Not getting into semantics or anything I think I am understanding what you are asking. I would much prefer depth. I would definitely prefer the longer airship ride. To me it is more of a "living world" type thing as is the frog skin example.

Bonus points if there were random occurrences on the airship you could be involved in if you wanted.

While the word convenience is often sounds like "EZ button" to me but things shouldn't be inconvenient for the sake of being time consuming.