Do Aircraft Type help you choose ?

When making your booking, Does the type of aircraft on offer help you to choose who you book with. This has been a large topic of conversation in my local pub. B) We all love VA but Most would prefere a 747 from Man/MCO for an early flight and 330 for the afternoon flight. So its either 777BA from Gatwick ot 330 VA, from either Man or Gatwick, at the moment. Are VA loosing out by not running the 747 in a morning slot. I am using this MCO run as a guide on offer.

[Neil]

Personally the a/c type will not be a deciding factor in my choice, especially as with all airlines they change on a regular basis. Flight times, airport, cost, class of travel are allmuch more important to me.

For example, we much prefer the afternoon flight from MAN to MCO but the earlier flight home. Right now it works well for us on the outbound as I prefer the 747, but means an A333 on the return. However, I would much rather arrive back at MAN as early as possible meaning we aren't arriving back at home later in the day, the earlier arrival home means we have near enough a full day to get sorted before returning to work.

So in answer to your question, no I don't think VS are losing out because they run the A333 on the morning flight, and I think probably only a small % of pax actually know about different a/c types in any case.

Unless of course you want business class and the two class 333 rule out that aircraft.

I normally fly VS home to SA during the UK's winter. VS used to fly the 747 but now it's a A346. Because of that I'm either looking at BA (747) or even LH (A380). Can't even fly from CPT direct anymore as VS fly A343 on a 11 hour flight.

I choose to go between MCO from MAN on the later flight where Upper class is available to (hopefully) ensure that I'll be going on a 747, refurb or not. I don't mind whether it's morning or afternoon as long as it's the 747.

Katie

Personally the a/c type will not be a deciding factor in my choice, especially as with all airlines they change on a regular basis. Flight times, airport, cost, class of travel are allmuch more important to me.

Ditto

I choose the flights that suit me best in terms of getting to LHR (and time in the lounge) and arrival time at my destination.

Of course with some VS destinations any choice is moot as there is only 1 flight a day but to multi flight destinations like NYC and MCO it does make a difference.

Of course I also factor in other airlines and their offerings as well as the prices of the flights.

However my requirements will differ from other people - and especially if they have young children where factors like bed time need to be considered.

Maybe this is why VS run the 747 MAN to MCO in the afternoon flight because it suits families better?

I will take into account the aircraft type to avoid a 343 but rarely have the flexibility in my plans to make a choice

As we usually travel as a family of four with the kids or just the two of us, I like to travel on the aircraft with two seats next to the window .So like to travel on the Airbus or the B767.
Other option is to get the seats on the 747 at the rear where it narrows down to two seats instead of 3.

Not really, far more important is the price. The only aircraft I've ever gone out of my way to avoid is the SAA A342.

It's a moot point on most routes, but for JFK, I'll always take the 744 if my schedule allows. I actually think it's a shame that it's not an option for HKG as the 346 has a dormitory feel about it in UC as has been mentioned before.

I am another who will look at the flight departure and arrival times first. the price with a preference towards VS but if anyone else is a lot cheaper i will fly with them and then if i still have an option i will go for an airbus over a Boeing or embraer but that will only be for destinations like NYC where i will go for a A346 or A333 over the 747.

that said i do tend to avoid the dash 8 and other twin props wherever possible. (i find they make a lot of noise and feel like flying in a washing machine on a spin cycle)

Yes. And when it changes it is very annoying. And before the apologists step in, it happens to all airlines and is in the small print, know all that, but it is still annoying.