What are Your Favorite and Least Favorite Planes?
Apr 9, 2012, 7:03 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
Interesting... my UG success rate is now 6/95. That's why I love the exit row bulkheads on the 757s. If you check in right at T-24 you are all but guaranteed to have far more legroom than in any FC seat.
Then again, I'm 6'5" so most exit rows are only marginally survivable if the person in front of me doesn't put their seat back. If I can't get an exit/bulkhead then I'll SDC to get other flights.
Then again, I'm 6'5" so most exit rows are only marginally survivable if the person in front of me doesn't put their seat back. If I can't get an exit/bulkhead then I'll SDC to get other flights.
Apr 9, 2012, 7:27 pm
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,797
As an FO, I have a slightly different take than most. Lets be honest, I'm mostly in Y, and so I look for the equipment with the most comfortable coach seats. Domestically, I can't beat the M88/90/DC-9. The 2 abreast exit rows are where I live in the sky. I'm going to miss the D95 when it retires, no doubt.
My least favorite (after the CRJ) are actually the 75s. Although the upgrade chance is generally better, they also typically fly on more elite heavy routes which negates the benefit for me (at least where I tend to see them in my travels). So, I'm still stuck in coach... but I find the coach seats on the 75s disappointing. Narrow, tight pitch, and most of the exit rows have the dreaded immovable armrest that reduces seat width. A large number of the exit rows are bulkheads, too.
My least favorite (after the CRJ) are actually the 75s. Although the upgrade chance is generally better, they also typically fly on more elite heavy routes which negates the benefit for me (at least where I tend to see them in my travels). So, I'm still stuck in coach... but I find the coach seats on the 75s disappointing. Narrow, tight pitch, and most of the exit rows have the dreaded immovable armrest that reduces seat width. A large number of the exit rows are bulkheads, too.
All the narrowbody planes generally cram in passengers so I wouldn't expect much.
Apr 9, 2012, 8:02 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ORD
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP Gold 100K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
My favorite domestic is the 75X. Love the AVOD.... when its working. If not, I'll take the Skypesos or worthless vouchers. A close second is the E-175. Least favorite is the CRJ no doubt. Mainline worst is probably the A320. Not just the plane but I have a bad track record for lengthy delays (again, I'll take the Skypesos and worthless vouchers that maybe I can use if I get a good agent)
Apr 9, 2012, 9:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: DTW
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO
Posts: 1,719
For domestic nothing beats the E-175 and CRJ 700/900. The F seats are great!
If I'm traveling solo then the 575 after these. If I'm with a friend/GF then I'll take any plane with two seats across instead of three. I'll even take a CRJ if traveling with a companion instead of having to sit next to a stranger.
For international flights the 777 is my favorite in both coach and BE. Haven't flown all the others enough or at all to make a full comparison.
If I'm traveling solo then the 575 after these. If I'm with a friend/GF then I'll take any plane with two seats across instead of three. I'll even take a CRJ if traveling with a companion instead of having to sit next to a stranger.
For international flights the 777 is my favorite in both coach and BE. Haven't flown all the others enough or at all to make a full comparison.
Apr 9, 2012, 9:44 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Bloomfield, MI, USA
Programs: DL Gold
Posts: 694
I've got no recent Intl experience (most recent was in '01 on NW WBC Barcaloungers, so not relevant to today's J at all), so won't comment on that.
Domestic Y:
1) D95 and MD88/90 - I love the 2-seat side, and the low 20% probability of being in a middle seat.
2) E70/E75 - all 2-seat, but small bins
3) CR2/7/9 - pretty much the same as the E's, but with less seat width
4) 767 - normal wretched Y seat, but at least only one middle seat in each row
5) 319/320/73x/75x - wretched seat width and pitch, and 3-across - you will be fighting over an armrest for the entire flight
Domestic F:
1) 319/320/73x/75x - traditional F seat in width and close to traditional in pitch
2) CR7/9/E70/E75 - gotta love the 1-seat side
3) MD88/90 - insufficient width, but okay pitch
4) 767 - truly awful width, but traditional pitch
5) D95 - pseudo-F at its finest - insufficient width and only 34" pitch
And when I criticize F width, it's not as if I'm built like Chris Christie; I fit just fine between the armrests of a normal 17" Y seat - I just like not having to negotiate over space for my beverage
, and having a little space between me and the armrests.
Domestic Y:
1) D95 and MD88/90 - I love the 2-seat side, and the low 20% probability of being in a middle seat.
2) E70/E75 - all 2-seat, but small bins
3) CR2/7/9 - pretty much the same as the E's, but with less seat width
4) 767 - normal wretched Y seat, but at least only one middle seat in each row
5) 319/320/73x/75x - wretched seat width and pitch, and 3-across - you will be fighting over an armrest for the entire flight
Domestic F:
1) 319/320/73x/75x - traditional F seat in width and close to traditional in pitch
2) CR7/9/E70/E75 - gotta love the 1-seat side
3) MD88/90 - insufficient width, but okay pitch
4) 767 - truly awful width, but traditional pitch
5) D95 - pseudo-F at its finest - insufficient width and only 34" pitch
And when I criticize F width, it's not as if I'm built like Chris Christie; I fit just fine between the armrests of a normal 17" Y seat - I just like not having to negotiate over space for my beverage
, and having a little space between me and the armrests.
Apr 10, 2012, 5:54 am
#21
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Formerly at PIT, now planted near MSP.
Programs: No flights since April 2019 (Medical Issues). Lost all my status.
Posts: 1,483
RJ200 - Don't Laugh
1. I have done 46 segments so far this year. Average flight time is less than 60 minutes. Fifty percent of my flights don't even offer beverage service due to the short flight times. Who can't endure a 50 seat plane for that long?
2. The 200's board and deplane faster than any other plane.
3. Over head bins are always available for my small bag, even when I'm the last one to board. GAs have been trained to "pink" tag large bags.
4. FAs are (how can I say this .....) not as "seasoned" as the FAs on the the larger planes.
5. In the event of mechanical issues, there always seems to be another one available. Try finding an extra 757 when you need one.
6. VDBs seem plentiful. I've accepted 4 so far this year, and turned down two others.
2. The 200's board and deplane faster than any other plane.
3. Over head bins are always available for my small bag, even when I'm the last one to board. GAs have been trained to "pink" tag large bags.
4. FAs are (how can I say this .....) not as "seasoned" as the FAs on the the larger planes.
5. In the event of mechanical issues, there always seems to be another one available. Try finding an extra 757 when you need one.
6. VDBs seem plentiful. I've accepted 4 so far this year, and turned down two others.
Apr 10, 2012, 11:45 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta DM, 3M; AA, FB, UA some lower status
Posts: 394
For international biz class: 747-400 UPSTAIRS, is hands down the best experience, on any airline that has J upstairs (AF: what were you thinking??).
[N.B. - I have not yet flown on an A380. ]
[N.B. - I have not yet flown on an A380. ]
Apr 10, 2012, 1:16 pm
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta GM, Marriott Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,530
I remember those back when I started my traveling career when I was 21. I was on 90% UA CRJs operated by SkyWest and used to love sitting in 1B or 1C and chatting with the FAs (who were usually younger than me) for most of the flight. Ahh, the good ol' days!