Deltaflyertoo From United States, joined Nov 2000, 1251 posts, RR: 1 Posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 1045 times:
I just recently, for the first time, flew with American on one of their 737-800s and I really can't say I was impressed.
Performance wise the a/c I'm sure is great. But, interior wise it sucks compared to an Airbus. First, the overhead bins are identical to the ones on Airbus. Second, if you are sitting on the window seat, with an Airbus the light that is attached to the overhead actually shines over the middle seat because the wall curves over that far when intercepting the overhead. Make sense? I see Boeing is still using the exact dimensiuons as the first 737 that came out over 30 years ago. And finally, the overhead ceilings look the same as the 737-200/100s.
Why does AA install TV monitors instead of popdowns? At least w/ popdowns you can use the 738 on short trips and never have them come down vs. having blank monitors.
Mls515 From United States, joined Jun 2000, 3033 posts, RR: 6 Reply 1, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 855 times:
First, the overhead bins are identical to the ones on Airbus.
Why is this a bad thing if you say that it "sucks compared to an Airbus"?
Second, if you are sitting on the window seat, with an Airbus the light that is attached to the overhead actually shines over the middle seat because the wall curves over that far when intercepting the overhead. Make sense?
No it doesn't make sense. I would hope that the light would shine on the seat it is intended for. You make it sound as if the Airbus lights are misaligned.
I see Boeing is still using the exact dimensiuons as the first 737 that came out over 30 years ago.
Well, it is after all a 737...... You don't explain why this is a bad thing.
And finally, the overhead ceilings look the same as the 737-200/100s.
Again you don't explain why this is a bad thing.
One of these days I'll have to catch a flight on an Airbus narrowbody to see if I think there is a difference.
Deltaflyertoo From United States, joined Nov 2000, 1251 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 803 times:
IMO I think the similarities between the 737-200 and the NG is that the NG is the latest improvement in design. So why would they have an interior that looks 30 years old, albeit the overhead bins? Everything else about the 737NGs are designed for the future. And, sitting behind the wings of these things after having many flights on the 737 classics, this is obvious. You can definetly feel these things flying faster, higher and quieter than their "classic" predessors. So the interior, why so old looking?
Anyone who has flown the Airbus 319/320 and sat on the window should know what I mean.
Deltaflyertoo From United States, joined Nov 2000, 1251 posts, RR: 1 Reply 3, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 765 times:
Bove: You are right, I'm probably the only one in the world that has noticed, but hey, we are all airline freaks on this forum and we all have to admit, when it comes to fetishes and planes, we all have them! Mine are the interiors!
BlueShamu330s From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2001, 1754 posts, RR: 17 Reply 6, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 721 times:
Hmmm, yet another Bus v Boeing thread.
When I'm travelling down the back, I must admit that I prefer the 'bus.
I'm not what you'd call large, but I do find the seating in the 737 to be rather tight, especially the seat width.
With the new style bins on the 737/8/9, their larger size does seem to encroach considerably more on the cabin, which reduces the perceived spaciousness whilst also increasing the feeling that you're sat in a narrow tube.
The busses, on the other hand, are physically larger, and it does show. Even in a high density config., I find it easier to get comfortable......try eating a meal on a 737/8/9 without rubbing arms and shoulders with the person next to you !
And am I the only person who gets neck ache from looking through a 737's window ?
These qualities have obviously not been ignored by the majors; consider how many were once big time 727 or 737 operators but who are now big on busses:
British Airways
BMI British Midland
Sabena RIP
Air France
United
Mexicana
Lufthansa
NWA
to name just a few.
The Boeing is a superb example of technical evolution. Personally, however, I think Boeing should have bitten the bullet and gone for a clean sheet when deciding to replace the 300/400/500s. The A320 was too early in its life at the time for a major change, so Boeing could have stolen a lead and designed a true market leader, just as the 100/200s were at their inception.
As things stand, passenger preference for the bus and the economics of a complete range of aircraft with total commonality might prove to be too irresistable for other airlines to ignore.
Shamu
So I drive a 4x4. So what?! Tax the a$$ off me for it...oh, you already have... :-(
WarriorII From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 595 times:
"With the new style bins on the 737/8/9, their larger size does seem to encroach considerably more on the cabin, which reduces the perceived spaciousness whilst also increasing the feeling that you're sat in a narrow tube.
The busses, on the other hand, are physically larger, and it does show. Even in a high density config., I find it easier to get comfortable......try eating a meal on a 737/8/9 without rubbing arms and shoulders with the person next to you !
And am I the only person who gets neck ache from looking through a 737's window ?
Ever try sitting in a window seat in any Airbus for that matter? You kinda' get the feeling the wall is creeping up on you, taking away arm space. And it's the same thing on the A320, the passanger cabin is pushed upwards to make way for the cargo hold, therefore "lowering" the window, and taking away from arm space.
Cba From United States, joined Jul 2000, 4299 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (7 years 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 586 times:
The only difference in space between the bus and the 737 is those extra 7 inches of cabin width. Thats an extra INCH per person. One Inch. Now you can't tell me that one inch makes a difference. I flew a CO 73G and a UA A319 within several months of eachother. The only difference in both flights (besides the stuff that varies from airline to airline) was that the A319 was slighly quieter on takeoff. Both were equally quiet during cruise and landing. Both also climbed very quickly.
BlueShamu330s From United Kingdom, joined Sep 2001, 1754 posts, RR: 17 Reply 11, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 515 times:
Call it what you like, but all the crap about cabin width does make a difference.
BA did a customer survey in which passengers were asked what the liked or disliked about the aircraft they were travelling in. In the "comments" section, more than 80% of the respondents travelling on the 319/320 specifically mentioned space as being greater in the A320 compared to the 737.
