Scouse Express

For those interested in what they travel on across the Pond, I came across this article on Fleet Movements, between a couple of the "Legacy" Airlines;

http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/jsp_i...s/DAL10176.xml


Jim.

SultanOfSwing

Better to see them move to another airline than get scrapped.

As much as I love the 757 though, it's not the most comfortable plane for a transatlantic flight, or at least the one I flew with Continental wasn't anyway!

materialcontroller

Any narrowbody aircraft is only just about suitable for a journey of 5 hours or under. Longer flights should be B767 or A310 minimum.

SultanOfSwing

High efficiency engines and seat/cost per mile have pushed some of the shorter transatlantics to the 757s, it would seem. BA actually operate an A318 out of LCY to JFK (albeit with an en route stop in Shannon, and all business class of course).

materialcontroller

Indeed. That A318 LCY route is actually non-stop on the eastbound leg.

Having endured 5h20m numerous times in an A320 or B737 LGW-LCA, I've sworn never to fly transatlantic on a narrowbody. Unless I can sit up front. Probably next to lansbury.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...84#post9798684

SultanOfSwing

I suppose it depends on the airline as well. That 7hr CO flight BFS-EWR was not the most pleasant, but their IFE was crappy little TVs every 4 seats, not the best.

Did a 4 and a bit hour flight from Toronto - Calgary/Winnipeg - Toronto on Air Canada's A320 and ERJ-190, both of which had IFE on every seat, with loads of choices, and a decent (albeit not free) menu. Those flights were quite enjoyable ...

materialcontroller

Must've been a while back then (or a substitute bird). COs B757-200s have had the full IFE treatment for some time now (although it's not as extensive as the library on the B777 system).

Pound for pound (dollar for dollar?), Air Canada is one of the best carriers around.

SultanOfSwing

It was 2005 - they'd only been doing the Aldergrove run for about four months.

I'm with you on Air Canada though, they're the best carrier I've flown with thus far. Though the BA 777 was the most comfortable.

Scouse Express

I came across this interesting page, the other day, through a link posted elsewhere on BE. Well worth looking at;

http://www.flightradar24.com/

Click on a plane and it will tell you what type, where it is coming from and where it going to, along with who owns it.


Jim.

SultanOfSwing

Very cool!

I use FlightAware quite often too, to get real world routes for Flight Simulator. That one is handy as I can track flights on my mobile when I'm picking people up from the airport

Scouse Express

Only works for planes equipped with certain Transponders. Interesting to see routes the planes fly, though.


Jim.

materialcontroller

I enjoy looking at that site quite a bit. Among the other essential sites for plane geeks are:

http://flightaware.com/

http://www.airliners.net/

http://www.flightmemory.com/

SultanOfSwing

You forgot http://www.flightlevel350.com! Their videos are easily found on the you tube as well though. Some great stuff filmed by Simon Lowe at EGCC

Scouse Express

And.......

http://jetphotos.net/


Jim.

materialcontroller

Good call.

I've also got to mention the old stalwart http://www.skyscanner.net/, which I still find to be about the best place for comparing bog standard air fares (as opposed to reward travel).