Boeing or Bus????

[spleisher]

I know this can be a hot topic, but I was curious... from a strictly passenger-perspective... do most of us prefer the Boeings or the Airbuses? Which would you rather fly on? So that we're comparing apples to apples, lets compare the 737 to the A319-20-21. What do you all think?

Scott

[spiffyone]

Actually I have never flown an airbus. Do certain airlines go with certain types of planes? I have flown Delta and now, in a few weeks, Southwest. 757s and 737s all. Oh, and a few MD-80s.

:hamster

[spleisher]

Yeah, the airlines definitely do go woth certain kinds of planes. Many airlines actually go with multiple kinds of planes, tailored to the routes they will be flying.

As a trend though, airlines are starting to stick to one type of plane and fly more point to point routes, basically attempting to copy Southwest's business model. Southwest, of course, flies NOTHING but 737's. Southwest was the originator of this model... see the following list of other airlines beginning to follow suit...

1. Jet Blue - Flies nothing but Airbuses

2. Delta's "Song" - all 757's

3. United's "Ted" - All airbuses

4. To a lesser degree, AirTran. Airtran does fly multiple kinds of aircraft, but they seem to be standardizing now on the 717, which is basically a newer version of the DC-9, and the 737-700.

5. ATA - ATA is standardizing on the 737 as well. They also fly older L-1011's that predominantly offer contracted ferry service for the Defense Department.

[Passenger Mark]

Well... I have recently flown both the B737 and the A319/320

The 319/320 seem a bit wider, but the ride of the 737 seems better. Both observations may just be my imagination.

If I have to choose one vs the other... I would go with the 737. It has more time under it's belt, and I am more familiar with it.

[spleisher]

Mark, when you say "better" are you talking construction, the way it flies? Just curious. The A319-320-321 are a bit bigger than the 73, so that part is definitely not your imagination.

[Passenger Mark]

Hmmm.. just a smoother ride, tighter... hard to explain.

Don't think it was the weather, as I took that into consideration.

Could have been the pilot as they obviously have alot to do with the ride.

Oh... I do remember this... Both ABs that I was on... one a 320 the other a 319 rattled alot. But again... that could have been confined to those two aircraft.

One other thing... (coming from a pilot view) I just like the yoke better than the joystick. I am VERY sure the joystick is just as safe, and AB does it for the "clean" cockpit. But I just like the yoke.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Never flown on an Airbus but I love certain Boeings more than others. 777 and 763s are my fave by far!

Doug's brother flies the Airbus and loves it.

:)
Kelley

[Jeff California]

I prefer whichever is cheapest. I loved the 767 we flew to Hawaii. sooo big!! I want to fly a 777 or an equivelant..

[LesliePHX]

I prefer the Airbus to the 737, and good thing too, since the A-320 is pretty much the only plane United flies out of Phoenix nowadays (I think they might have one daily non-Ted flight from Sky Harbor, but no more than one).

Airbus is noisier -- that crazy barking-dog sound the hydraulics system sometimes makes during taxi comes to mind -- but it's sleeker and prettier, and it feels roomier, more modern. Plus, when other passengers hear the barking-dog sound and mutter nervously, "That doesn't sound good," you can smile knowingly.

Les

[spleisher]

Les, you're right about the sounds. There are different electrical and hydraulic motors that spin in the airbus.. sorta sounds like a big zipper. I know what you're talking about. And they ARE roomier.. that's not your imagination. Next time you are at an airport where you can see a 737 next to a A319/320, just compare the two. There is a noticable size difference that can be seen from the outside as well...

Scott

[JohnRobinson]

I've found that as far as passenger comfort goes, Airbus has Boeing on that one-but that's just me. I flew back IAH-MCO on a Continetal B757 in First class (nice of them) about three weeks ago, and it didn't matter-first class is first class. But if you really want to open a can of worms, ask a group of pilots what they prefer flying.

...And then stand back, pop up some popcorn, and enjoy the show.:D

Me? I would much prefer flying a Boeing. Seattle's much prettier than Toluise.

[LesliePHX]

John, yeah, the philosophical differences between professional pilots who prefer Boeing and those who prefer Airbus got an airing on the other board a couple of years ago. As I understand it, the "old-school" pilots are (or were initially) resistant to the idea of fly-by-wire.

Nobody got terribly extreme about it either way, and it was an interesting discussion, but the criticism of the Airbus concerned me enough that on my next A320 flight, I asked the captain about it:

Me: "This is a good plane?"
Him: "The best."
Me: "Because I've heard some people criticize it."
Him: "Those people have never flown it."

That was good enough for me! :)

Leslie

[spleisher]

John, you are SO RIGHT. I don't think there is a pilot in the world who has not participated in that particular "hangar talk" topic. Watch it though, it can get heated. Kinda like putting a couple of die hard sports fans from arch-rival teams and giving them a bunch of booze and asking them to argue it out.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

You got that right, Scott! Good analogy. Same thing goes with asking pilots to talk about other airlines. NOT a good idea!

Kelley

[mkahanek]

There really is no safety difference. You will be ok on both. The Airbus 320 series is accident free in the US as is the 3rd generation 737's.

Some airlines elect to reduce their fleets to just a few types due to cost of training and also maintenance. for instance. Continental's goal is 4 types. 737, 757, 767 and 777. They are an all boeing fleet (or will be at the end of Jan when all of their MD-80's are retired).

Some airlines prefer the airbus due to flight deck commonality. It is less costly for a pilot to train going from say an airbus 320 to an airbus 330.

However from a safety standpoint both airplanes are just fine. In fact I feel perfectly safe flying on a Northwest DC-9. Old train, but still excellent safety record.

this will be me Wednesday. Once again.
:security

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Where ya headed on Wednesday, Mark?

:)
Kelley

[mkahanek]

My home away from home. Nashville haha.

It is a quick little 1.5 hour hop.

[WillFlyToDisney2]

NO WAY! When???? I was supposed to fly to Nashville today but a vomiting 6 year old :barf delayed my flight until later tonite or tomorrow.

The band I work for has shows Wed, Thurs, Fri and Sat at the Wildhorse. Come on out! I'll PM you my cell number if you want to come out - I'll put you on the comp list.

I leave Nashville on Sunday for NYC.

Kelley