Flying Cross-country Is Not Worth It: Here's Why You Should Just Go International

As a West Coaster living on the East Coast, I hate flying back home. It's not because of family drama, or because I'm scared I'll see my ex while visiting my hometown, but because flying cross-country is just not worth it. It’s an unsatisfying flight, typically accompanied by limited amenities and mediocre service at best. The flight from the East Coast to the West Coast, or vice versa, which is debatably worse, is dreadfully long and feels never-ending. Not to mention, it costs so much; it's actually sickening. All my bicoastal people will understand the pain. It’s unfortunate, but flying cross-country—doesn't matter the direction—provides below-par service, takes way too long for what it's worth, and is outrageously expensive.

Better Service Equates To A Better Flight

Flying internationally offers better service, higher-quality seats and plane features, and, let's be honest, a way cooler Instagram post. Every international flight I've ever been on, which I'm grateful for that number to be decently high for my age, has had adequate to genuinely really good meals, a serviceable flight crew, comfortable cleaner seats, and working outlets. Whereas the cross-country flights I've been on just give out one to two mediocre snacks, usually stuff you don't want to eat, or worse, finger foods on a plane—gross! A flight crew in a rush for some reason, really cramped, icky seats, with fingerprints and dirt from the last guests, and at least one broken outlet or a seat that won't recline.

Both of these experiences have been a common theme I’ve experienced among different airlines. Flying internationally, or in general, is typically not the most comfortable, but for what it's worth, I only complained for a third of the time instead of half. And, to be honest, that's a win for me—and everyone around me. I also feel like even if the flight isn't the most enjoyable, the destination makes up for it. Flying cross-country, if you're from the U.S., just doesn't have that same wow factor. Plus, hotels and activities are typically way pricier in the states than in other countries, if the activities are even special, considering most places in America are just suburban corporate slop and cookie-cutter retail stores. Many U.S. cities also aren't up to date, so it's honestly not worth it if you're going for a vacation and not visiting family or friends. Going international gives you a passport stamp, life-changing memories, and bragging rights for life. If you live in New York, why brag about Salt Lake City, Utah, when you can brag about Paris, or Marseille if you wanna be different.

When Flying, Time Matters

The flight from coast to coast just drags on for thousands and thousands of miles, literally. All you can see out your window is the dirt of flyover states, and quite frankly I'd rather see beautiful blue ocean water. The average flight time for a cross-country flight is about 6 hours, but it's generally longer if you're going to a more popular destination, and that's only including the mainland; if you throw Hawaii or Alaska into the mix, forget about it. That's the same amount of time as flying from Boston to Dublin. I don't know about you, but if I was from Boston, I'd rather go to a place where it's socially acceptable to drink all day than to go to Los Angeles, where that's frowned upon. Like, can a girl get a drink? There you don't even need a fake I.D.; but genuinely, cross-country flights are not worth the time, in my opinion, when you can just go somewhere objectively better.

Even Rich People Like To Save Money

As a college student, I cannot afford to visit my family and friends back home because it is simply too expensive. The typical flight home for me is often upwards of $1,000, before fees, for a basic economy seat not including a checked bag. That's ridiculous. Whereas I could fly from Miami to Rio de Janeiro for only around $815. Like, who wants to go to the middle of nowhere Oregon to see your crazy family—mom, just ignore that part—when you can go live your best life in Brazil. I would rather choose cool stories to tell at Friendsgiving than hear my family share their concerns about me living in “dangerous” New York City at Thanksgiving. And the best part is that it’s usually cheaper—and you leave loving your life. Truly, as a bi-coaster, the service and time aren't worth it to make the flight, nor, honestly, is the destination, so if you're considering exploring a different corner of the U.S. or the world—choose the world!

A Heuristic Everyone Needs (you’re welcome)

Americans love a good rule of thumb; it's our culture, just like how we wear deodorant, my rule of thumb is that flying internationally will almost always be more fulfilling and better financially than flying cross-country. On an international flight, you feel on top of the world because you literally are, and you get treated way better. You still have to sit in a plane for hours, but it's a much more comfortable and a far more interesting experience, paired with a better view, as it's typically the ocean or some cool land formation. In today's economy, money's tight, so flying internationally is not only worth the buck, but more often than not, you'll be saving some too. So, if you wanna explore and see everything, just think about what place gives you more bragging rights (hint: it's definitely not Boise).