I do not fly much but I love to when I get the chance. If I could afford it I would a buy my own plane and learn to fly. But to my point, I have a great opportunity to fly to Washington DC next month for a training class at the Holocuast Muesuem. I have received a scholarship to go and they give me an allowance for airfare motel, per diem etc. I make my own arrangements.

Since there are so many airlines out there and its at least a 4 hour trip. I want to be comfy since I do not fly that much I want to get the most out of it I can. I am kind of excited because I plan on staying a few extra days and visiting the Wall, WWII memorial, Arlington Cemetary etc. I have never been before.

I know planes a very safe method to travel and all that and I am not perinoid. I just want some opinions on what type aircraft I should choose. Pricing is about the same for all of them so thats not an issue. I would pay more to be more comfortable but first class is a bit to much to spend. Any opinions

American flys MD-80's
US Air 737's and 757's
Northwest A320 and A310's
Continental 737
and on an on.

I planes above are the only ones offered on the flights I need to get there back. I flew in a 777 once and loved how much leg room there was.

What aircraft type would you prefer to ride in. Not fly, ride in.

Thank you I figured since there are so many choices I would get your opinion. I am not to picky on service as long as there is some. I am not a picky person on flight attendants as long as they do what they should.

Thanks in advance for any input.

I am not an expert on airplains, but ANYTHING Boeing would be my pick, if I had a choice.

Think: "If it ain't Boeing, I ain't going".

My recommendation is to avoid, as in don't board, the MD-80. It is designed with the idea that a computer-game chip can replace the pilot. Don't go there.

RG

Pull up the seating chart for each of the planes on the airlines web site.
Even the crummy old MD-80 cattle car has a few good seats.
4 hrs is not that long if you have an exit row seat with extra leg room. The front bulk head rows have extra leg room too. Another option is take an odd departure flight that may not fill up.
I don't know if half full flights exist anymore.
If they do you might get an entire row of seats to yourself- or at least an empty center seat next to you. It is my impression that all US domestic lights have the seat pitch set too close for anyone over 5'10". So long legs need exit row aisles. Be careful though. The front exit row aisle seats often do not have reclining seat backs.

You would not be impressed with a 777 with the seat pitch set for Asians after 14 hours.

Thanks for the info. I am pretty sure I will book with US Air both ways it is a 757. I really don't care what time I fly and I noticed early am flights don't much exist anymore. I remember getting on a plane at 4am and the plane being about 1/2 full. The earliest I can find for the dates I want 8am.

I am 6'2" so I am use to not having leg room anywhere I go.

The 777 I flew in was from PHX to Vegas. Not sure why they had huge plane going on that path but it was only 1/4 full. Maybe it was a connect to Hawaii or something. But that had the most leg room in any plane I have been in. It was very comfy all 50 minutes of it,

Earl,

Ask the Travel Agent for a Bulkhead seat.

I booked my flights and could not afford the direct so went with connecting flights. All 737's except one 757 on the way home. Could not get great seats but seat guru helped and I go some mediocre seat.

Thanks to those who responded.

Exit row!

The problem with some exit row seats is the first row seats in a double exit row configuration don't recline.

I always prefer an aisle seat on a bulkhead row, which are scarce as hen's teeth, and I prefer Boeing. Just crossed the pond both ways on an A 330-300. The damned seats ahead of mine had a bulkhead from the floor to the seat bottom that prevented me from stretching out, and I'm 5'10". I don't know what clown designed that, but he obviously didn't have to spend eight hours in that seat. Dumb.
That's Northworst for you.

I rode a 777 from Arusha to Dar to AMS and it wasn't too bad, although the pitch was a bit short. At least I could stretch my legs.

As previously mentioned, I avoid Airbuses if at all possible. This time it wasn't possible.