JAAlbert From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 595 posts, RR: 1 Posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 8308 times:
I do enjoy the Hatfields & McCoy style banter running through A.net about our beloved comm. aircraft manufacturers. And like any good, patriotic, God fearing American (who once considered himself Christian to boot -- but doubts I am narrow minded enough to fall within the category any more) I was shocked, SHOCKED when I, like the rest of my US brethren learned that Airbus planned to take on Boeing, and that some airlines actually PREFERRED Airbus products (talk about infidels!).
But really, what other industry in the world has only one manufacturer? Isn't a bit unrealistic to think that only one manufacturer could make decent airplane? (Well yes, we americans sometimes are accused - unfairly of course - of having unrealistic thoughts. But, I digress)
I have been in love with Boeing since a kid watching my dad climb aboard AA's 707s (with the orange lightning bolt livery) as he winged eastward on business trips. And the 747, well you gotta be a hateful person not to be in love with the style of that beast. The 777 is just refinement pure and simple.
I for one am happy admitting that I love the Airbus planes too. The 340 -- gorgeous lines, harkens back to the classic age of the 707s. And the 330, something about those wings makes it look like it can't help but fly, so graceful looking. You may put either on my birthday gift list.
Boeing Things I like:
707 -- the anteanna on the tail fin -- why don't they do that anymore? Sure its unnecessary, but it looks sharp!
717 -- How can you not love styling of this little go-getter? Big jet comfort, regional jet looks. I can't believe airlines didn't buy this in droves.
727 -- Classic 60's retro styling. Three engines!
757 -- Closest thing to a civilian rocket we've got. Love the size of the cabin and its go-get em look in the air. I cried when I heard Boeing ended the production line. What sorta nuts are running the airlines these days to allow this crime of humanity to occur?
767 -- I think the perfect width wide body. Not too huge, just that one blasted middle seat row, very comfortable on a long flight.
777 -- engines as wide as a 737 cabin? Now that's exciting and they just go on forever it seems. Love the huge cabin.
747 -- Famously intimate first class cabin with windows that give you a view out the front of the plane? What other airliner has that? (no I've never been rich enough to actually enjoy this feature, but when I fantasize about matters other than sex, this is the subject). Two Isles long enough to install an in-flight bowling alley, a fun second floor, and a main cabin height high enough to stand a 7 ' christmas tree inside and still have room for the angel on top. And the exterior styling. Again, the plane in flight looks like it was meant to soar with the second floor cockpit swept all the way back.
787 -- bigger windows! Star wars interiors! It looks like it will be an E ticket ride all the way.
Airbus --
330 -- love the graceful lines, specially those wings. Nice interiors.
340 -- love the four engines -- I'm not buying the gas so I really don't mind if Virgin likes lots of engines on it's planes. And what about that stylish interior - the lavatories below deck reached by that neat staircase, and the bars and amenities installed by some of the airlines? Love it.
380 -- Well I'd like to see the interior and its shape is not nearly as streamlined as the 747 (maybe the stretch version will have better dimensions). But double deck cabins! Any plane that promises us cheap economy passengers a bit more wiggle room is my new favorite. And if I win the lottery you know I will be flying in one of those first class pods.
What I do not like of either --
The blasted 737 and 320 families. I've flown in too many to count from many airlines and every single one is cramped and miserable (well yes, I fly economy). Greyhound bus of the sky all of 'em, with greyhound bus style passengers to boot. As much glamour as public transportation in August during a deoderant strike. Please, both boeing and airbus deliver us from the hell of your single isle products!
B742 From Spain, joined Mar 2005, 3710 posts, RR: 25 Reply 2, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 8252 times:
Great post!
Quoting JAAlbert (Thread starter): 757 -- Closest thing to a civilian rocket we've got. Love the size of the cabin and its go-get em look in the air. I cried when I heard Boeing ended the production line. What sorta nuts are running the airlines these days to allow this crime of humanity to occur?
