do thus subsidize air travel. I think we have also been reducing the subsidy on rail fares over the last few years.

Also, it's about 4.5 hours Edinburgh to London by train, isn't it? Given check-in times and suchlike, I'm surprised flying is that much less time.

[mtbc]

Goodness, untaxed fuel, that alone is quite a difference!

Edinburgh to London was just the first flight, I then connected on to Newquay. Comparably, Dundee to St Austell by train takes around eleven hours.

[crazyscot]

There's no duty on aviation fuel used for air transport (at least in the UK), and larger aircraft are exempt from VAT on fuel as well. It's very difficult to tax effectively, because airlines would just fill up where it's cheaper, and fuel already in the tanks is (by international treaty) not subject to import duty.

Air tickets are zero-rated for VAT, too. They've got a nice thing going...

[crazyscot]

Yes, my understanding is that aircraft doors are designed so that they're impossible to open while pressurised. The doors open inwards and are slightly larger than their apertures, to create a good seal.

[mtbc]

Aha, thank you, it did look a bit like that!