If you’ve ever looked at your boarding pass and thought, “Flights didn’t take this long years ago”, you’re not imagining things.

Many travellers feel that flights today seem slower, longer, or more drawn out than they used to be. But are airlines actually flying slower than before, or is something else going on behind the scenes?

The short answer: planes are not significantly slower, but published flight times are often longer for very real reasons. Here’s what’s changed.

Are planes actually slower today?

Modern commercial aircraft are not slower than their predecessors. Most long-haul planes still cruise at around:

• 550 to 575 mph (roughly Mach 0.78 to 0.85)

Newer aircraft are typically more efficient and technologically advanced than older models. Speed is rarely the main factor.

So why do flights feel longer?

1) Airlines now build in extra time on purpose

One of the biggest changes is something passengers never see: airlines often pad their schedules.

By adding extra minutes to published flight times, airlines can:

• Reduce the number of recorded late arrivals
• Improve on-time performance statistics
• Allow for congestion, weather, and taxi delays

Result: flight durations can look longer than they used to, even when the aircraft itself hasn’t slowed down.

2) Planes take longer routes than before

Flights today often follow less direct paths. Reasons include:

• Avoiding congested airspace
• Weather systems and jet stream conditions
• Restricted or closed airspace due to geopolitics
• Optimising for fuel efficiency rather than the shortest distance

Sometimes a slightly longer route at an optimal altitude saves fuel, even if it adds time.

3) Air traffic congestion has increased

There are more flights in the sky than there were decades ago. At busy airports this can mean:

• Longer taxi times
• More holding patterns before landing
• Delays waiting for take-off clearance

Even small delays add up across a journey, making the experience feel slower overall.

4) Fuel efficiency matters more than speed

Fuel is one of the biggest operating costs for airlines. Flying slightly slower can:

• Reduce fuel burn
• Lower emissions
• Extend aircraft range

On some routes, a modest reduction in cruising speed can add minutes, but the savings are meaningful at scale.

5) Why it feels slower as a passenger

Even small changes are more noticeable now because:

• We track flights in real time on our phones
• We compare current journeys to memories of “faster” trips
• Airport processes can feel longer and more complex than before

Add security, boarding delays, and long taxi times, and the whole travel day can feel stretched, even if airborne time is similar.

What this means for modern travellers

Longer flight times and tighter schedules mean travellers rely more heavily on their phones than ever. When flights are delayed, rerouted, or land later than expected, you may need to:

• Rebook transport
• Contact accommodation
• Check maps, emails, and airline apps
• Let people know you’ve arrived safely

That makes instant mobile connectivity on arrival genuinely useful, especially when airport Wi-Fi is unreliable or overcrowded.

Staying connected when you land

Many travellers now choose an eSIM so they can connect as soon as they arrive, without queueing for a physical SIM or risking roaming charges.

With a SIMOVO eSIM:

• Your data plan can be set up before you fly
• You connect quickly on arrival
• There’s no need to swap physical SIM cards
• You avoid hunting for Wi-Fi when you’re tired and in a rush

Explore eSIM plans: Browse all SIMOVO eSIM destinations

The bottom line

Airlines are not flying slower in the traditional sense. Instead:

• Schedules are often padded
• Routes can be longer and more efficient
• Airspace and airports are busier than ever

Travel today is more connected and more dependent on digital tools. Sorting your mobile data in advance helps keep the journey smoother from touchdown to taxi rank.

Related reading

• SIMOVO Travel Journal
• UK eSIM
• USA eSIM
• Türkiye eSIM