Originally Posted by
stringandrudder
What will dictate this shift is the change in generation. Baby boomers (and older) would definitely not be "OK," with this. Millennials? It would happen tomorrow if it were possible.
I disagree completely. I know just as many millennials who are uncomfortable with self-driving cars as I do baby-boomers. It is going to take quite a bit of testing and certification to get the first fully pilotless aircraft. I estimate it to be in the next 40-50 years. Airlines aren't going to park brand new 787s in 15 years and completely repurchase an incredibly more expensive airplane just because it would save them a few dollars per ticket.