I've noticed that Boeing publishes surveys stating that around 3/4 of customers prefer the Boeing 777 over the Airbus 330/340 line. Of course, it is likely that this market survey was conducted by a party sympathetic to Boeing.

Which aircraft do folks on this bulletin board prefer? Please register your vote, along with reasoning.

Even though the overhead bins are funkier on the Boeing, my vote is for the A340:
- seems quieter
- 4 engines instead of 2 inspires confidence
- 2-4-2 seating in economy means fewer middle seats

....and if this topic has been covered before, please provide links!

I really like both...but the 340 wins by a bit.

Dorian



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I have never been on a 330 or 340 so by default the 777 wins.

340 by a thin margin... quiet, four engines.

even though I'm European, i don't trust Airbus technology too much. I discussed the topic with a seasoned pilot who told me that some of his fellow pilots always cross their fingers beofre flying an Airbus and that himself would prefer flying a non serviced B-707 rather than an A-340...

IMO, B-777 is quite silent, compared to B-747 but that's true that 4 engines inspires more confidence. In the end of the day, I would vote in favour of the B-777!

Just because the 340 has 4 engines does not mean that it will do any better than a 777 if an engine fails. Just one of the 777 engines create 77,200 lbs were as the 340 only creates 31 200 lbs.

I personally like the 777 better cleaner look, more airy and much lighter.

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Onic
http://go.to/iapdb
"Life Is A Journey Not A Guided Tour"

Based purely and superificially on my personal comfort on the flights, I have to go for the A-330/340 but that is because I was in int'l business class (AC 340, US 330) on the ABs and domestic economy on the 777 (NH).

I found the 330 to be rather noisy in the cabin (ventilation). The 340 had no overhead storage compartments (a nuisance).

The NH 777 had a dreadful metallic grinding sound from the engines (PW).

As for number of engines, I crossed the Pacific 4x in a twin in the last 12 months, the Atlantic 6x.

[This message has been edited by terenz (edited 09-06-2000).]

IMHO, all modern passenger aircraft are both very safe & offer almost the same levels of basic comfort. Both major manufacturers have 2 engine long range aircraft in service, so I think the 2 vs. 4 engine discussion is probably not that important.

At the end of the day, its the airline you fly that makes or breaks the experience. Boeings & Airbuses can be configured in different fashions. My favorite aircraft (just for looks) is one I almost never fly... the MD11 !!! Just my $0.02.-




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Gaucho100K

In relation to comfort, the 777 should be more comfortable since it has a wider fuselage. The noise factor is dependent upon the were you are sitting as well as the which engine type and insulation used in aircraft.

In relation to safety, a 4 engine aircraft is preferred because of the increased redundancy. However, the dependability of modern aircraft today make any aircraft only has safe as the pilots flying it.

I find the 777 to be noisier than the 747. Did IAD-LHR in a 747-400, then three days later LHR-EWR in a 777, both on UA. Both seats were windows in business near the front of the wing. With earplugs and N/C headphones in place, the 747 was definitely more quiet, as well as "smoother" in terms of low level vibrations felt through the seats and floor.

I find aircraft comfort to be more a function of what sort of configuration an airline chooses to fit, such as seats (width, pitch, recline, legrest setup) and entertainment systems.

But I think that the A-340 has an edge in economy in that it is one seat narrower and will only have 2 middle seats per row while the 777 will always have 3 (assuming 8-across on the A-340 and 9-across on the 777).

I don't care much about the Boeing vs. Airbus safety debate as accidents seem to be a combination of factors and rarely just a design or manufacturing inferiority these days.

I flew Lufthansa's A340, Swissair's A330 and both BA'a and Continental's 777.
In coach (I flew the Airbuses only in coach and the 777 in coach and BF on both airlines) I prefer the Airbus. The 2-4-2 seating gives the person seating by the window only up to one person between him and the isle. the 3-3-3 seating in the 777 is not so friendly to the window sitter
I Buisness(Or BF in Continental) the 777 wins because it's a wider plane and the 2-2-2 seating allows wider seats and much more comfort.

For me, the difference is entirely how the planes are outfitted by the operating airline. If there is a full size sleeper seat in the A330, and just a regular First Class seat in the 777, I'd take the A330.

globetrotter

I agree with Kurt 100%. Both of these are planes are mighty safe! The 777 can fly with one engine just as easily as the Airbus can fly with 3.

As far as comfort, that just depends on how they are configured. I'd take whichever plane had a powerport for my laptop!

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Travel is a powerful antidote to contemporary American arrogance.

Also consider with 4 engines your 2x as likely to have a mech. problem. This can relate to more cancellations and delays. It does matter if you only have 1/2 or 3/4 of your engines, your landing ASAP and staying down till it's fixed.

As far as comfort, I'll take the bus

Freefaller12k

[This message has been edited by freefaller12k (edited 09-08-2000).]

I don't agree with you FreeFaller12k.
The situation is 100% or not. it does not matter whether you have 1/2 or 3/4. If an engine fails the plane will land ASAP and stay on the ground until the one engine is fixed regardless of the number of well fuctioning engines.

[This message has been edited by apirchik (edited 09-08-2000).]