I 100% agree with you on this
You mentioned the 787 but not the A350, what's your view on the A350?
VinnieWinnie From France, joined Nov 2005, 456 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8204 times:
Too right!!!!
Love the fact that you don't take sides with one manufacturer or the other! If some could only think like you there would be 50% less crap posted on this forum!
Let me congratulate you for this wonderful post! You would get the oscar of fairness tonight if such an oscar existed!
Rigo From Australia, joined Sep 2005, 90 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8158 times:
Nice thread!
Quoting B742 (Reply 2): Quoting JAAlbert (Thread starter):
757 -- Closest thing to a civilian rocket we've got. Love the size of the cabin and its go-get em look in the air. I cried when I heard Boeing ended the production line. What sorta nuts are running the airlines these days to allow this crime of humanity to occur?
Personally I don't like the 757, I find it also cramped and noisy and hate disembarking through the single aisle when sitting at the rear of the aircraft...
Quoting B742 (Reply 2): You mentioned the 787 but not the A350, what's your view on the A350?
To me the A350 looks (for the moment) very un-exciting, which in itself is quite a premiere for Airbus! But maybe the few CG pics we know don't do justice to it, after all it would be surprising if it doesn't perpetuate at least some of the A330's grace?
Quoting B742 (Reply 2): You also forgot the A310 and A300 Wink
The A300 is very dear to me, it's the first airliner on which I've flown
Rolfen From Lebanon, joined Jan 2006, 1510 posts, RR: 2 Reply 5, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8153 times:
Quoting JAAlbert (Thread starter): As much glamour as public transportation in August during a deoderant strike.
Haha! wait untill you're stuck on an 8 hour transatlantic flight with the same passengers. I have seen people remove their boots and wander around in boxers.
As for me, I have an unexplainable fascination for the 777, and I like the looks of the a340; like a bird, it looks clumsy on the ground but graceful in the air.
But I still think they should have stuck to the 707 and never come up with anything else
Madairdrie From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2006, 113 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8126 times:
Fantastic post! Wish more people were able to think like you and we could have more serious airline and aviation discussions on here, without the crap of A vrs B. I love the 757 too, and the 777 is my favorite Longhall, although the 747 looks amazing outside the 777 is much nicer inside. But I have a great love too for the 320 series for shorthall, loved them when BMI introduced them - shame they have gone downhill since, but am glad BA have intoduced more into there domestic fleet! I think the 340 and 330 look fantastic in the air, and can't wait until I see the 380 and 787 flying!
Kenneth
Checkraiser From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 8117 times:
Quoting Rigo (Reply 4): Personally I don't like the 757, I find it also cramped and noisy and hate disembarking through the single aisle when sitting at the rear of the aircraft...
One of my most miserable flights was being in the second to last row on an NW 753 MSP-LAS. Seemed like it took almost as long for disembarkation as the actual flight did. Flying one of these trans-Atlantic must be sheer hell.
AlexPorter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 8054 times:
My fourth-ever flight was from DCA-MSP on an NW 752 in 2003, and it was the first flight where I wound up sitting in the far back of the plane. It was a nice flight, but upon landing, I made the mistake of standing up as soon as we parked (as if I were on a school bus). I was also in the window seat, so I wound up standing up craning my neck for a long time. Why on earth I didn't sit back down is a mystery to me.
Nzrich From New Zealand, joined Dec 2005, 1373 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 8030 times:
Quoting JAAlbert (Thread starter): The blasted 737 and 320 families. I've flown in too many to count from many airlines and every single one is cramped and miserable (well yes, I fly economy). Greyhound bus of the sky all of 'em, with greyhound bus style passengers to boot. As much glamour as public transportation in August during a deoderant strike. Please, both boeing and airbus deliver us from the hell of your single isle products!
You hate single isle aircraft and yet you love the 757 hmmm isnt that a single isle aircraft !!!!!! But love it how you can see the good and bad on both side very refreshing reading...
