royster747
May 28, 03, 5:21 pm
Will be travelling PHL-LAX-PHL next month in F. Any opinions on the A321 vs the B757 on these routes in first class? Looking to hear about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I mean seats/food/service/comfort...
US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - A321 vs B757 PHL - LAX in First
View Full Version : A321 vs B757 PHL - LAX in First
us2
May 28, 03, 5:27 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by royster747:
Will be travelling PHL-LAX-PHL next month in F. Any opinions on the A321 vs the B757 on these routes in first class? Looking to hear about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I mean seats/food/service/comfort...</font>
Personally, I prefer the 321. Planes are generally in much better shape, the power ports can keep your laptop going for the whole flight and there are 2 more F seats that help the chances of upgrading. The 757s are being reconfigured to have just 8 seats in F and reassigned to LAS and Florida routes, though I don't believe the conversion has been started yet.
Will be travelling PHL-LAX-PHL next month in F. Any opinions on the A321 vs the B757 on these routes in first class? Looking to hear about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I mean seats/food/service/comfort...</font>
Personally, I prefer the 321. Planes are generally in much better shape, the power ports can keep your laptop going for the whole flight and there are 2 more F seats that help the chances of upgrading. The 757s are being reconfigured to have just 8 seats in F and reassigned to LAS and Florida routes, though I don't believe the conversion has been started yet.
geo1005
May 28, 03, 6:09 pm
IMHO - A319/320/321 FC anyday over the 757 in FC.
Service should be similar although the Airbus does have steam ovens that the Boeing does not so there can be a slight variation there (advantage Airbus I might add).
Service should be similar although the Airbus does have steam ovens that the Boeing does not so there can be a slight variation there (advantage Airbus I might add).
mileshound
May 28, 03, 6:21 pm
I don't like the video monitors on the 757. They are over the aisle. The 321 has them over the seats whick I prefer.
YVR Cockroach
May 28, 03, 6:27 pm
Doesn't matter much to me but I don't like the high-riding seat belts the A320 series has in FC (I guess they're designed for *big* guys?) The steam oven reference may be interesting. I've hardly had any satisfactory steaks on US's A320 series and A330s while these tend to be superb (for airline meat) on 757s.
PHL INTL TERMINAL
May 28, 03, 7:15 pm
Funny thing...I just noticed the seat belts on the 321 on my Monday morning flight this week. They do ride pretty high.
757's board at the door between coach and F (row 8 or something like that), which is very nice. As a result, you don't have to watch the coach pax board. Usually the FA's are more attentive at the boarding process on the 757 because they don't have to worry about the rest of the pax getting through, especially on a full flight. This is huge during boarding of the 757 because the isles aren't cluttered, you get better service prior to takeoff, and you don't have to worry as much checking bags in the case where you don't make it to pre-boarding (no coach pax attempting to put their stuff in the F overhead).
The TV's on the 757 are terrible (middle of the isle) and no power outlet is not a good thing. I could be wrong, but it feels like there's more room in the seatback in front of you on the 321. If it's not more room, there's a spot in the middle and then there's a spot in front of both seats to put your stuff.
The 757's are basically old planes. I like the newer 321, just because they aren't as old.
If I had to choose, I'd take the 321. I'll be flying this route weekly for the next couple months, so maybe we'll cross paths! Good luck!
757's board at the door between coach and F (row 8 or something like that), which is very nice. As a result, you don't have to watch the coach pax board. Usually the FA's are more attentive at the boarding process on the 757 because they don't have to worry about the rest of the pax getting through, especially on a full flight. This is huge during boarding of the 757 because the isles aren't cluttered, you get better service prior to takeoff, and you don't have to worry as much checking bags in the case where you don't make it to pre-boarding (no coach pax attempting to put their stuff in the F overhead).
The TV's on the 757 are terrible (middle of the isle) and no power outlet is not a good thing. I could be wrong, but it feels like there's more room in the seatback in front of you on the 321. If it's not more room, there's a spot in the middle and then there's a spot in front of both seats to put your stuff.
The 757's are basically old planes. I like the newer 321, just because they aren't as old.
If I had to choose, I'd take the 321. I'll be flying this route weekly for the next couple months, so maybe we'll cross paths! Good luck!
Art234
May 28, 03, 7:33 pm
I take PHL-LAX regularly (and will again on Monday). I always prefer the 321 over the 757 for a number of reasons:
The 757's are usually filthy and the entertainment systems more often than not don't work. Also the 757's are noisier, and in my opinion, less comfortable than the 321 (the extra 6" of cabin width IS perceivable).
The under seat space on the 757 is severely limited, so my computer bag, which is pretty thick, has to go in the overhead, while it fits under the 321 seat.
Laptop power ports on the 321-a definite plus!
