Zweed From Netherlands, joined Apr 2004, 455 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 4849 times:
The take-off was very impressive. fast and powerfulö. But that was basically the only impressive thing about it.
Uncomfortable seats, they were really narrow and not as comfortable as the seats on a MD-90 or a 737.
Been flying in a DASH 8 400 twice and I must say its crap. From now on im going to try avoiding it.
Finnwings From Finland, joined Oct 2003, 640 posts, RR: 3 Reply 3, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 4791 times:
I have flown once too and it was SAS Commuter CPH-CGN flight... Very powerful and not loud, but ATR72-500 and Saab 2000 are more silent. Seats were narrow but legroom OK...
I would say ATR72-500 offers much more comfortable ride, but DHC-8 Q400 is fine too.
Geg2rap From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 838 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 4672 times:
man I love the dash 8 400 I very quiet and nice ride everytime I have been on it only turbotrop I would pay to fly on....really wish NW would bring those around and lower cost in ARJ markets
N730AS From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 126 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 4656 times:
The Dash-8-400 series offers way more room in the cabin than any CRJ I have ever been in. It take off performance is amazing to say the least. It is fairly quiet compared to the Dash-8-100 and Dash-8-200 series (though I cannot make any remark about the -300, having never flown on one). All of my -400 flights have been on Horizon. Who will you be flying with ScottishLaddie?
SA7700 From South Africa, joined Dec 2003, 2916 posts, RR: 20 Reply 8, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 4657 times:
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We fly SA Express Airways DH8's on a regular basis, BFN-JNB-BFN, as there are no other alternatives. Once in a while you're in a luck and get on one of the CRJ's.
Cabin noise is quite bad and the plane is a giant vibrator. I especially hate it when I get back from a longhaul like SA - New York">JFK-JNB or SYD-JNB and I still have to get on a DH8 for the final leg, going home.... It always feel like an eternity on the DH8.
When you are doing stuff that nobody has done before, there is no manual – Kevin McCloud
Planemaker From Tuvalu, joined Aug 2003, 5480 posts, RR: 35 Reply 10, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 4622 times:
ScottishLaddie:
"Well so far I can see that it is gaining mixed reviews!"
Yes, because a lot of posters don't know what they are talking about and are merely being subjective. Specifications are specifications - a seat that is 17.2 inches in a 737 is the same width as a seat that is 17.2" in a Q400!
FYI, a Dash-8-200 & -300 are NOT a Q400.
First of all, the Q400 has the NVS system that allows it to have the quietest turboprop interior with the lowest vibration levels. This was later adapted to the other series BUT there are few Q200's & Q300's delivered!
Second, the PWC 150 is NOT the same as the PWC 123 on the -200 and -300 and the 850 cruise RPM is up to 20% lower. Furthermore, the Q400 is six bladed vs 4 for the others and is located futher away from the cabin. So the 6-bladed 150 is much quieter, even on the ramp and cruises much faster - 360 knots versus 287 knots for the Q300. In fact, the block times between the Q400 and the CRJ700 are only a few minutes apart.
N730AS post is accurate. Horizon has both a fleet of Q400s and CRJ700s and his comments are spot on.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. - A. Einstein
Greg From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 11, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 4576 times:
Firstly, that wasn't my post. I'm well aware of the seat width being the same. But the 400 has it's own set of discomforts...that being vibration--an area that Canadair says is NOT an issue (yeah, right) ..and susceptibility to bounce around quite a bit---I don't think it handles turbulence well at all.
You're right in that the observations and opinions are all subjective---how can they be otherwise?
We've put the -400 on our corporate 'no fly' list in our travel profiles. Give me a CRJ anyday!
But hey...at least we gave it a chance. Most folks won't even book on a prop no matter generation....
