www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have flown Boeing for about 5 years now, not by choice, flight times, and price. If who ever I fly on put me on AirBus I would still go.

As far as Airliners the best ride is on a plane that has just been redone, or has just joined the fleet as new.

Going to show my age Eastern L-1011 nice plane

Nature Air or any Twin Otter

I have also flown in a Goose sea plane... I am gonna die factor on take off 7ish

Mostly it is the airlines that will give you the best or worst experience, not really the airplane itself. The airlines configure them the way that they want -- initially they just buy an empty shell.

However, most craft configured for intercontinental travel will have better seating, meals, etc.

If you're just picking the actual airplane, the Boeing 757 is the way to go. Way overpowered, it will get in and out of more difficult airports much better than other airliners of similar capacity. It's a real sports car. The later Boeing 737's are getting close to the same capacity, but do it with far less power. That extra power in the 757 is not only a nice rush on takeoff, but potentially can get you in and out of some precarious situations much more easily.

Unfortunately, some airlines pack those seats in because the 757 can handle it.

I miss the old L-1011. The direct lift control system on that aircraft made approaches to landing much smoother.

Are you a pilot or just an aviation geek?

I'm too young to remember the L-1011 but I saw the ACI episode on the crash in the Florida everglades in the 70's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPv36Y6GIPE

Yes, and Ernest Borgnine was the flight engineer on the doomed Flight 401. Glad to see I am not the only ACI junkie... LOL

ACI got me into aviation. And it teaches me what NOT do when flying, some of the shit pilots do is downright scary.

[quote="Orange"] [quote="twentyone"] I miss the old L-1011. The direct lift control system on that aircraft made approaches to landing much smoother. [/quote]
Are you a pilot or just an aviation geek? [/quote]

Yes!

Too bad that this aircraft (L-1011) is gone. Really built for the the comfort of the passengers and the needs of the pilots. Technology has improved aircraft since it was designed, but it was definitely ahead of its time.

Just to reiterate, perception of the "best aircraft to fly in" is mostly based upon the experience given by the airline and the individuals operating the aircraft, not really the aircraft itself. However, the "whirr, whirr" or "bark, bark" sound of the Airbus hydraulic systems (insert long complicated reason why this happens, and is perfectly normal and safe) still makes me feel uneasy. Pilots should announce on the PA (my opinion) that this is normal with a brief explanation.

Yes to which?

Give me a DC-3 any day of the week. Tail draggers can't be beat.
Love the noise and the bouncing around.
Now there is flying. Especially when you drop 500 feet or more and feel the seat belt tighten around your waist as your lunch comes up.

_________________
Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

Very cool thread
Good opinions
Like patriots post ... Did many miles on SAHSA On DC-3s and C-46s
Flew a DC3 from LIM to EWR alone when I was 6.
Stopped in Guayaquil, Cali, PTY, MIA and others
Those planes weren't pressurized so after gaining altitude you fell into a sweet slumber ...

We have a Piper Cub J3, WWII era in the family. Take low and slow with the door down anytime the weather permits. Hand crank the prop to start and a stick between your legs.

Today's LaNacion on the CR police transport airplane. Would not be my favorite under those circumstances, for sure not this one. Nice photo for the aviation buffs of an apparently very popular craft.

http://www.nacion.com/sucesos/seguridad ... 64236.html

I know this thread is entitled about your favorite airplane to fly in but I would like to throw in a candidate for IMO the sexiest most beautiful bird of them all, the Lockheed L1049 Super G Constellation. Watching it in flight from it's sleek fuselage to it's unique triple tail it was unlike any other commercial airliner.

As far a the most comfortable to fly as a passenger hard to beat the old Douglas DC-10. Have to admit I am partial to Douglas aircraft.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Thank you for the intro to Air Crash Investigation. Watching the YouTube channel. Very interesting and well done.

_________________
RideAllTheRides

It's amazing what you can learn what NOT to do, from these "professional" pilots, making some of the most basic mistakes (stalling a plane, miscalculating weight/balance or fuel quantity, not knowing how to read the instruments, operate the plane functions, etc).

I just remembered flying in a Lockheed constellation (Panagra) when I was a K*D. If you don't know the plane, it's the one Tom Hagen flies to Los Angeles at the behest of Don Corleone to go see Jack Woltz (the godfather). First class was u-shaped and in the back of the plane.