I have to say i Love flying the A320 maybe because we at Air NZ dont squeeze as many in so doesnt feel as crampt ..
JAAlbert From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 595 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 8006 times:
Ah! How could I have forgotten the A-300, the A-310 and the all new A-350?
I've never been on the 300/310, so I don't know much about them, but anything widebody is tops in my book.
I am sure the A-350 will be something special -- its gotta have something great to compete in the category of the 787. I'm sure it will be a classy plane. And I love the skin they intend on using for the plane -- Aluminum lithium or something. Isn't lithium what psychiatrists prescribe as a mood stabilizer along with prozac? Imagine -- a plane that lifts your mood to the heavens along with your butt! Love it!
I just feel terrible over the comments the 757 is suffering on this post. Yes, I guess disembarking is atrocious, but had the airlines kept that door operational towards the back of the plane -- you know the one two-thirds the way back that used to mark the beginning of the aft cabin (loved that little back cabin, think AWA's planes) -- perhaps they could have done something interesting about boarding and disembarking using that back door. Getting off any airplane is for me a trying event (what are they all doing standing in the isles up front?) so I never really paid much attention I guess. I think I like the 757 so much because it had that aft cabin. I just hate being able to see the entire interior of a plane in one glance!
And of course we haven't mentioned our other friends, the Lockheed Tri-star (ballroom sized cabin, with that enormously high ceiling -- could have hung crystal chandeliers over the center seats had the designers some imagination) and the DC-10 -- loved the look and its sound and there was always a bit of a thrill riding in one wondering whether we were going to survive the experience. The MD-80 etc. -- appreciate the 2-3 seating configuration and when feeling exotic, I enjoyed taking a window seat next to a rear engine. Marvelous, tho a bit deafening on take off.
Nwafflyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 981 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 7983 times:
I love the older planes, the DC-9, the DC-10. Yes, I also love the Airbus 330, and I surely respect the 763. The 757 - all versions -- is a great plane, but the interior bins are too small. I prefer the Airbus 319 to the 320, only because there are first class feet rests.
I have well over a million life time flight miles, fly NW, CO, DL primarily, and have been on most of their planes - from the NW SAAB to the CO Beechcrat to the DL funny looking (forget what it's called, prop plane that Aeromar also flies). I've flown short hops - DTW/FNT, CLE/FNT, and long hauls - transcontinental and transatlantic. Still like the older planes best -- is that just because I'm old too?
Jrosa From Brazil, joined Jun 2005, 351 posts, RR: 15 Reply 12, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 7881 times:
JAAlbert,
welcome to a.net and to my Resp Users list, your post is great, it is very interesting.
I had enough of that stupid A. v B. war, those posts without any content just in the style "mine is better, bigger and yours is a piece of shit" is a waste of time and internet traffic.
Do you have any comments about the MD11, the most beautiful airliner around?
Centrair From Japan, joined Jan 2005, 3442 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 7839 times:
This is a great thread.
For me if it flies its great. When I have time, I go out to my beloved Centrair and watch the planes come in. Everything from CRJs and Q400s to A343s and 747s (No 345/6 yet...thats in October). Actually I saw my first A345 last fall and thought it was amazing.
A friend once asked why I have photos of many different aircraft. I said, "I don't have loyalty to an aircraft. I have loyalty to the beauty and miracle of flight."
I am not a pilot and would never want to be one (too much responsiblity). But sitting in a plane no matter its size, maker or MTOW and knowing it will take me someplace else is a total thrill. Everything from stepping across the threshold between gate and craft, that rush of take-off, the voyage and view, the descent and stepping off at another location are amazing. I have flown on Airbus, Boeing, McDonald Douglas, Bombardier and a Chinese prop. All were little adventures in themselves and added to my love of aviation.
My wife didn't understand it till we went to HKG and she started looking at the livery designs, the thinking about the interior differences. She will never be a huge fan but she respects it.
Yes...I am not a KIX fan. Let's Japanese Aviation!
