Does it really matter which aircraft you are flying? If long-haul, which do you prefer? I'm doing a story on this.

Oh most definite it matters the most. I always prefer the 744 over the 343 or the 777 on long hauls. I once almost cried when one of my CX flight which was scheduled to be operated by the 744 got substituted by the A343 at the last moment. The A343 is just pure ugly and uncomfortable.

On a long haul, sure it does matter.
I prefer 747 ^ (400, 200, 300, combi doesn't matter). Second choice A340.
I think 777 are terrible.

Sure can't wait for the innagural A380. ^

Yes, but it varies by carrier, configuration, and class of service. To such a degree, to make an exercise in generalities totally futile.

I suppose the one fair generalization is that some prefer aircraft with three or four engines (e.g. 747s, 340s, MD-11s/DC-10s) overwater to twin-engine birds. For reasons of safety and peace of mind.

P.S. I'd prefer the Concorde any day of the week were it still available and were somebody else to pick up the tab.

It also depends on class of service. When flying Y class, a 747 can be a dicey proposition. In the typical 3-4-3 configuration, there are 4 middle seats. For a 777, there are 2 middle seats and one middle-middle. Unless you have status or can pre-reserve seats (not always easy on non-US carriers), the 767 and A340 offer more windows and aisles.

All things being equal, when flying C-class, I prefer the 747.

What do you find so objectionable about the A340? I have found it to be spacious, modern, and quiet after flying it on CX and SQ. Granted, I was in C for those flights, but I think the A340 is a fine craft.

"All things being equal" (and they never really are), and assuming a premium cabin, I'd pick a 747. They just feel better. It is a hard comparison, because my best flights, service-wise, and to some degree, seat comfort-wise have generally been on A340s. I might like the 777 better than the 340, but there's where the configuration, etc. comes into play.

The 747 has one of the highest cruising speeds out there. It makes a difference on a 10+ hour flight when you can get off of the thing sooner.

Bingo! For all the time I've spent on 777's, thus the handle, the 747 is by far my favorite. UA and CX were great.

Yes the shorter flight time in the 744 compared to the A340s or tripple 7 is also another bonus +.

The description on my orginal post says it all. I always get a sense of crampness onboard the A343s.

Best

1st A330-200/300
2nd A340-300/600/500
3rd B777-200/200ER
4th B747-400
5th B777-300/300ER

Worst

1st B757-300
2nd B767-300/300ER/200/400
3rd CRJ / CL-65
4th B737 all series
5th A310-300

Cheers

On short-haul, I'm actually a big fan of props (particularly the Dash-8 Q400s). It satisfies the kid in me, who feels it's more like 'real' flying. The fact they can land at LCY is an additional bonus. But there's been several occasions I've chosen something like LCY-DUS-PRG on props in preference to LHR-PRG direct.

Long-haul, it depends on the class. I've yet to go on an A340, but in Y, I like the 777 just for the sense of additional space afforded by the height of the cabin.

At the pointy end, however, the 747 comes up trumps, because of odd shape. The nose and upstairs cabins give a great sense of privacy, ideal for the premium cabins. On other aircraft, it just doesn't feel the same, with the honourable exception of some DC-10/MD11 layouts (e.g. KLM's MD11), which also has an isolated front cabin (not quite the nose, but the layout 'works' somehow.

Having not flown with a 747 of any kind I definitely prefer the 340/330 over 777.