[dmos62]

<=3 hour flight time kind of sucks, because you're spending additional 1-2 hours at the departure airport and at least 30 minutes at the arrival airport. Then there are the trips from and to airport which are often 1-2h. Then there's scheduling slack, which translates to additional ~20% wait time. When flight time is 3h, you're expecting to spend 7-12 hours. Usually closer to 12, because you'd rather wait longer than run the risk of missing one of the transports.

One of my great travel-related discoveries has been that if I can find a train that takes even about the same amount of time, it will always be much more pleasant and less energy-draining than air travel.

[Symbiote]

Was it like this for the final years of Concorde? I don't know, but I doubt it.

With an entirely first class plane, and service, I expect they had special gates, and priority everything for the passengers.

[thomas]

All so true. The actual flight time is a non issue for me given the hassle of the airport. But I’m guessing this is for higher end travel, where skipping lines is the norm.

[credit_guy]

I once had the opportunity to fly a business-only airplane. There was no line skipping. There was a whole dedicated terminal for these airplanes. As soon as you entered the terminal someone would welcome you like at some luxury resort. The passport and ticket thing was a breeze, then they would guide you to the lounge, if you were early. If you timed your trip accurately, I guess you could find yourself from the terminal door to sitting in your comfy seat within 15 minutes. Champagne glass on the tray in front of you, of course.