Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:19 am
The 777-300ER is actually measurably quieter than the 747-400's that it replaced on many routes. That was one of the goals Boeing set out for; it wasn't by chance.
I love the look of the 747-400, love the speed of it too and I was sad when the 777 started replacing it on the route I fly most often (JFK-NRT). I still have a lot of pics of flying JAL and ANA 747-400's multiple times on that route, but I've also flown them on UA and NW.
BUT, I definitely feel less fatigued after that long of a flight on a 777. The 777-300ER might be loud, but the 747-400 is LOUD. I used to get off the plane with a splitting headache, dizziness and would just generally feel awful for an entire day after flying halfway around the world on a 747-400. I just chalked it up to jetlag at the time, not having any other experience to compare it to. But I just don't feel that way flying in a 777-300ER. I feel basically fine when I get off. The first time I thought it was a fluke, but I've taken probably a dozen more 777-300ER flights on that route since the first and they've all been the same.
It's not just the volume either; the 747 was known throughout its life for a really aggressive yaw damper, and you could easily feel it when sitting in the back. It was like being whipped around even when the air was smooth. The 777 just doesn't have that issue.
I definitely think it's kind of a weird looking plane, but not in an unpleasant way. Once you know it's got a 767 cockpit and nose on a much bigger fuselage, it's impossible to unsee it. It's like a person with a face that's too small for their head and body. But the rest of the body is nicely balanced.
I'm tired of being a wanna-be league bowler. I wanna be a league bowler!