While electric airplanes seem to be making gains recently, AirVenture 2009—yes—12 years ago, was actually the first year of the electric airplane. If we were to believe our eyes then, great things were coming soon. Except they weren’t. That was the year the Chinese company Yuneec International showed up with what looked like a well sorted out two-place electric. But nope; no legs on that project. We haven’t seen it since.
Totally agree. On any flight where there are multiple options, I select based on the aircraft type. Prefer the A320 series over the B737 for the wider seats and cabin. Like the B787 for long haul despite the slightly narrower seat in economy for the same reasons Russ mentioned. The B777 is just about bearable. Much prefer the A330. Go out of my way to avoid the B757/767 aircraft. Most are old and dingy now. LOVE regional aircraft (CRJ/EMB/DHC/ATR). Haven’t had the pleasure of the A350 yet.
For a while now, I’ve been picking my flights based on aircraft type and my historic success of aircraft dispatch reliability. This generally means I fly Southwest on the B737 and avoid the A319/320/321. I haven’t had a need for long-haul flights, so I don’t have experience with any of the other types, with the exception of the B757/767. They are aged aircraft, but I don’t have any particular problem flying on them.
I airline a lot due to my job flying managed and charter jets. Airlining is the worst part of the job, even worse than having to remove and install the honey pot for the lav.
When I am paying for the fare then I get picky on what airplane I fly by on and what hub to fly through. All CRJ’s and the Dash 400 are the worst. The B737-900’s are the worst mainline for passenger comfort. Suprisingly enough the B737-800’s Southwest operates are not to bad for comfort and legroom. Spirit’s Airbus’s are awful and I will never pay my money to fly with them. Never been on a wide body so I can’t comment on them. Again when I am paying for the flight I avoid all the New York airports for connections, along with O’hare in Chicago. I also will not connect through DCA either as long as the silly TSA restrictions for GA flights are in effect. My company has received TSA authorization to fly into DCA and I avoid those flights when bidding for days off. Needless to say I airline very little on my own dime. So yes I do check all of those items as a consumer.
Think you are conflating a few years together. Garmin purchased UPS Aviation Technologies in 2003. OMF showcased it’s Symphony at a similar time. The D-Jet was launched around then too or maybe a year earlier.
Yes, eclipse finally succumbed in 2009. Cirrus flew the Vision Jet to OSH in 2008.