Longest time without stepping on a plane?
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,347
Longest time without stepping on a plane?
Looking at my records, it would seem that as of about two weeks ago, this is the longest time I have gone without stepping foot on a plane in over 3 decades (almost four!). The last time I went this long without flying Ronald Reagan was in office! Anyone else?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New Zealand (when I'm home!)
Programs: Air NZ Elite
Posts: 1,218
This is probably the longest I've gone without stepping on a plane for the past 2-3 years. For the past 2-3 years, I've hopped on a plane at least once every 6 weeks. Not quite on par with your 3 decades
#6
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: TK M&S, LH MM, Global Entry, Hertz Gold, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 1,087
Two decades for me.
but more importantly, I haven’t spent this much uninterrupted time with my wife ever, in almost as many years.
Our marriage was built on/around my periodic absences, so it’s a new experience. Almost entirely positive ;-)
but more importantly, I haven’t spent this much uninterrupted time with my wife ever, in almost as many years.
Our marriage was built on/around my periodic absences, so it’s a new experience. Almost entirely positive ;-)
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.57MM; AS MVPG 100K
Posts: 21,371
just passed the 2-month mark
in reviewing my log, there really aren't that many longer stretches without a flight ... that said, I fully expect all but the last to drop off the scoreboard
in reviewing my log, there really aren't that many longer stretches without a flight ... that said, I fully expect all but the last to drop off the scoreboard
- 4 months (14 Apr 96 - 11 Aug 96; 19 Apr 98 - 16 Aug 98; 17 Aug 01 - 19 Dec 01)
- 4.5 months (27 Oct 94 - 13 Mar 95; 30 Oct 98 - 17 Mar 99)
- 5 months (30 Jun 73 - 28 Nov 73; 24 Nov 90 - 24 Apr 91)
- 5.5 months (29 Dec 11 - 15 Jun 12)
- 21 months (10 Aug 69 - 11 May 71)
#9
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: BHD/DUB/PTY
Programs: BA Silver / EI Silver
Posts: 419
In the last 5 years, I tend to fly every 6 weeks, with a couple of times that there's an 8 week gap. Just checked, and currently it seems I will be on the ground for 4 months since my last flight until the next time. If I cancel a holiday in August (Which seems likely), then it will be an 8 months gap until my next flight!
#11
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 274
Anyone else just not missing flying?
So here we are at week 73 or whatever it is.
For the last few years, I've taken enough flights to easily qualify for Gold, which at times has seemed like a very large number of trips through Heathrow and Gatwick.
But, all that seems a long time ago now, and when things resume I'm not sure I can be bothered to even chase Silver.
I'm just not missing getting to the airport or going through security, or lining up and scrambling for overhead bag space, or watching Big Bang Theory again or being delayed or being jet-lagged.
I've really enjoyed spending more time with my family over the last few weeks and I just can't see me going back to the level of flying I did before. Not for Greta reasons, but it just all seems like so much faff. I was probably doing around 30+ return flights a year and now with Zoom etc, I can't envisage doing a fraction of that.
When things do get back to normal I think part of the reason the numbers won't go back to what they were for BA are people like me who have used this period as a bit of a reset button and just won't be gadding about like they used to.
Does that strike a chord with anyone else? Maybe just me. Anyway, off to bake banana bread...
For the last few years, I've taken enough flights to easily qualify for Gold, which at times has seemed like a very large number of trips through Heathrow and Gatwick.
But, all that seems a long time ago now, and when things resume I'm not sure I can be bothered to even chase Silver.
I'm just not missing getting to the airport or going through security, or lining up and scrambling for overhead bag space, or watching Big Bang Theory again or being delayed or being jet-lagged.
I've really enjoyed spending more time with my family over the last few weeks and I just can't see me going back to the level of flying I did before. Not for Greta reasons, but it just all seems like so much faff. I was probably doing around 30+ return flights a year and now with Zoom etc, I can't envisage doing a fraction of that.
When things do get back to normal I think part of the reason the numbers won't go back to what they were for BA are people like me who have used this period as a bit of a reset button and just won't be gadding about like they used to.
Does that strike a chord with anyone else? Maybe just me. Anyway, off to bake banana bread...
#14
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: BA Gold, Avis President
Posts: 438
I miss these trips...and had MEX, RUH and UVF planned and paid for.
I'm saving quite a lot of money by not travelling, that's the good news...!! These trips were a fortune and now that I've retired, in truth, I can't afford J anymore...ok, yes I can afford them, but I rather "afford" to spend the money elsewhere...and travel in Y...one happy day in the future...
Mind you in time Y may look like J, if the social isolating extends to aircraft...Chris
I'm saving quite a lot of money by not travelling, that's the good news...!! These trips were a fortune and now that I've retired, in truth, I can't afford J anymore...ok, yes I can afford them, but I rather "afford" to spend the money elsewhere...and travel in Y...one happy day in the future...
Mind you in time Y may look like J, if the social isolating extends to aircraft...Chris
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
Longest time without a flight since 2008 for me. By the time flying will be possible again it will probably be for 60 years as it’s not looking likely for a year or so.