Daring to be different, I prefer the A340 over the 747 series. Body is almost as wide, so pratically no difference in business (2-2-2)and they can't stuff as many economy seats across....

I like the new A330s flown by US Airways. I've only flown Envoy (kind of a BusinessFirst type of class, I think) on them, though. I do know that they offer personal and *on-demand* entertainment in at every seat, though...even in Y. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif I'm a big Airbus fan, and I'll take them any day over a Boeing. Though, I've not had the chance to fly on a 777, yet. For longhauls, after Airbus, I like 747's, and DC-10s are my least favourite.

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Without (ever) conceding the vast superiority of the J31 over all of the aircraft types mentioned, let me ask a 777 (since that seems to be so poular)question:

I have noticed on take off and climb out a distinct "propeller" type noise. It clearly has to do with the engines since when they are powered up to climb mid-flight the noise returns. Now with noise cancelling headphones, the noise is nonexistent. But without them, the noise has woken me up before. And don't tell me its what I am smoking, because I have seen people ask each other what that noise is!

To me, this is a pretty significant drawback of the aircraft type. At least on the J-31 you EXPECT a propeller noise, and as ususal, she does not disappoint!

koko: Without having done any real analysis on it, I'm guessing that the noise to which you refer is caused by vibration as the engine spins up through resonant frequencies.

Did you get to fly the P-51?

Favorite passenger aircraft: 777
Favorite aircraft viewed during flight: 707
Favorite aircraft flown: F-16
(Twice! Eat your hearts out.)

I do love the DC-10.....all 4800+ hours worth, over 1000 flights.

Only in my dreams... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Narrow body: A320, in either class. It's a kick-as* little airplane, with a broader cabin x-section for wider seats in Y and wider aisles in J.

Widebody: Y - 330/340. Although they are slightly slower than the 747, the 2-4-2 layout beats the 3-4-3 of the 747 hands down. The 2-5-2 layout is atrocious, which rules out the 777.

J - On airlines with no F (AC, CP, VS), the nose of the 747. That extra few square meters makes a huge difference in the feel. However, other than AC and CP, the use of 2-3-2 layouts in J makes for a bit of a drawback in main deck cabins farther back, so for airlines with F, I prefer the A340/330 where the layout is 2-2-2.

F - Who cares? As long as you have good F seats and service! (But again, the nose of the 747 is great).

Depends a lot on where you're sitting.
757 is a nice airplane, unless you're in coach on Delta. Then it's the worst thing in the air.
MD 8x series (again on Delta) are OK in coach because of that 3-2 seating. My wife and I can fly on the two-seat side almost as comfortably as if we were up front. We don't usually get fed, but what the hey?
I'm inclined to vote for the 747, even though I haven't flown one in quite a while. I especially liked them when they had that stand-up bar upstairs.
The L-1011 is the only modern? plane I've been on when it had an almost catastrophe, and the ease of recovery made me love it forever and ever.
When I was 23, I was flying in DC-3s (know what that was?) with canvas seats along the bulkheads; so anything flying today is a limousine.

For no practical reason, I'd have to say a 747.

For some reason, traveling on a 747 more than any other place (definitely more than an MD-80, but also more than a 777 and similar) reminds me of the lure of flying. I feel like a giddy kid. It reminds me how cool traveling is--we're often jaded in this area.

In case you care, the others include seeing all the neat planes from distant airlines in big airports (especially LHR, JFK, and LAX).

#1: 747-400 upper deck. Take-off is smooth as silk.
#2: 777. Big overhead bins; smooth and comfortable (unless you're in coach 2-5-2).

As a frequent flyer, but also a Flight Attendant, I've seen aircraft from both in the seats, as well as from a crew members point of view.

My favourite aircraft is the Airbus A321, though no one seems to have heard of them. Does anyone fly them in the US?

The A321 is a stretched version of the A320 and has all the great features of the A320 but the length and roominess of a 757 or 767. The cabin is split into 3 sections, and the two mid cabin main exit doors offer very nice spacious seating if you are seated at the exit row!

From a crew members point of view, they are a darling to work on. Fully computerised controls, user friendly, and nice spacious and carefully planned out galleys! We love you A321!!

British Midland has several, including one in the new star alliance livery. photos can be downloaded at www.BritishMidland.com in the "ABOUT US" section. click on the "News" link, then click on the "PICTURE LIBRARY" icon at the bottom of the page.

For longhaul, I like the A340 and A330. I also love the 747, simply because it is so big, and really symbolises the glamour age of long haul travel - especially in the 70's when it really made its name, and opened up air travel to millions of people around the world.

This, however, is the voice of a 22 year old, so I don't speak from personal experience of those 'golden years'!

Happy Travels!!!

Samuel

[This message has been edited by SamuelS (edited 06-29-2000).]

As a FedEx employee who can ride jumpseat on our freighters, let me add two perspectives to the mix.

With a freight configuration, my vote goes to the A300 and A310. Both have numerous jumseats, they recline, lots of room...even the seats in the cockpit are roomy and offer a great view. Aside from comfort, the Airbus' are newer and practically fly themselves. I would take a ride in the back of a A300 freighter in this comfort any day over a normal passenger ailine configuration.

On the passenger airline side, I have two favorites, again, depending on where you sit. For economy, its Air Canada's A319's. Lots of room and lots of power. From the business class perspective, I went MIA to SAO last year on an AA 767, and it was by far the easiest 17 hours I have ever had on an aircraft. Movies on big screens, great serice, the seats almost reclined 180 degrees, and a smooth easy ride.

Although not listed as a favorite, I support the discussion on the 757. I went on an AA 757 from YYZ to MIA a couple of years back, and I swear we were off the ground before we had even got to the end of the rubber tracks on the runway.

747, in the forward-most section, at the nosecone bulkhead. Besides the additional physical space afforded, and the perception of openness from the configuration of the seats in that area, the sensation of pivoting well over the runway berm while cornering on taxis is really uncanny.

777, in a window seat next to the wings, on takeoff. Watching the massive wingtips deflect, swooping like a bird's wingtips, and bouncing around in the turbulent air.

FlyAAway:

How did you get to go in an F-16... twice?

I'm a bit over 23--a way bit over... but has anyone ever flown on the old BA VC-10, yep. I said VC-10. They used to fly it from JFK to LHR in the late 60's-early 70's. It looked like a 707, but with four engines in the rear--two by two on either side of the fuselage. Extremely quiet due to the engine placement, comfortable, wide seats,even in coach-- and little wooden footrests under each seat
Up to date choices are the 767-300 with its
2-3-2 seating. Flew to LHR on CP on a 767 in
Dec., returning on Jan. 1, 2000--Y2K Day, had the plane almost to myself, only about 60 pax. Also like the old 727 for its character, and the L1011 for its longevity and guts--14 of them are used by Air Transat here in Canada for daily medium and long haul
flights continuously.
The 757 also gets my vote for power takeoffs--once left DFW in a AA '57, and got to 42,000 feet very quickly after a very short takeoff roll.