Would you fly at a less convenient time to get a nicer plane?

[Mattg]

I flew this week with Air Canada from Montreal to Vancouver. I had a choice of various flights, with wide-body aircraft operating the early morning and evening flights, and Boeing 737s operating flights at times during the day that would have been more convenient for me.

I decided to book the early morning flight in order to fly on a Boeing 787-9, rather than a 737 MAX, and I'm not sure it was worth it. The plane was nicer, but I had to get up quite early and ended up being tired the whole day.

This is a dilemma I often come across. For example, when flying AKL-SYD, I could take QF4 at 6.45am to get a 787, or book a 737 that leaves later in the day (which is usually more convenient for me).

What would/do you do?

I've also created a poll for this thread - you can cast your vote above.

 

[Forg]

I have to say yes, but maybe for slightly different reasons than those who’re in the air all the time and know that pretty soon they’ll have sampled all the aircraft operated locally to their airport-of-origin … but as an example, I had us on Jetstar SYD-MEL-HBA and return instead of the quicker & less-waity SYD-HBA, because the SYD-MEL part was on JQ’s shiny new Dreamliner and I wanted to try shiny new Dreamliner.

To answer the question in the context it’s asked though, I think the answer is that I’d choose the better aircraft up to a point. For example I think I’d choose an A330 over A350 to Singapore with my wife if the 330 was outfitted with just the two seats between window & aisle, if both were night flights and the 330 was at a more annoying time; but maybe not if the 330 were overnight & the 350 were a daytime flight.

 

[Tiki]

I don't look at aircraft type. I look at price whether cash or points but no more Y flights overnight so time is an issue too.

 

[AuSammy]

Need a fourth option - Depends (not the US nappy)

Golden triangle -price / schedule

ULH - price / plane / schedule

 

[serfty]

Generally cheapest, but that can vary.

I've paid more for various reasons. A non exhaustive list and In no particular order such reasons can include:

• Connection time
• Route
• Seat availabilityAircraft type
• Soft product including expected meal service
• Length of travel/flight
• Lounge Availability/Access

Never significantly more however.

 

[Seat0B]

I’m with @AuSammy and @serfty on this.

For overseas travel I will choose the flight that offers me the best value, not necessarily the cheapest, but the cost is important in my decision. I also take into consideration the airline/alliance and my FF benefits, the time of the flight (hate early mornings or red eyes), the aircraft and if I like it or want to try something new, the route/stop overs etc - sometimes I like to go to a new airport, or a new country especially if stop overs are included at a cheap cost or even free, connection time, quality of the lounges I could use, etc.

For domestic flights it’s price and schedule all but equal in importance.

I voted price, but it’s not really the only factor.

 

[FlyingFiona]

I'm a points flyer, so I fly whatever is available. However, I'd like to know, and appreciate, the aircraft more, especially becasue I see so much chat about them in the forums. Is there an article (or thread with a pinned top post) summarising the different types of craft and their high and low points? If not, that'd be really useful if someone has the inclination....

 

[aikman]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly makes one plane nicer than another and how is it noticeable to an average flyer? I assume we're talking about the plane itself and not the seat.

 

[Blackadder]

Personally I'm not a early morning person , so unless it's significantly cheaper or I have to fly early
I'll look for a mid morning departure.

 

[markis10]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly makes one plane nicer than another and how is it noticeable to an average flyer? I assume we're talking about the plane itself and not the seat.

Cabin pressurisation, window size and ambient noise levels all play a factor.

 

[n7of9]

A J reward trumps all, I'll take whatever I can get. If paying cash, I'll choose a convenient time, and certainly for a 4-hour trans-con flight.

 

[Daver6]

This comes up often for me on Australian trans-con flights. Both work and leisure. The A330s, which I consider to be nicer in both Y and J tend to be at less desirable times. Or the occasional 787 which can mean F lounge access. At the end of the day, I'm not going to get up at sparrows for a nicer plane and start a trip being tired. When it comes to getting home, I'm not going to delay a work trip and arrive home later than I need to. So schedule is a higher priority for me.

 

[Dmac59]

I’ve taken the inconvenience for flying on a wide body AC, but sometimes that fails thanks to QF substituting.
Recent MEL-PER A330 subbed out for a 737

 

[SYD]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly makes one plane nicer than another and how is it noticeable to an average flyer? I assume we're talking about the plane itself and not the seat.

The obvious example is when flying up front. A full flat seat v a recliner.

 

[aikman]

The obvious example is when flying up front. A full flat seat v a recliner.

Ah, so it is about the seat, not the plane.

 

[Dmac59]

Ah, so it is about the seat, not the plane.

And when travelling in Y, the 737 layout is 3-3 but the A330 is 2-4-2.
So if travelling with a companion you can avoid the middle seat

 

[Mattg]

Forgive my ignorance but what exactly makes one plane nicer than another and how is it noticeable to an average flyer? I assume we're talking about the plane itself and not the seat.

It depends, but often for me I would choose a wide-body over a narrow-body plane. It's usually more spacious, with seats and IFE designed for longer flights, and an all-round more pleasant experience.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

I guess it depends on airline, the aircraft, the hardware and scheduling as well.

Take QF for example: 2-4-2 on the A330 is much more pleasant experience than than crammed in 3-3 on a narrowbody for longer flights, especially a red eye. i.e. DPS-SYD vs DPS-MEL.

In the above example, not only would I pick the widebody, but I'd also route through SYD to pick up an extra 10 SCs.

On a short hop between MEL and SYD, it doesn't really matter.

 

[Mattg]

I'm a points flyer, so I fly whatever is available. However, I'd like to know, and appreciate, the aircraft more, especially becasue I see so much chat about them in the forums. Is there an article (or thread with a pinned top post) summarising the different types of craft and their high and low points? If not, that'd be really useful if someone has the inclination....

Are you talking about the aircraft themselves or the seating configurations/types of seats that airlines are installing inside them?

 

[Flyerwin]

Yes for lying down business class options. I would take a different time and do a transit to avoid 737 business which is sit up and go for a lie down A330 business seat which is what I’m about to do in a few weeks to go overseas. Same price. But more inconvenient for a better overnight seat.