favourite aircraft to fly with
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Most travellers have a favourite airline or airport, even a favourite type of aircraft. As a frequent flyer, I’ve become a huge fan of Airbus planes. My favourite aircraft for much of the 1990’s and 00’s was the Airbus A340. I loved its sleek structure and its spacious cabin that’s incredibly quiet. The aircraft also feels very steady when there’s turbulence.

Cathay Pacific A340 at Schiphol Airport Amsterdam.

However, in 2015, the Airbus A350 entered service, and since my first flight with it in 2018, this aircraft has become my new favourite!

favourite aircraft to fly with
A British Airways A350 at Heathrow Airport. Check out those gorgeous wings/winglets and cool mask-like cockpit window!

There are many reasons why I love the A350. Aestheically, it’s gorgeous! From its magic carpet like winglets to its sleek fuselage and cockpit window that looks like the mask of a superhero, this plane is just a treat to look at. Its Boeing counterpart, the 787 Dreamliner, on the other hand, features a weird, drooping nose, a low-hanging fuselage and a tail that looks out of proportion to the length of the plane.

A KLM 787 Dreamliner
A Korean Air Boeing 787 Dreamliner. I’m not a fan of that drooping nose.

The interior of the A350 is another big reason why this is my favourite plane. Its wide, spacious cabin with beautiful mood lighting is a joy to enter! Even in Economy, that sense of space is unmistakable. In the air, nothing beats the quietness of the A350. I vividly remember being so surprised when I removed my noise-cancelling phones during the flight to discover that there was only a marginal difference. Resting on my favourite travel pillow, I could sleep very well without my headphones on (something I can never do on other aircraft).

The interior of the Delta A350 Premium Select cabin. I love the spacious feel of the A350 cabin.
air mauritius A350 business class interior
The Business Class seat in an Air Mauritius A350.
Air Mauritius A350 flying over Mauritius. I love the winglets!
A close-up of the A350 winglet (Singapore Airlines).

My other preferred planes to fly with include the Boeing 787 Dreamliner (in my book, it offers a similar flying experience but is a tad inferior to the A350 in terms of spaciousness; but I do love the big windows), Boeing 777-300 (steady, aesthetically beautiful plane), Airbus A380 (what’s there not to love about this big bird?) and Embraer 190 (quiet and comfortable narrowbody).

A KLM Embraer 190 at London City Airport.

Read about flying into London City Airport.

etihad-a380-photo
Getting up close to the A380.

Read about my visit to the Airbus factory in Hamburg.

Do you have a particular favourite? If yes, which aircraft is it and why?

6 Responses

  • Hi John,
    Thanks for your comment. I agree with you, the A380 is one of the most fuel-efficient and cleanest planes provided it transports the number of passengers it was built for. I had the ‘audacity’ (?) to suggest the A380 as a possibility for low-cost long-haul carriers (if that model works). See: A380: A White Elephant? https://velvetescape.com/blog/?p=518

  • I think those with the least production of carbon dioxide per passenger kilometer. Currently the Airbus A380 if set up more for Economy Class than Business.

  • You know, I really don’t mind which aircraft, providing it gets me to my destination on time, and its comfortable. The airlines make a big difference to passenger experience by providing a good customer service – something that we are seeing less of nowadays as they cut costs.

  • I certainly have a *least* favourite plane. Anything with engines at the back just looks wrong (and makes your ears bleed, as anyone who has hopped over to AMS at the wrong end of a Fokker will tell you).

    I love the Dash 8 – elegant, quick to load, bright and airy.

    Would be nice to get the chance to compare the A380 at some point.

  • I’d take the Boeing over Airbus. I’d agree Airbus is probably better for passengers than a Boeing. But as a pilot I’d like the controls that I can feel (Boeing), rather than a side stick/ joystick which gives no feedback (Airbus). Also, dangerous problems plagued the early Airbus 320s, where the computer would not allow the pilot what he wanted to do. There are many cases of this, but the most notable to me is the Airbus 320 crash at the Paris airshow.

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