US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - New Interiors on the Dash 8

I haven't flown the Dash 8 as often as many of you, but I have had my share of flights. Up until recently, all had been on the Dash 8-100/200 and all have had an older interior.

Photo: http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=151117

Recently, I flew Charlotte to Lexington on a Dash 8-300 for the first time. While the plane was longer and had the forward-facing Row 1 starboard, it had the same old interior.

Photo: http://www.airliners.net/open.file/501267/L/

Then on my return, I flew a Dash 8-100/200 back from Lexington to Charlotte. However, when I boarded, I was stunned by the fresh interior. The overheads were not as boxy as the old interior, but rather were much more rounded like on the Airbus narrowbody family. The lighting was much brighter. One detail that stood out was that the the fasten seat belt and no smoking signs weren't straight up in the ceiling like in the old interior, but rather were in a little "cut-out" that was self-illuminating (like the lavatory signs on the new Next Generation 737s). I know these details sound trivial, but the overall affect was dramatic. It didn't feel like a crappy little US Airways Express prop but rather a plane I wouldn't mind taking every week.

And, yes, I am positive it was a Dash 8-100/200. Of course, I did have to look out the window to make sure I wasn't on a Regional Jet because I would have been fooled by the interior (granted, this was before the engines started). The aircraft wasn't as long as the -300, didn't have the forward facing Row 1 starboard, so it wasn't a -300. Not to mention that the -300 I flew earlier had the old interior.

I've flown a handful of Dashes but this was my first with the new interior. Any comments about how common these are? If all Dashes had the new interior, I really wouldn't mind flying them more often.

Piedmont has 2 or 3 Dash 8-Q200 series-the new generation of the Dash 8 which was equipped with active noise cancelling technology. These aircraft had new updated interiors which look fresh and spacious-noticeable by a rounded overhead bin and a more open look.

Unfortunately since no one knows how to maintain the noise cancelling system, it has been disabled, but the aircraft are STILL substantially quieter than the standard Dash 8.

I last flew on the Q on the seasonal nonstop from HHH to DCA-500 miles on a Buzz Bucket at FL250--and it was at least tolerable.

I believe this is the aircraft on which you noticed the updated interior. I think they are looking to eventually get rid of ALL Dash 8's so I doubt they will update any more.

I hope this helps.

I also have noticed this. One time, in the same day, I flew on a Dash-8 with an old interior and one with a new interior (the new one from CLT to FLO). The difference was noticeable, and it was just like being on an A320 but smaller.

If I had to point out a negative, it would be that the lighting was too bright while on the ground at night (though still far better than the old interior).

That's one thing I don't like about US' Airbus and the new interior Dash-8 (not sure about those types on other airlines as I have no experience). I feel like I'm in an operating room.

Thanks. It makes sense that there are only 2-3. I haven't been on the Dashes nearly enough as others, but I've been on enough to be really surprised by the new interior.