JAAlbert From United States of America, joined Jan 2006, 595 posts, RR: 1 Reply 14, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 7767 times:
Jeez, so many great airplanes!
Yes! The MD-11 -- what a great plane. I love the refinement on the DC-10 styling -- the longer fuselage, the tail and the winglets.
It was a sad day when McDonnell Douglas pulled out of the commercial airliner market! It was just terrible the company ran out of cash and couldn't create a full line of planes like Boeing and Airbus. I also miss the MD 11s-- they were once an increasingly frequent sight at the great airports, but are now a rarity. Pity!
I never got to fly the DC-8 and I fear I may go to my grave not having flown on one. I always wondered about the windows -- they seemed farther apart than those of the 707, what was it like having a window seat in that aircraft? I once had the chance to fly one in 1993 or so, but the choice was the DC-8 or a Tri-Star. I chose the tri-star. It was a wrenching decision from which I haven't fully recovered.
As for airplanes, as you can see, I love them too much to pick one over the other. I agonize in planning a trip -- I plan not according to schedule, but what plane I get to fly. It takes me months to plan a trip because I have to investigate the full range of aircraft available. I try and fly a number of different aircraft every trip so I get to try them all. I do the same with the airlines! I'm a member of 20 frequent flyer programs and have about 3,000 miles per club. I can't help it, I love to fly.
Being that I am in SAN, my dream is to fly the most elusive of airlines -- those fabulous companies of the middle east! Dubai anyone?
767-332ER From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2028 posts, RR: 16 Reply 15, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 4 days 6 hours ago) and read 7661 times:
Quoting Gr8Circle (Reply 1): I wouldn't count the A320 in that.....the 737 - definitely YES!!! A very congested aircraft indeed.....!!!
Try IB and their A320 fleet anyday then come back and tell me about that statement.
Personally, I can't tell the difference between either or...actually prefer the 737NG fleet as the window seat doesn't seem like the wall is closing in on you as in the A320 family. Here are similar photos of both aircraft that will prove my theory. I honestly do not see how people always whine about the 737NG cabins in comparison to the A320 family. Check out what I was talking about below, look at the passengers on the left-side of the photo and the degree of curvature of the walls:
Airbus A320
Lexer From Italy, joined Sep 2005, 117 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 7071 times:
wow, finally an enthusiasts' thread, love it.
yes, the A330 would fly if you threw a model in the air. The 777 would go anywhere forever wouldn it? I mean, those wings are so clean.
What can I say, I agree with all you said. One special place in my mind is for the Caravelle, if only because my first flight as a kid was on one of them. Kinda forgot the interior because I was glued to the window enjoying the new perspective.
AMSSpotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2005, 271 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 6886 times:
Quoting 767-332ER (Reply 15): look at the passengers on the left-side of the photo and the degree of curvature of the walls:
You can't really use these 2 pictures to compare because the picture that was taken inside the A320 seems to be taken a little closer to the side-panels. That's why it looks like the panels in the Airbus are less curved (have no preference for either A or B).
Leothedog From United States of America, joined Dec 2005, 136 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 6802 times:
767-332ER From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2028 posts, RR: 16 Reply 20, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 22 hours ago) and read 6737 times:
Quoting AMSSpotter (Reply 18): Quoting 767-332ER (Reply 15):
look at the passengers on the left-side of the photo and the degree of curvature of the walls:
You can't really use these 2 pictures to compare because the picture that was taken inside the A320 seems to be taken a little closer to the side-panels. That's why it looks like the panels in the Airbus are less curved (have no preference for either A or B).
Well, you could have dissected the picture a bit more and found that the 30cm difference isn't a problem. So I have wasted my time finding a picture that is about exactly the same distance, just on the other side.
A320
KrisYYZ From Canada, joined Nov 2004, 1178 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 6551 times:
Great thread!!!
Boeing and Airbus have completely different philosophy when it comes building planes. The most noticeable difference is in the flight deck, where Airbus has given the last word to the flight computer and Boeing has given it to the pilot.
