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Fleet Analysis: Transatlantic Airbus A321 operations
The A321 is becoming the dominant narrowbody aircraft across the Atlantic. According to the latest OAG data, it has approximately 7,238 non-stop departures from Europe to North and South America this summer, running between Mar. 27 and Oct. 29. There are an average of 34 daily outbound flights, double for both directions. (www.airguide.info) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
there will be city-pairs served that don't support a larger widebody-787,777 etc, and airbus is justifiably proud of that. Medium to small cities on each side of the atlantic will be getting service, as more folks feel secure in travel. I was around when the 767 first started going transatlantic, then more and more trips were made, then it became the most prevelent flier of its time. Pay attention to the advertising about this, and nothing is mentioned about the high level of comfort afforded to the 5, 6 or 7 hour flight, because there is very little of that.
3 hours and under I will sit anywhere in any class.
More than 3 hours I will pay the premium to sit upfront but I want plenty of upfront to sit in.
I will continue to choose my seat based on the aircraft type operated and the quality of the carrier.
If the masses want to fly to secondary cities and want to do it the least expensive way possible they are welcome to the a321.
More than 3 hours I will pay the premium to sit upfront but I want plenty of upfront to sit in.
I will continue to choose my seat based on the aircraft type operated and the quality of the carrier.
If the masses want to fly to secondary cities and want to do it the least expensive way possible they are welcome to the a321.
Luckily I live in the SF bay area so my 10 hour plus flight to Germany will never be on an A321.
However I did take an 11 hour flight multiple times from LAX to Europe on a Capitol airlines DC-8 so I can appreciate flying on a wide body jet.
However I did take an 11 hour flight multiple times from LAX to Europe on a Capitol airlines DC-8 so I can appreciate flying on a wide body jet.
There are already plenty of US domestic flights handled by A321s that are upwards of 5 or 6 hours, like JFK to LAX or LAX to Kahului, HI.
Sitting that long in a narrowbody isn't unique to transatlantic flights and the flying public is pretty much used to it.
Sitting that long in a narrowbody isn't unique to transatlantic flights and the flying public is pretty much used to it.
they may be used to it. They don't necssarily like it if they ever flew on 747, 777, MD-11, A330, A340-600. etc. They are used to it, says you???
What makes those aircraft more comfortable during a 5+ hour flight? Are the seats wider? Do they offer more legroom? Those are largely configuration choices by the airline.
Really, the only benefit of a widebody are possibly easier access to lavatories due to having two aisles and more lavatories. The ability to get up and stretch your legs by walking around a bit exists on all aircraft.
On the downside, boarding and deplaning a larger aircraft will take longer even if there are more aisles because you have more people using one jetway. Some aircraft will have more than one jetway but reserve the one in front for First Class and Business Class. Even the A380 which uses separate jetways for the two decks uses one jetway for Economy.
Really, the only benefit of a widebody are possibly easier access to lavatories due to having two aisles and more lavatories. The ability to get up and stretch your legs by walking around a bit exists on all aircraft.
On the downside, boarding and deplaning a larger aircraft will take longer even if there are more aisles because you have more people using one jetway. Some aircraft will have more than one jetway but reserve the one in front for First Class and Business Class. Even the A380 which uses separate jetways for the two decks uses one jetway for Economy.
not this again. IT all depends how the seating is setup. It's fine for transatlantic. 6 or 7 hours who cares. IT's a BUS, not a RESORT.