Planemaker From Tuvalu, joined Aug 2003, 5480 posts, RR: 35 Reply 12, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 4534 times:
Greg:
I was not referring to your post at all. You didn't mention anything about width so why would I tie you to it. The quotes I used are from 2 other posts. As for the rest, I was referring to posts from people who hadn't been on a Q400 or were saying things such as that the ATR or Saab are quieter, when they are factually not. At least N730AS has had trips on Horizon's Q400 and CRJ700s.
The only 3 things that the CRJ has going for it is that it doesn't have props, it is faster, and it has a higher service ceiling. On the other hand, the CRJ has a lower cabin height and narrower floor. And ride wise there is very little difference as the Q400 has very similar wing loading. In fact, a Q400 with more pax and fuel than a CRJ will ride through turbulence better. So ride quality depends on each trip's "luck"... take-off weight and weather. And noise wise, the Q400 cabin is actually quieter than the CRJ although it does have slightly more vibration. But if you sit at the rear of a CRJ than there is virtually no difference vibration wise. Those are facts.
As you say, at least you tried both. However, it is impossible to argue against subjective beliefs and pax preference and that is why turboprops are going the way of the dinos.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. - A. Einstein
N730AS From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 126 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 4532 times:
I believe that it is called "Bombardier" now. Greg, why would you're company make such a quick decision to put the -400 on a "no fly" list? Here is what I have found:
Bombardier CRJ-700: Seat pitch (average distance between seats) is 31" and slightly more in exit rows. Seat width is 17". All seats upholstered in leather.
Bombardier Dash-8-400: Seat pitch (average distance between seats) is 33". Seat width is 17". All seats upholstered in leather.
Bombardier Dash-8-200: Seat pitch (average distance between seats) is 31" and slightly more in exit rows. Seat width is 17.25". All seats upholstered in leather.
So here are some examples of an average US carrier. Do these seat pitch and width number change much with other carriers?
EuroLeb From Canada, joined Apr 2004, 145 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 10 hours ago) and read 4449 times:
I've never flown a Q-400 before. However, a couple of my friends did and they told be they swore by it! I think some people here are mixing up between the Dash8-100, 200, 300 and 400! I personally have flown on the 100 and 200 and I found them very noisy and uncomfortable. However, I'm quite certain the Q-400, which has the newest technology, the widest seats and the quietest cabins of all would be dramatically different. I hope one day I'll be able to fly one myself!
Planemaker From Tuvalu, joined Aug 2003, 5480 posts, RR: 35 Reply 15, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 9 hours ago) and read 4393 times:
EuroLeb,
"However, I'm quite certain the Q-400, which has the newest technology, the widest seats and the quietest cabins of all would be dramatically different."
Just to set you straight -- the -Q100 & -Q200 are exactly the same aircraft except for the turbine engines... the -Q200 has the same engines as the -Q300 which is a stretch of the 100/200... and the -Q400 is a further stretch with different engines and new avionics, systems, etc. BUT they ALL have the exact same fuselage cross section and the same size seats. The interiors are all identical. The "Q" in the latest version of the Dash 8s stands for "Quiet" because they have the NVS System - Noise and Vibration Supression System. So if you are seated in front of the wings you would not know if you were flying in a Q200 or a Q400. There is virtually no difference for the passenger.
Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind. - A. Einstein
FlyingNanook From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 830 posts, RR: 14 Reply 16, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 4343 times:
I flew a Q400 a couple of months ago with Horizon. I must say that I prefer the -200 but I would take a Q400 over an RJ any day. They're much more comfortable, plus for some odd reason the sound from the props can lull me to sleep in minutes.
SuperDash From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 563 posts, RR: 0 Reply 17, posted (9 years 3 weeks 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 4276 times:
I don't call it SuperDash for nothing. I love the Q400. I have been on countless Horizon flights. It is way more comfortable than the CRJ. It rides turblulance very well and solid. And it is very very quiet inside. Better than a 737 (behind the wing). Throw on some of Horizon's free beer or wine and I will ride them anywhere anytime. BTW-I like the Dash 8-200's as well, but the 400 is the best regional plane going.
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