As avgeeks we all have our favorite airplanes. Generally our preference has nothing to do with logic. Sometimes it has to do with nostalgia. Other times it has to do with how an airplane looks. Other times it's how an airplane is unique in some way, or how it is just, plain cool. But that preference doesn't always translate into passenger experience. I really love the DC9 series, but my last experience on an MD80 was one of the most uncomfortable flights I remember ever taking. Their constant maintenance issues also don't seem particularly appealing.

Fortunately for me, I don't just love my favorite airplane as an avgeek, but I also would happily go out of my way to fly it as a passenger in any class of service: A well maintained 747. I could go on and on about its grace and power that makes me love her as an avgeek, but as a passenger that gorgeous shape also translates into a nicer experience: In the main cabin, the aircraft has a high ceiling and a very wide cabin. I'm someone who gets somewhat claustrophobic, and as such I really appreciate the cavernous cabin. It feels more like a building than a metal tube. In the nose, you almost feel like you are in your own private cabin onboard the aircraft. This is even more pronounced on the upper deck, where the cabin is so cozy you feel like you are on your own private jet. You get extra storage space, and you still don't feel claustrophobic.

Love the 747 as a concept.

But the reality on recent economy flights (BA & Lufthansa) was awful. Cramped. Hot.

As an economy passenger, give me a 767 any day.

My favorite plane is Boeing 737. Big enough plus some nostalgy.

I have my favorites, but honestly once inside flying economy there's not really a ton of difference. I'm not a fan of the DC 9 series, and back in the 80's I flew on the actual DC 9... I preferred the 737, back when it was considered and used more as a regional carrier. Not the transcontinental versions of today. Still, I did prefer the 727 over all small or medium planes. I miss that plane. Overall like most, my all time favorite is the 747. But, flying in either a DC 10 or a 777 the inside in economy isn't a great difference. I guess if I miss anything its each plane was distinctive. Now they are all getting so similar. Its mostly just size difference now.

DC9 series, also a 767.

The 747 is a visual beauty and a great ride. Even though I had a BA 744 with the very old interior recently I thoroughly enjoyed the flight.
Another contender would be the Avro aka Jumbolino which I could only enjoy once but it was a memorable pleasant experience.

Hmmm good question. There have been a few and one that I've yet to snag just yet so won't include the B744 or B748i in the list, but it could happen this coming summer if the stars line up correctly for a LH flight.

In no specific order:

B762
B772
B722/1
MD80 series any of them
And of course B788/9 and soon to fly on -10

For me it's E-Jets series - 2-2 seatings (aka no middle seat), wide cabin (Especially compared to CRJs), and good ride comfort.

Otherwise, JL's 788/789, just b/c they still use 2-4-2 seatings.

My favorite narrow body is the Embraer E-Jet family (170-195). 2-2 economy seating and a mainline cabin feel. I love the 1 seat side in business on these planes.

My favorite wide body:
In economy, the Boeing 767. 2-3-2 seating has fewest middle seats of any wide body.
In premium economy and business, the Boeing 787. Quieter ride, better cabin pressure, and I like the electronic window shades.

Ford tri-motor.

I'd go for the 787. Very comfortable plane, even in economy.

It depends...in beauty, nothing can be compared with the beautiful 727...but...
In configuration for a widebody, I love the 2-3-2 of the 767
And in pax. comfort, best experience had in an 787

As a passenger in economy, for narrowbodies, I love flying on the MD-80/90/717 series for the 2-3 seating. Of course opportunities to fly on those are quickly diminishing.

For widebodies, the 767, for pretty much the same reason. While I think they're one of the most bland planes to look at, I love the 2-3-2 seating.

Totally agree about the 747. It's the most beautiful plane ever and I'm sad it's on the way out but as a passenger they are actually quite dated. BA's are almost falling apart on the inside.

The 787 and A350 are beautiful planes. Big windows, high ceilings, large overhead bins, nice mood lighting.

The 777 is just too densely packed in Y.

That being said, as a window passenger I do prefer having only 2 seats on the side (like the A330 or 767).

From what I've heard, (anecdotally), the A350 is the most pleasant plane currently flying, not sure if others agree.

