Originally Posted by
CMK10
If you're towards the back it's bad, but if you're up front? One of the quietest rides you'll be on. The MD-80 is my most flown aircraft (thanks, AA) and I don't mind it. Frankly, having a mainline plane with wifi and a two-seat pair is worth a lot to me.
Which illustrates the difference between the elite vs GM experience. I've only flown "in the back" of a UA plane once in recent years, DEN-SFO leg of a WX nightmare (rebookings, last flight out of Dodge, re-enactment of the Fall of Saigon, that sort of thing). 2.5 hours, I survived, not great back there but good to get home. And the person next to me was a 1K (I was a 1P at the time I think?).
So you're right though; as an elite, the MD80 probably isn't such a bad plane to fly, and likely better than a CR7.