Much easier to see video monitors on the 321 as well.
On the other hand, the 757 is faster and has more power--westbound 321's usually cruise lower for the first part of the flight because they are too heavy to make normal flight levels until they burn off some fuel.
757 boarding is usually done through the number 2 door, which, as stated, leaves the first class cabin free for the flight attendant's pre-departure service. Airbus, in a remarkable feat of design engineering, placed the number 2 door too close to the wing, so most companies are afraid to put a jetway to door 2 in fear of hitting the engine. For this reason mostly, the flight attendants seem to prefer the 757.
Overall, it seems like the 321 is more comfortable and a better choice. Unfortunately, the best choice is not available, which would be the 767 or A330 (One can dream can't one?) I used to enjoy flying on the 767 even though the Envoy cabin was dated it was very comfortable.
My return next Friday will be a redeye on the 757--I expect to get very little sleep on that one.
------------------
IT'S THE FARES, STUPID!!
Regards,
Art at ISP
The 757's are usually filthy and the entertainment systems more often than not don't work. Also the 757's are noisier, and in my opinion, less comfortable than the 321 (the extra 6" of cabin width IS perceivable).
The under seat space on the 757 is severely limited, so my computer bag, which is pretty thick, has to go in the overhead, while it fits under the 321 seat.
Laptop power ports on the 321-a definite plus!
Much easier to see video monitors on the 321 as well.
On the other hand, the 757 is faster and has more power--westbound 321's usually cruise lower for the first part of the flight because they are too heavy to make normal flight levels until they burn off some fuel.
757 boarding is usually done through the number 2 door, which, as stated, leaves the first class cabin free for the flight attendant's pre-departure service. Airbus, in a remarkable feat of design engineering, placed the number 2 door too close to the wing, so most companies are afraid to put a jetway to door 2 in fear of hitting the engine. For this reason mostly, the flight attendants seem to prefer the 757.
Overall, it seems like the 321 is more comfortable and a better choice. Unfortunately, the best choice is not available, which would be the 767 or A330 (One can dream can't one?) I used to enjoy flying on the 767 even though the Envoy cabin was dated it was very comfortable.
My return next Friday will be a redeye on the 757--I expect to get very little sleep on that one.
------------------
IT'S THE FARES, STUPID!!
Regards,
Art at ISP
Randeman
May 30, 03, 4:41 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by royster747:
Will be travelling PHL-LAX-PHL next month in F. Any opinions on the A321 vs the B757 on these routes in first class? Looking to hear about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I mean seats/food/service/comfort...</font>
I think the one, and only one, thing I like about the 757 over any other equipment is the location of the boarding door. With first class to the left and coach to the right, first class just feels exclusive. I like that. For comfort and such, I'm indifferent. Oh, sorry, one other thing, I like the fact that on the 757 there is a lav in the front of the coach cabin, just aft of first class. That (sort of) gives first two lavs.
[This message has been edited by Randeman (edited 05-30-2003).]
Will be travelling PHL-LAX-PHL next month in F. Any opinions on the A321 vs the B757 on these routes in first class? Looking to hear about "the good, the bad, and the ugly." I mean seats/food/service/comfort...</font>
I think the one, and only one, thing I like about the 757 over any other equipment is the location of the boarding door. With first class to the left and coach to the right, first class just feels exclusive. I like that. For comfort and such, I'm indifferent. Oh, sorry, one other thing, I like the fact that on the 757 there is a lav in the front of the coach cabin, just aft of first class. That (sort of) gives first two lavs.
[This message has been edited by Randeman (edited 05-30-2003).]
MaineFlyer16
May 30, 03, 6:58 pm
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Randeman:
[B] I think the one, and only one, thing I like about the 757 over any other equipment is the location of the boarding door. With first class to the left and coach to the right, first class just feels exclusive. I like that. For comfort and such, I'm indifferent. Oh, sorry, one other thing, I like the fact that on the 757 there is a lav in the front of the coach cabin, just aft of first class. That (sort of) gives first two lavs.
More importantly it keeps the coach passengers out of the F cabin. In smaller planes the nearest coach bathroom is in the rear of the plane, so coach passengers in the first rows often find it more convienient to use the F bathroom. This eliminates that problem.
[B] I think the one, and only one, thing I like about the 757 over any other equipment is the location of the boarding door. With first class to the left and coach to the right, first class just feels exclusive. I like that. For comfort and such, I'm indifferent. Oh, sorry, one other thing, I like the fact that on the 757 there is a lav in the front of the coach cabin, just aft of first class. That (sort of) gives first two lavs.
More importantly it keeps the coach passengers out of the F cabin. In smaller planes the nearest coach bathroom is in the rear of the plane, so coach passengers in the first rows often find it more convienient to use the F bathroom. This eliminates that problem.