>I also question the suggestions that longer published flight times mean more CO2 and there's no incentive for airlines to become more efficient. >Just the oth

>I also question the suggestions that longer published flight times mean more CO2 and there's no incentive for airlines to become more efficient. >Just the other day I flew out of NYC and it took us 40+ minutes of being in a queue to take off behind 15-20 other planes because reasons. That anecdote is exactly why the claim that there is no incentive for airlines to increase efficiency is so bogus. The vast majority of scheduling delays occur because of on-the-ground and ATC issues that are the sole responsibility of the airports involved. An airline can't do much to combat the inefficiencies that result from a notoriously incompetent airport and their inability to properly manage traffic so gates clear on time.