Comment by roxolotl

The reason you have to show up so early is because the downside of missing a flight is huge. Absolute best case you’re at a large city flying to another large and an airline, likely different from the one you planned on traveling on, can get you on their next flight within the hour. This is going to be pricy. The next best case is you’re able to get a flight out the same day but hour later maybe for free or a small up charge if it’s the same airline.

Then you also have problems on the other end. You can easily lose a whole day at your destination. That might mean the car you’re planning to rent is no longer available, the person picking you up is no longer free, you miss an connection etc.

Of course if we have one hour electric commuter flights which just turn around and go again that makes things very different. Worst case, assuming there’s seats, you’re out two hours and on the next flight. So what the article is describing is a totally different game.