In the pokemon world, it was not the railroads which linked faraway lands, for they are too rare and expensive to truly connect the world. Nor was it roads or waterways or airplanes, for the first two are cluttered with trainers and pokemon which block movement, and the latter is only a pale imitator. The true engine of unity from Sinnoh to the Orange Islands is not any invention of man, but a pokemon which flies at twice the speed of sound and is large enough to carry a rider.
Pidgeot do not fly at full speed while carrying humans, because the riders would be blown off by the air they displace. Nonetheless, they remain a remarkably fast method of intercity transport, bringing trainers from Pallet to Lavender in a matter of minutes and allowing them to enjoy the view while their hair is tossed around by a strong breeze.
Recent times have seen the hidden machine Fly developed from Pidgeot DNA, allowing other pokemon to be used in its traditional role, and modern airships can travel nearly as fast as a Pidgeot safely can with a trainer. Nonetheless, Pidgeot remain the most popular among the ferries of the skies.