Always loved the DC-10 which I flew countless times between ORD and the west coast on UA. If I was flying Y I'd always select a "B" seat (aisle on the outside). Our company was a large UA Cargo customer and for several years when I was a manager, I got a lot of upgrades to F and I really liked the DC-10's F section on UA. After moving to SEA flew the DC-10 to/from Hawaii on both NW and HA. I have lot of fond memories of my trips aboard DC-10's.
Lately I have only done short hops - I really like the E175 (as a couple others have mentioned the E series above).
Having said all those nice things about the DC-10, I will have to say the few times I was able to ride F on a 747 were the absolute best flights I've ever had - but those occasions were few and far between.

ER757 wrote:

Always loved the DC-10 which I flew countless times between ORD and the west coast on UA. If I was flying Y I'd always select a "B" seat (aisle on the outside). Our company was a large UA Cargo customer and for several years when I was a manager, I got a lot of upgrades to F and I really liked the DC-10's F section on UA. After moving to SEA flew the DC-10 to/from Hawaii on both NW and HA. I have lot of fond memories of my trips aboard DC-10's.
Lately I have only done short hops - I really like the E175 (as a couple others have mentioned the E series above).
Having said all those nice things about the DC-10, I will have to say the few times I was able to ride F on a 747 were the absolute best flights I've ever had - but those occasions were few and far between.

But didn't DC-10's have a 2-5-2 economy configuration?

A double middle seat! Now that's brave.

alan3 wrote:

ER757 wrote:

Always loved the DC-10 which I flew countless times between ORD and the west coast on UA. If I was flying Y I'd always select a "B" seat (aisle on the outside). Our company was a large UA Cargo customer and for several years when I was a manager, I got a lot of upgrades to F and I really liked the DC-10's F section on UA. After moving to SEA flew the DC-10 to/from Hawaii on both NW and HA. I have lot of fond memories of my trips aboard DC-10's.
Lately I have only done short hops - I really like the E175 (as a couple others have mentioned the E series above).
Having said all those nice things about the DC-10, I will have to say the few times I was able to ride F on a 747 were the absolute best flights I've ever had - but those occasions were few and far between.

But didn't DC-10's have a 2-5-2 economy configuration?

A double middle seat! Now that's brave.

Yes they did - I pity the poor soul in the middle seat in the middle section - that's why I always got an assigned aisle seat as soon as the seat selections was available

757 First Class cabin

A350 Economy Class, A nice window seat while cruisin over the Pacific while enjoying the huge window and moist air.

zakuivcustom wrote:

For me it's E-Jets series - 2-2 seatings (aka no middle seat), wide cabin (Especially compared to CRJs), and good ride comfort.

Otherwise, JL's 788/789, just b/c they still use 2-4-2 seatings.

I haven't had the chance to fly a 787 but 2-4-2 787 sounds like heaven

Yflyer wrote:

As a passenger in economy, for narrowbodies, I love flying on the MD-80/90/717 series for the 2-3 seating. Of course opportunities to fly on those are quickly diminishing.

There's always C-Series (Ok...A220) for 2-3 seating, and those will be around for awhile. Well, there's always ARJ21 in China also.

But yeah, the Mad Dog if you seat enough to the front is very nice - you can barely hear the engine (Now...if you seat next to the engine in the back, that's another story).

As for some gripe - my "gripe" against 777 (especially 77W) would be the fairly loud GE90-115B. Some people do enjoy hearing the engine rev up (for step climb) in the middle of a TPAC flight, though, so to each their own.

Id have to say the passenger comfort technologies in the 787 make it top for me, but nothing beats the sound of the GEs on the 777s.

A380
.
.
A340-600
747

As a pax? The 767 followed by the A340 and A330 or any jetliner with 2 seats along the side in Y. I love the rows in the 747 down the back, or in various sections of the 777, that have just 2 seats per side row instead of 3. Then there are the old 2-5-2 configured 777s. Just give me 2 seats with a window / aisle combo and I'm won over. But, I'd pick a 767 followed by an A340 to fly on if I had the choice.

Jesse

As a passenger from the outside
-> B747-400/-8
As a passenger sitting inside
-> Economy - A330-200/300 or B767 (But not too many flying around, especially in Europe)
-> Business - upper deck B747-400/8 or B787-8/9
-> First - A380

MD-80 MD-80 MD-80 MD-80!!!!!

