Is Horizon Airlines safe?
Mar 27, 2015, 5:18 pm
#46
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: AS MVPG, CO, NW(now DL), Flying Blue
Posts: 6,554
Or it might have been Air North, I cant really recall
Mar 28, 2015, 11:20 am
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
Apr 2, 2015, 2:03 pm
#48
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
I have to fly on Friday from Oakland to Portland on Horizon Air, which is part of Alaska. Both my flights are on old propeller planes! I've never flown in a propeller plane before and I've never flown Alaska before. Now I'm wondering if anyone has experience with this airline and plane? I think its the Dash or something. Sounds dangerous and old fashioned. 
Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.
Also to make matters worse that plane crash today is not helping my nerves. I mean...that was a big jet that crashed for no reason with experienced pilots, for an airline that was safe. I'm starting to get super nervous. I heard they put the least experienced/training pilots on the regionals and propeller planes.
I fly the Horizon Q400 quite often. The seats are narrow and uncomfortable. The overhead space is so limited that you can expect to gate check ("a la carte") anything you would have put in the overhead of a full size jet. And they are slower than jets. Having said that, none of these criticisms are safety related - I never worry about that on Horizon. I think there is a bigger danger from bacteria on the plane since the bathroom sinks have no running water for hand washing - just liquid hand cleaner. Ugh.
Apr 2, 2015, 3:14 pm
#49
Join Date: May 2003
Location: SFO, mostly
Posts: 2,204
I like the 2x2 seating on the Q400 and I also like the faster boarding/deplaning, particularly when they are using two doors. I usually don't need to access much out of my larger carry-on during the flight, so I don't mind leaving it a la cart.
Apr 2, 2015, 5:19 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 608
I am sure this is the case, but a Q400 sure feels tighter, particularly if you're in a window seat where the curvature of the wall eats into your foot space. And the tray tables are smaller, which makes it harder to do work on a computer.
Apr 2, 2015, 10:30 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,830
You do realize where the DeHavilland Canada DHC8-400; aka Q400 (powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW150A engines) is built, right?
Apr 3, 2015, 10:01 am
#52
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 734
I do like the fact that the seats don't recline. Being stuck in a "doll house" plane like that for a relatively long flight (PDX to OAK for example) would be even worse if someone reclined in front of you. But they are not comfortable and the lack of overhead space means waiting for "a la cart" luggage outside in the elements in SEA or PDX. So the "you can exit faster with the two doors" just means more time in the wind/rain/cold in winter waiting for your bag. Amazing how many people don't seem to care if they get free beer.