What Is Your Favorite Airplane When You Travel?

[Mountie]

Since so many of you travel so much, I was wondering what your favorite airplane is when you go on trips? I never get to fly First or Business, I am always stuck back in Tourist Class, so I like the airplanes with two passage ways....something like a Boeing 767. Thank you.

[jashermd]

Hello Mountie,

It depends on whether I'm in First / Business or Tourist.

If I'm in First / Business, I like the planes with an upstairs section (I think this is the 747 -- I must admit to not paying a great deal of attention to plane models). It's quiet and peaceful and seems much calmer. I've also noticed that there are rarely, if ever, any children up there, and absolutely no babies -- bliss!

If I'm in tourist I normally prefer the ones which have three seats next to the window (unless the flight is very full in which case a two-seat configuration is preferable). The middle seat is rarely full so it gives a bit of extra space.

Cheers,
Julian

[bdsouza]

I agree with jashermd, it depends on which class of travel. Based on my experience, here's my opinion.

First class: the 747 upstairs is comfortable and quiet. The 777 and the Airbus are much more spacious and have a number of facilites, much better than the 767. The MDs are being phased out now. But 1st class was still very comfortable.

Business Class: I still like the 747,777 and Airbus in preference to the 767 and the MD-11. In the 767s, they normally give you the Bose 1s, whereas in 1st you get the Bose 2s and a larger selection of DVDs (important if you fly regularly). However, with some of the companies, you only get a video selection on the 777 (better than in coach). On the 767/MD-11, you get your own machine and a pack of DVDs

Coach Class: 767 and 777 are much better because they have more space, and the tv sets are in the back of the seat. Additionally, the movies cycle around. On the MD-11 and the older Airbuses, you just get 2 movies. On a less full flight, the 777 is the best because it has a longer bank of seats, 5 in the middle, I think. The 767 and 747 have 3, and the MD-11 has arms that don't go up. The 747,767, MD-11 and airbus stll have selected seats with powerports (if you are using laptop, dvd etc.) Some airline companies (BA, Vrigin, possibly) have removed the powerports, and placed them in the 'premium economy' seats. Check out www.seatguru.com for more information

[claassenam]

Although I tend to prefer flying business/first in the upper level of a 747, I've found airplane body-style has much less influence on my comfort during a flight than does the level to which the airline has upgraded the interior. There is a huge difference from one 737 or 747 to another and the seats, amenities, choice of DVDs or digital video, food choices, etc. have little to do with the type of airplane and everything to do with the airline. It's really hard to generalize regarding body style as one 747 can be dated while another could have been completely refurbished on the inside.

That said, I am looking forward to the upcoming Airbus A380 and I think the introduction of that plane will revolutionize the industry in terms of on-flight services. The ability to provide more space, a gym, a bar, a store, spa, etc. brings air travel to the next level and I'll be interested to see how the airlines respond.

[jashermd]

Hi Claas,

My main fear with the giant Airbus (assuming an operational model ever sees the light of day) is that all of the spas, gyms etc will go out the window in favour of cramming yet more seats on board. If that's the case I plan to avoid them like the plague...imagine the scrum at customs and immigration, not to mention baggage claim.

I did read about a proposal floated by Virgin to turn some portion of the plane into 'compartments' which would be similar to the compartments on overnight trains -- if they did this it would be brilliant. One of the most annoying things about air travel is having no real personal space, and this would solve that problem. Imagine...Orient Express with wings!

Cheers,
Julian

[omegaet]

Mountie wrote:

Since so many of you travel so much, I was wondering what your favorite airplane is when you go on trips? I never get to fly First or Business, I am always stuck back in Tourist Class, so I like the airplanes with two passage ways....something like a Boeing 767. Thank you.

Mountiewhen you pass by the main entrance of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, you will see a retired static airplaneThe Concorde. My all time favorite airplane and favoriteway to fly.

Not because it was comfortable (the cabin was smaller than a DC-9)nor offered reasonably priced fares (I was fortunate enoughto have a business travel budget that absorbed the costs). In 2003, that ended when the planeceased commercial operations. The reason I liked it, was because of the shorter durations of flying time. I hate to fly and if it were not for Ambien CR,Lunesta, and an occasional Xanax, I would likely never board another airplane..flatbeds, first class seating and lounges, exceptional cabin service, twin aisles and upper decks, etc.none of that means anything to someone like me,who hates to fly.

[claassenam]

Omegaet,

I never had the experience of flying the Concorde and really regret that it looks like it just won't happen now. Why do you hate to fly? Do you have a fear of flying? I myself am a member of the fear-of-flying club. It was pretty bad for a while, but I just kept making myself read statistics of how many flights take off per day, how many people are on such flights, etc. and realizing that the chance of anything bad happening is so infinitestimal. That really helped, although I guess it goes down to a lack of control when on board because still whenever there is any amount of turbulence I have to start gripping the armrests. It's funny becuase I'll happily travel to places some people would consider "dangerous" and I'm up for some rather adventurous and dangerous activities, but flying really gets me every time. Especially on take-off.

I never stopped flying, though - the destination is always worth the pain and suffering of flying! Also, flying business or first helps too.

I realize there are a zillion other reasons to hate flying - the crowds, the tiny seats, the horrible air quality, the long hours, etc. but just wondering if fear is a problem for you or anyone else?
Message Edited by claassenam on 02-22-200710:14 AM

[travel2fun]

Mountie wrote:

Since so many of you travel so much, I was wondering what your favorite airplane is when you go on trips? I never get to fly First or Business, I am always stuck back in Tourist Class, so I like the airplanes with two passage ways....something like a Boeing 767. Thank you.

Mountie, on those long-haul flights, give me a B-747 in F or B class withthe new flat bed configurations and I am good to go!Throw in all that extra suck up service and I am a happy camper!

[omegaet]

mountie....this is really one of my all time favorite airplanes; the Grumman Mallard.We flewon it a number oftrips fromGovernment Cut causeway (in Miami) to several of the Bahama Islands. It was a fun experience because of the water takeoffs and landings and the ability to reach isolated island destinations (many without landing strips). Unfortunately, an incident occurred in Miami a couple of years backinvolving poor maintenance which resulted in a crash and loss of life....so the company no longer operates these flights. There are still some of these amphibians operating around the world....so if you ever get the opportunity, consider a flight. By the way, if the name Jimmy Buffet means anything....he named his Mallard the Hemisphere Dancer and flew it all around the Caribbean.

[Mountie]

Hey, Omegaet, that Mallard looks like a really exciting ride. How come youare afraidto fly and would even consider getting on an airplane that takes off and lands from the water? Is that even more frightening? Did you really fly one one of these?