Although high-speed rail can't match the speed of airplanes, it still has quite a few advantages.
One advantage is safety.
If something happens to a plane, the consequences can be catastrophic, and it's hard for passengers to survive, whereas with high-speed rail running on the ground, the consequences are relatively less severe. If you're not killed on the spot and manage to escape disaster, getting timely help is a high-probability event.
Another is that there are stops along the way. If you get motion sickness or feel stuffy, you can take a few steps on the platform when the door opens. If you're airsick, you can't take a stroll in the sky.
And then there's the delay rate.
The on-time rate of Huaxia's civil aviation has always been criticized, and managing to catch a flight that departs on time is practically a miracle. In contrast, the punctuality rate of high-speed rail can reach over 90%, leaving planes far behind.
