clubord

fast passenger

SuperG1955

The A220 is a mainline aircraft, not a regional.

jdrtravel

OK, however, according to reports DL has done a notably better job at it.

Admiral Ackbar

Best airplane bathroom in the sky for tall people, not even close.

Great aircraft, Airbus got an amazing deal on a great aircraft that Boeing was trying to kill.

clubord

That's funny you're buying into those reports. When all the other airlines start requesting the same altitude as Delta because of their magic software programs I'll be the first one to agree with you!

However, the reality is that all airlines fly on the same airways and within the same altitude range due to the airspace/aircraft performance limitations. We find the smoothest rides through speaking with air traffic control and other airplanes in front of us - still is the most accurate source of information. Within the past few years there has been additional resources added where each airplane provides automated turbulence reporting that gets transmitted real time to each pilot's ipad. Each airline has this technology. Delta may rank it 0-100, United 0.1-1.0, American 1-5. Point is, its prevalent throughout the industry.

Not trying to cause an argument here rather infusing some definitive facts into the discussion.

3Cforme

This thread is wandering a bit. Unless the OP is ready to change flights on short notice ($$$ flexible fare, or struggles with SDC in low fare classes), forecasts of turbulence won't be helpful. It's really of question of other aircraft available on a Dallas-NYC route (Delta E70/CR9, Spirit A320, AA 738/A321/767, Southwest 737-700, UA E70/319/320) and if the A220 is noticeably inferior to those. That's tough to answer.

FlyerWx

There's another reason to fly in the morning -- not just to avoid thunderstorms. In fact, you can avoid most of the convective updrafts/downdrafts ("thermals") by flying in the early morning. These thermals can be felt upon takeoff on a sunny day.

This isn't meant to scare OP, the A220 is an awesome aircraft and Delta is quite good at avoiding a lot of turbulence.

webmarks

Maybe find a local flight school and do at least a discovery flight. it's amazing what an up-front perspective can do.

BenA

MikeNYC1

Came here to suggest exactly the same.

I'm a private pilot, and my spouse had a slight fear of flying when we met. After one or two flights in a 4 seat single engine plane, her fear of flying (in planes large and small) largely went away. Being able to see what's going on up front, hear the ATC communication, understand the controls, and know how turbulence is handled really put her at ease.

Now she looks at turbulence like a bumpy road, like going from a smooth highway, to NYC asphalt with potholes, to gravel, to rutted up dirt roads, etc. That's a good way to think about it. While some turbulence can be dangerous, if one stays in their seat with seatbelt fastened, there's very very little to worry about.

Like the poster above said, most flight schools offer a "Discovery" flight where anyone can show up, with no experience, and go up in a small plane with an instructor for 30-60 minutes. They'll be explained how things work, and even given an opportunity to fly the plane. It doesn't cost much, won't take long, and gives great insight into how safe everything really is.