The fastest means of transportation among the options given is **air** travel.
Air travel utilizes aircrafts such as airplanes to transport people and goods through the atmosphere. It is the quickest mode of transportation because airplanes can travel at extremely high speeds. Commercial jet airplanes can reach speeds of over 600 miles per hour (965 kilometers per hour).
There are several factors that contribute to air travel's speediness. Firstly, airplanes are not restricted by obstacles such as traffic congestion or road conditions, allowing for more efficient and direct travel. Additionally, airplanes can take advantage of the Earth's jet streams, which are high-speed winds in the upper atmosphere that can significantly boost an aircraft's speed.
Compared to road, rail, and water transportation, air travel offers the fastest travel times over long distances. For example, a flight from New York to Los Angeles, which would take approximately six hours by air, would take multiple days by road or rail. Similarly, crossing the Atlantic Ocean by ship could take up to a week, but a transatlantic flight typically takes around seven to eight hours.
It is important to note that the speed of air travel can vary depending on factors such as winds, weather conditions, and the type of aircraft being used. However, on average, air travel is the fastest mode of transportation among the options provided.