People are involved in more interesting things, such as silent flying for passenger planes.
This would have a dramatic effect. People hate planes and airports because of noise[1] so having very quiet aircraft would reduce opposition and allow longer operating hours for airports.
I'd be ok with even really mundane things -- great video on demand, Internet access, and a marginally more comfortable seat (Economy Plus or old style business class) would be worth more to me on most flights vs. a faster journey. There are even routes where if I could get a real bed onboard and a shower at the airport in arrivals (so, cheap), I'd take twice as long a flight (turning a late night flight into a true redeye).
Being productive onboard and immediately on arrival (which, for domestic routes, is actually more about the airport than the aircraft) would make up for a lot.
The current big civilian aircrafts are all still mainly follow aerodynamics introduced by B-47. Conceptual models like one referred by parent are trying to break the spell, yet it doesn't seem to be happening any time soon unfortunately.
This would have a dramatic effect. People hate planes and airports because of noise[1] so having very quiet aircraft would reduce opposition and allow longer operating hours for airports.
(http://silentaircraft.org/)
[1] among other reasons.