Neville Chamberlain, there are no restrictions on sea voyages if you will get off before Shabbos. The issur on embarking on a voyage from Wednesday (except for a mitzvah) applies only if you are planning to still be at sea on Shabbos.
And the issur on traveling on Friday after noon (which I will point out this flight was <i>not</i>) only applies if you are not expected at your destination. You can’t show up somewhere an hour before Shabbos and say “surprise, here I am, throw another few potatoes in the cholent”. Nowadays with phones and instant communication that halacha is almost completely obsolete.