How many different plane types have you flown on?

The Flight Detective
a large white airplane on a runway

There are several aircraft manufacturers around the world and most offer various different plane types for airlines to buy. The reason for this is that some are built for long flights, others for short flights and so on. This allows airlines to match capacity with demand.

Frequent flyers are generally very familiar with the various types, as some offer a better experience than others. This is mainly down to how a particular airline arranges their cabin and everyone has their personal preference.

Different Plane Types

At University during a ‘get to know you’ type exercise, we were asked how many different plane types we had flown on. Being slightly older than some of the other students, I managed to win that particular question in the session. So just what have I been on?

For Airbus, I have been on the Airbus A300B4-203, A300-600, A310-300, A318, A319, A320-200, A320-200neo, A321, A330-200, A330-300, A340-200, A340-300, A350-900 and the Airbus A380. There are some missing, but I am not planning to chase them. When it comes to Boeing, the list is almost as comprehensive. Boeing 717-200, 727-200 Advanced, 737-300, 737-400, 737-500, 737-700, 737-800, 747-100, 747-300, 747-400, 747-400ER, 757-200, 767-200, 767-300, 777-200, 777-200LR, 777-300ER, 787-8 and 787-9. Phew! My first flight was on a Fokker F28-4000, I’ve flown in the Dash 8-100 and the Q400, a Cessna Caravan, Douglas DC-10-10 and DC-10-30, the MD-11, various MD-80s, the CRJ 200 and CRJ 900, plus the Embraer E145, E170, E175, E190 and E195, and finally the ATR42 and ATR72.

So Which One Was Best?

Some aviation fans tend to say that one aircraft is better than another, usually for some arbitrary reason. Personally, there are only a few planes that are notably different from others and that’s solely because technology is better.

When I first travelled on an Airbus A380, the quietness of the cabin stood out compared to other aircraft. This trend continued with the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350, which also have great sound proofing and quieter engines. That’s just technological progress really.

Cabin comfort wise, it depends completely on what seats the airline chooses, such as the Qatar Airways business class seat above. I personally have not noticed the difference between a 17″ seat width and a 17.5″ seat width, so conclusions that X aircraft is better because it is 5″ wider than the competition are meaningless to me.

Quite frankly, I have enjoyed almost all of my flights, so I couldn’t choose a favourite. Friendly cabin crew and a nice seat are important, moreso than the actual aircraft itself. Though, that being said, where possible I do try to fly on board something I have not experienced yet. That’s the aviation geek in me!

Overall Thoughts

While you may think I have been on quite a lot of different aircraft, my list does pale compared to certain other people who make it a mission to get on board everything they can. Even so, I think I’ve done alright. It does make me sad when I have missed flying on something as it is no longer in the air. I have always wanted to fly on a Vickers VC10 for example, but that will never happen now.

How many different plane types have you flown on? I’d be interested to hear that, along with any you particularly liked or disliked. Thank you for reading and please leave any comments or questions below.

To never miss a post, follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
All my flight and lounge reviews are indexed here so check them out!

Featured image by Josh Methven on Unsplash.
Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 via Cathay Pacific.
Qatar Boeing 777-200LR by Darren Koch via Wikimedia Commons.
United Douglas DC-10 by GeorgeM757 on Flickr.

Total
0
Shares
16 comments
  1. In my 80 years i have flown on over 100 types of aircraft. The best by a mile was the VC 10. The first was 1950 a DH Rapide from Prestwick I was hooked. Worst Airbus 380 cattle truck in the sky.followed by 777.even the stewardess on the 380 who I had a long conversation said a lot of the cabin crew did not like it. Best flight business class Heathrow to Melbourne Royal Brunei 7 star hotel in the sky.

    1. You have certainly managed a great deal of aircraft, which is just brilliant. Really happy to hear you liked the Vickers VC10 the most. I’ve heard nothing but excellent things about the passenger experience on that one. I wish I’d had the opportunity to fly on one myself. Royal Brunei is one of those quality airlines that fly under the radar – I’ve heard they’re very good. I aspire to have had as many flying experiences as you, so here’s hoping I make it! Thanks so much for the comment!

  2. 737- 700, 800, 900
    767- 200, 300ER
    Erj 175
    Erj 190
    Crj-700
    Cessna 208 caravan
    Cessna 172
    Hawker 700
    Hawker 800
    Challenger 604
    A319
    A320-200
    A321- 100, 200
    MD-82

    1. Very nice list there! I haven’t been on the 747-200 or the SP, nor the 737-200 or 900, so you have some experience there that I don’t have. Thanks for sharing that!

      1. The 747-200 and SP were amongst the first international trips we had taken back in 1989. We flew Pan Am. Sadly due to the idicoy of youth I did not save the boarding passes 🙁

        1. I have the same problem, my original airline ticket from my first flight has also been lost over time. Such a shame!

  3. Well, here goes nothing. Trying to keep it simple in regards to variants and I will undoubtedly miss something:

    A319
    A320
    707
    717
    720
    727
    737-200/300/700/800/900
    747-100/200
    757
    767-300
    DC-3
    DC-8-72
    DC-9-10/30/40/50
    MD-80/88/90
    L-1011-200
    EMB-120
    EMB-145
    CRJ-200/700/900
    FH-227B
    Trident
    Caravelle
    Vanguard

    That’s probably pretty comprehensive for scheduled airline flights. Flew in a few sightseeing helicopters and once in a small Cessna.

    1. You have the list I wish I had. Things like the Trident, Caravelle, Canguard, L-1011 and so on are things I wish I had done and didn’t manage to do. I have also flown on one helicopter (which is fun!) and two different other types for private flights. Really nice list there – thanks for sharing that!

  4. I’ve been super fortunate to fly a wide variety of types. I’ve flown:

    A300B4
    A318
    A319
    A320
    A321
    A330-300
    A340-300
    A340-500
    A340-600
    A350-900
    A380
    B707-320C
    B720
    B720B
    B727-100
    B727-200
    B737-200
    B737-300
    B737-400
    B737-500
    B737-600
    B737-700
    B737-800
    B737-900
    B737MAX8
    B747-100
    B747-200
    B747-300
    B747-400
    B757-200
    B757-300
    B767-200
    B767-300
    B767-400
    B777-200
    B777-300
    B787-8
    Bae 146-200
    Beechcraft 1900
    Cessna 208B Grand Caravan
    Cessna 340
    CRJ100
    CRJ200
    CRJ700
    CRJ900
    DC-10-10
    DC-10-30
    DC-10-40
    DC-2
    DC-3
    DC-8-61
    DC-9-31
    DC-9-50
    DHC Dash 7
    DHC Dash 8-100
    DHC Dash 8-200
    DHC Dash 8-300
    EMB 120 Brasilia
    ERJ145
    ERJ170
    ERJ190
    Fokker 100
    Fokker 70
    Fokker F.27
    Fokker F.28 4000
    Grumman Goose
    L-1011-1
    L-1011-100
    L-1011-500
    MD-81
    MD-82
    MD-83
    MD-88
    MD-90
    Short 330
    TU-134A
    TU-154M

    1. That is an awesome list there – you’ve been on some really classic aircraft. I’d have loved to have been on a Boeing 707, not to mention any L-1011! You also reminded me that I missed the Avro RJ as I’ve been on those with both Brussels Airlines and CityJet. Excellent list you have there – I mean, how many people have a Douglas DC-2 on their list! Thanks very much for the comment!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
a white boat on the water

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Boat Transfer Debacle

Next Post
Millau Viaduct with tall pillars

10 Engineering Marvels on My Bucket List

More Posts by: The Flight Detective