I absolutely love flying and for me the major difference is between a widebody and a narrow body. Nothing to do with comfort or size but getting on a widebody always has a greater sense of adventure.

I absolutely dread the 787 in economy, I'm a small person but it seems much nicer to go by A330 in 8 abreast than 787 in 9, even with the bigger window. In fact for economy I will choose AA A330 if I can. I thought I'd try the A330 with EI recently (DUB-YYZ) and found that its much nicer on AA.

Never tried the A380 in economy (most A380 flights are long enough that work put me in business).

Mostly I prefer variety and will try to work trips so I fly on new (to me) types, I'm still missing A340 and A350 series, I've done all other major types flying (I think).

Fred

Boeing 767, that 2-3-2 layout feels so spacious.

787 because of the little red and green light above the toilet doors indicating when one is available! I wish they retrofit this onto other aircraft.

And I find the Max and NEO to be very boring for a new aircraft. I've flown several NEO flights and one Max flight...from a passenger perspective, I did not observe any noticeable difference from the CEO and NG.

I've only flown the type twice (both in the last few years), but I'm becoming very partial to the E175. The 2-2 configuration is terrific, the legroom (at least on AS) is adequate for a tall dude like myself and the cabin has just the right amount of noise (not loud, but not quiet enough to overhear the conversations of others).

For planes I've flown on more than twice, might have to go with the 767.

Likes:
9 abreast configured 777
Dislikes:
A350 configured with slimline seats while being used on redeyes.

The DC9 series, especially the MD88 and the 717. I also really love the 757.

The E-jets have been 50/50. My first couple of flights on them were terrible, but the last few were some of the best flights I've ever taken.

I can't comment on widebodies as I've only ever flown on two, and none in the last 15 years.

I will be weird and say I personally love the A321 but around 32 seat pitch. 77W 9 abreast is nice too. Still need to try the B747, B787, A350, A330, A340 also the A380.

The correct passenger jet is the BAe 146.

You get to look out the window and see all the underwing apparatus that moves the flaps, etc...

Favorite would be the 767. Turns out 2-3-2 is the best way to fly, followed by 2-4-2 and 3-3-3. Worst for me is the Q300, I feel very cramped (am 6') and it can get very warm inside.

Tu134!

Comfortable seats, nice big windows and an unbeatable 2x2 seating in Y
And a nice sound too. God, I miss those old Tu's

But also DC9/MD80s.
Always a great ride if you can aviod the last 3 rows.

747, md11

Hmm, this is hard to answer because the airlines have more control over how comfortable your seat is, but Id say short-haul, the E-jets, for the reason that others say, 2x2 and big windows. Can't wait to fly the Maplebus. Long-haul, I rather like the A-330 window seat near that huge wing. plus the 787 for the windows. Haven't flown on an A-350 yet.

A380 never tire of flying it, love the take off and quiet effortless ride
A350 quiet smooth and nice cabin conditions
B747 noisy (by comparison to more modern designs) but what is there not to like...enjoy it while you can

Absolutely will cast my vote for the A380. First/Business is insane no matter the carrier, Premium Econ on AirFrance in the upper deck is a dream, and even if your just coach, grab those DUO seats in the back of the upper deck and you have huge amounts of room, and its only 2 seats. Wine tasting in the Galley during the flight, walk the decks to stretch your legs, there is nothing like it.

I miss the 747, always such a smooth ride. 757 was favorite domestic and I still fly it a lot but they are aging and I can tell as I fly them 2 times a month lately. I love the A321, just getting used to how it rides the air, especially on climbout, sort of a hearts in your throat feeling. Its very touchy, but over time , that's becoming something I enjoy and expect.

I have not flown the A220 yet but I have a feeling that will be a new favorite as well.

Best:
9-Abreast 777
A380
A330
Worst:
A350 with slimline seats

Mine is probably illogical, I really like the BAe-146 or Boeimg 717. But I fly QantasLink a lot so probably Stockholm syndrome.

A380 was a disappointment to me, as I (upper deck, Lufthansa, business class) found it very loud and quite difficult to sleep compared to the 747-8 (also upper deck, Lufthansa, business class) which I thought was a superb ride.

Also ERJ135/145 where there is a 2-1 config.