BMI carried out a very similar passenger census amongst its frequent fliers, and, surprise surprise, the most common comment was that there was more room on the bus, and the 2 most common keywords used were "spacious" and "comfortable."
Of course, a few thousand customers could be totally wrong, but in an era when competition and revenue drives everything, which airline CEO would be dumb enough to ignore such comments when replacing or upgrading his/her fleet ?
Regards
Shamu
So I drive a 4x4. So what?! Tax the a$$ off me for it...oh, you already have... :-(
Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 9991 posts, RR: 24 Reply 12, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 506 times:
1" per person does not sound like much, but relative to the amount of space available per person it suddenly becomes more.
The seatwidth on a 737 is say 20" (maybe a bit more) not counting the armrest. 1" is 5% extra space, which can make the difference between having to squeeze in and to sit down.
I haven't flown a lot of busses, and that quite some time ago (this being Boeing country) so I can't speak from personal experience, but 737s do have narrow seats (especially in economy, business is nice ).
VS744 From United Kingdom, joined Aug 2001, 666 posts, RR: 1 Reply 13, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 484 times:
IMO:
Having flown on dozens of 737's (200,300,400,500,800) and 757's(200) they are definately more "cramped" than the Airbus narrowbodies.
Nothing beats the 757 in terms of its grace and looks, but in terms of interior comfort, the boeings lose.
It may only be 7" wider, but it makes a difference!
I have got the Airbus A320 range specification for Airlines at home, and it is very heavily compared to the 737 and 757 aircraft throughout. The cross sections of the airbus and 757 are placed alongside each other, and even pictorally the airbus looks considerably bigger, although it isnt that much bigger!
ContinentalEWR From United States, joined May 2000, 3737 posts, RR: 13 Reply 14, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 482 times:
I disagree. I like the 737-800. It's crisp, modern, and a nice ride. I was skeptical about it, going to San Francisco from Newark in January last year on Continental and it was a great flight. Smooth ride and although our flight was delayed one hour on departure owing to an approaching mega-snow storm, we arrived in SFO 35 minutes ahead of schedule.
AA767400 From United States, joined Jan 2001, 1853 posts, RR: 17 Reply 16, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 427 times:
I like both the 737NG and A320 family. but I do work
the 738 all the time, and I have been on the A320 many times. I can tell you deltaflyertoo, that the 738 does not have the same overhead bins as the A320. The
A320's are larger. That is why I prefer that 320's overhead bin space. but I love them both!
Mandala499 From Indonesia, joined Aug 2001, 4113 posts, RR: 48 Reply 18, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 402 times:
As someone who likes to nodd off on a window seat... I find the circular cross section of the A320 family less comfortable to lean on than the 737s' more oval cross section. I'd fly on any of the 2 (except a Lufthansa A321)...
Looking at the pics, I don't see much difference between the classics and the NGs except for the optical illusion of the new design giving the perception of more space... (WTF? So where's the real space?)
Mandala499
When losing situational awareness, pray Cumulus Granitus isn't nearby !
Prebennorholm From Denmark, joined Mar 2000, 4798 posts, RR: 50 Reply 19, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 7 hours ago) and read 381 times:
Why do we always discuss exact measures in emotional terms?
The 320 cabin is 7 inches wider than the 737. In 3x3 configuration there are four places where shoulder/elbows meet. With the same aisle width, if the shoulder/elbow separation is 2 inches on the 737, then it is 2 plus 7/4 = 3.75 inches on the 320. That's quite simple math.
On my emotional scale: With 3x3 config. the 320 is tight, the 737 is cramped.
Some airlines have figured it, and at least in business class configured their 737s 2x3. That of course beats everything.
But what does it matter? Both planes are made for flights lasting no more than a few hours. The tighter shoulder separation is more disturbing on a transatlatic flight on a 3x3 configured 757 which shares the 737 (727, 707) cabin width.
And after all legroom is a far more important comfort parameter. And totally airline decision dependant.
My only long flight on a Boeing 3x3 configured narrow body plane was on a 707 fifteen years ago. We were 11 pax on board. I put up the armrests and slept on 3 seats, quite comfu...
Regards, Preben Norholm
Always keep your number of landings equal to your number of take-offs, Preben Norholm
Travelin man From United States, joined Mar 2000, 2833 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 337 times:
First of all, the original post makes no sense. The writer says the Airbus is better, and then sites the Boeing's overhead bins that are like the Airbus' overhead bins as a Boeing "drawback".
Huh?
As far as seat width goes, I believe each airline puts in seats to its specifications. For instance, on United, their seat width is 18" on their A320s. On Northwest, it is 17.17". (Both figures come directly from those airline's websites.)
The Boeing 737-800 looks like it has uniform 17" seat width (at least on the DL and AA planes).
If you think passengers notice the .17" difference in width between a NW A320 and an AA 738, you are crazy. And frankly, what I would notice as a passenger (and have noticed), is the difference in seat pitch: 31-32" on a NW A320 vs. 33-36" on an AA 738.
I'm not going to get into an A vs. B war, just pointing out that anyone who says one plane has substantial advantages over the other (ESPECIALLY when it comes to airline-specific measurements of seat pitch and width) is wrong.
IAHERJ From United States, joined Jun 2001, 560 posts, RR: 8 Reply 21, posted (7 years 1 week 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 286 times:
I don't know if this has been said, but the overheads and interior of the 737-800's vary from airline to airline. Continental has the large overheads that can accomodate roll-ons straight in allowing about 4-5 across. Continental also is installing an extra lav in the center of the aircraft like the -900. Continental also has the pop down screens and psu lights that can be moved around for your reading pleasure. Don't knock the aircraft, as it is only as comfortable as the airline chooses it to be.
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