[brnt]

That's quite a journey, sure, but seeking agreement on working on the train (with a first class seat on a HST that's certainly possible) is a great solution. Maybe meet family in the middle, and force older family members figure out how to VC (been there ;)). Unavoidable travel such as seeing relatives is also a good reason to shell out for good seat on an airplane.

The point isn't (just) to avoid air travel, also to avoid those shitty Ryanair/WizzAir/Easyjet seats/travels ;)

I used to travel between Amsterdam and Lyon, the KLM flight was so much better than Easyjet, in every respect. I didn't have a lot of money, but that splurge on KLM was worth it.

Also, business and holiday travel where I'd seek the easiest wins in terms of just not flying.