I’ve been Traveling a lot in Europa and South America and I clearly can say that it’s faster, cheaper and more reliable now than 10/20 years ago. I remember sleeping in the airport floor because companies just filled bankruptcy that same night, travelling 3 days to go from Madrid to Bolivia or Peru, etc.
For less than 4 hours flight I just take the train if they exist lol

Yeah. I miss rolling up to the gate last minute. Your family could send you off even. Ahhh. The good old days.