In terms of long distance travel can bullet trains compare with flights, especially if they shave time off with an easier check in system?
This would be far superior to the 5-hour red eye flights.
That's 8 hours of sleeping, two hours eating, and 5-7 hours wondering if the speed of an airplane outweighs the discomfort.
Lets say SF to Chicago, then? Its about 2000 miles.
I was trying to illustrate a more general point that speed isn't necessarily the best or most optimal criteria even for long distances. My choice of example could have been better.