Is Final Fantasy XIV the champion of immersion? Or is it easily usurped?

[Lyndis]

Final Fantasy XIV has really good graphics and animations compared to many other MMO games on the market. This really contributes to its immersion (just like in all other Final Fantasys, which utilizes good storytelling and graphics to trick players into feeling like they're inside the game world just like effects and storytelling do in a movie). But I'm afraid that the game might be moving in a direction that sacrifices one of its main appeals to make the game accessible even to the guy who is using free wifi in the McDonalds drive through so that he can play while grabbing a cup of coffee on his way to work.

Like the airship argument that I'd hate you all to forget. A possible blight that could forever taint this game if left instant. An example where game aesthetics and content is being sacrificed for an unnecessary amount of convenience. I think we all agree that three to five minutes is not so much time that it would eliminate any chance of getting something done in your time to play (unless perhaps you're the person in the drive through at McDonalds). Some of you may say that this is a logical fallacy but I would argue that this is a good point: If you really think that airships should be made instant, then it would also make sense to make any fight instant as well. Both are forms of content, whilst some may prefer combat to riding an airship (it's a matter of opinion, why ruin a form content when at least SOMEONE is enjoying it). An ending result of combat may be completely obvious to me, I've killed Tarbh Uisge many times and the fight is about six times as long as what I'd expect the airship ride to be. Why should I have to do it again, isn't there a skip button? But that's not how the real world, or video games work. Rewards are given to those who wade through the context and content given by the developers. If the developers choose to make content skip-able and everything easily gained, even people who do not see immersion as a value in a game will find the game boring.

Enough inciting flame for the sake of an example still worth fighting for.
I know there are other immersive games coming to the world of gaming, for us looking for something that can pull away from this world and make it feel like we are the spirit of a hero in another realm. There's games like Skyrim and Dark souls from developers that have done great things in making their games feel heroic in believable yet fantasy world. But these games lack the scope of an MMO game.

So I ask the question, only in the case that this game DOES indeed go down the path that I fear. Are there any MMORPGs coming out or out already that can compete with Final Fantasy XIV for the most immersive and compelling world?

In the meantime, I still hope this game can be that game for me and I'll stick around to see where it goes. I wish for the best, and there are many aspects of this game here already, and to come that I love.

For the sake of TL;DR
FFXIV is losing one of its main appeals: Immersion
Airship is an example
Any games that can replace it now? or in the future?