Like Yorkshire Airlines. Leaving Leeds Bradford every 20 minutes and landing back at Leeds Bradford! ‘Cos there’s beggar all outside Yorkshire worth visitin. Eh? Aye!!!
I don't understand the rush. When you're travelling this far you would normally stay at least two weeks, for the sake of your health if nothing else, so having a stopover would be favourite. I would no more consider sitting in a plane for 17 hours than I would a motor car, which is much less restrictive.
Chris, as a scientist you’ll appreciate relativity. Even though S Yorks is, by Yorkshire standards, a bit backward, it’s still (relatively) better than any other county. That’s how good yorkshire is ! ;-)
The longest flight I did was fourteen and a quarter hours. I think we were avoiding some war or other in the Middle East. I wouldn't want to fly for 17 hours unless I could get out of my seat due to DVT risks
for me 17 hour in plan is better transit and multiple flight as i have kids and for you you can plan to enjoy this time you can sleep 7 hour and stay 2 hour reading books you will have many meal each will take half an hour so this 2 hours total time for meals also one movie will take 2 or 3 hours you will also get some work file to organise to reduce work stress after vacation and i wish you pleasant trips