An airplane gets you from point A to point B. The rest is just to make you comfortable on the trip. You still get to your destination on time.

The question is: does online education get you to the same destination intellectually as an in-person class. My experience says no. I do not think online education is a substitute for in-class learning. As a supplement, and as a lower grade alternative for some people, but not as a substitute.

If discount airlines dropped you off 500 miles from your destination, or 10 hours late, no one would fly even if they had comfortable seats and gourmet food.