Airbus still believes in the 4 engine design thereby avoiding ETOPS, where has Boeing has invested in the ETOPS twin engine style.
Its hard and not completely fair to compare a lot of Airbus vs. Boeing planes as some of them have a 10 year design gap, but from personal experience:
The Edge:
A320 over B737 - Cabin ,FBW, smoother ride.
A330 over B767 - Cabin, performance, look
B777 over A340- Cabin, performance, speed, look, 2 vs 4 engines,
B747-8 over A380- Just a predication.
AMSSpotter From Netherlands, joined Feb 2005, 271 posts, RR: 1 Reply 23, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 21 hours ago) and read 6451 times:
Quoting 767-332ER (Reply 20): So I have wasted my time finding a picture that is about exactly the same distance, just on the other side.
Lol, I never asked you to find a set of pictures that were taken from the same angle.
But, indeed, the side-panels on the A320 do look a bit more curved than those on the B737. I guess experience will tell which aircraft is more preferred. If it's the Boeing: great. If it's the Airbus: wonderful.
DC10Forever From Brazil, joined Oct 2005, 82 posts, RR: 0 Reply 24, posted (3 years 11 months 1 week 3 days 20 hours ago) and read 6203 times:
Very nice thread. As my nick says, I really love the lines and style of the DC-10. My first flight ever was back in 1980 in an Iberia DC-10 from VCP to MAD and I became a fan of this aircraft. However, I don''t like the MD-11. Weird.
25 COEWR787: I could go for that. The 707 holds a very special place in my heart. It was the very first plane that I ever flew in, back in 1965 - AI 505 Delhi - M
26 FlyBoy84: Great post! Looking at the pictures of the two cabins, the 73G seems to have a smaller gap between the seats where the armrest is which gives the impr
27 YukonTrader: Hi JAAlbert Although narrower than a 737 or 320, I love(d) the MD-80 family. On my first trip in what was called DC-9-81 back then, I was surprised wh
28 Theredbaron: Cool thread.... My favs are all 3 holers...the 727 as a single aisle (flew them in Mexicana lots of times) The L-1011 tristar and the Dc-10 incredible
29 AA777223: Thanks for the unbiased thread. I have been fortunate enough to fly on almost all variants of both airbus and boeing products, and I can totally appre
30 Texfly101: I do like the tenor and tone of this thread. While I am a B person both in vocation and avocation, I do admire A for the products that they produce. I
32 Nwafflyer: Oh boy, yes, I do like this thread -- I've been flying for years -- Ozark airlines on a dc-3 in the 60's, before that a few prop transatlantic flights
33 Dougloid: Well, that's like saying that a guy who got mugged and had his throat slit was just laying down for a nap. McDonnell Douglas was gobbled up by Boeing
34 Alessandro: I like Boeings 747 (what a bold move to build that aircraft) and the tripple-7, otherwise I´m not too fond of their products, 727 was a good plane du
35 Nwafflyer: But. those of us fflyers no longer fly on a lockheed plane - almost impossible, but we can still appreciate the remnants of Douglas when we fly with B
36 ER757: Yeah, no kidding - what a great look that was! As for my likes/dislikes Boeing Love the 747 and the 777, not so fond of the 737 and 757. Very much lo
37 JAAlbert: Looks like this thread is winding down. Thanks to all who responded and for the kind comments. We'll have to do it again soon!
38 Glareskin: Now the tri-star, that is a real beauty! How about her JAAlbert? Thanks for posting it anyway. I thought the unbiased species extincted some while ag
39 YukonTrader: Hi NWAfflyer, if you say 50s / 60s, it must most probably have been a DC-6B or a DC-7C. Any chance that you recall the registration, or the name & arm
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One of my most miserable flights was being in the second to last row on an NW 753 MSP-LAS. Seemed like it took almost as long for disembarkation as the actual flight did. Flying one of these trans-Atlantic must be sheer hell.
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