What are the advantages and disadvantages of a long-route flight in comparison to a short-route flight?

Question

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a long-route flight in comparison to a short-route flight?

Answer 1

There are many advantages to long distance flying versus short distance. ( I am assuming you are talking about jets and or turbo props) Ease of wear and tear on the equipment is the primary advantage.  Longer trips usually mean fewer cycles to each engine. Engine maintenance is based on hours and hot start cycles. The more hot starts , the quicker you reach mandatory tear down and inspection.

The further you go, the usually the higher the altitude flown. Higher altitudes give more efficient fuel burn per mile flown. A quick hop is up then down. More energy used to obtain an elevation and less time spent there taking advantage of this efficiency on a short flight.

Short flights also cause more pressurizations  to the cabin. Maintenance  to the airframe is also pressurization cycle sensitive. Shorter flights reach this thresh hold faster. Take a look at Aloha Airways short hops in a 737 from Honolulu to Maui that lost the upper section of the fuselage due to thousands of short hop pressurization cycles. You cause the cabin metal to flex during these cycles and eventually causes fatigue. Longer hauls have fewer times this is happening per year.

Short hops spend more of their time loading, unloading and being vectored for sequence, and waiting in line to take off in relation to total travel time. Some flights spend more time on the ground than in flight to their destination. In some instances,it is actually more efficient to drive than to fly by the time you get done with getting to the airport 2 hrs  early to check in,clear security, sit and wait for a flight  delay or equipment problem, get vectored for sequencing, wait on the tarmack for  an open gate, and wait for your luggage than just driving yourself. Detroit(DTW) to Chicago Ohare (ORD) is a good example of that. This adds to another advantage of longer flights... they are easier to price versus their real costs to operate and remain competitive.

For the passenger, benefits are mixed. Shorter flights or multi-leg flights mean more potential delays in arriving on time or missed connections. The advantage to the airline is to maximize seat occupancy per passenger mile flown. Shorter flights do allow the passengers to ambulate quicker than be stuck in a seat for extended periods of time. For elderly flyers, this extended inactivity can actually cause blood clots in the legs. For them, it may be healthier to do shorter legged trips even with the inconveniences.

Answer 2

Advantages and disadvantages in regard to what?  Are you asking from an engineering perspective, a passenger's perspective, a pilot's, or just what?  Please explain your question a bit more.  Thanks.