No doubt the SQ crews are efficient if its an at-seat service you want, but its all rather clinical. On the other hand, if you bother to get up and talk to the UA crews when you need something (as opposed to just sit in the seat and expect them to be waiters/waitresses), the UA crews have all been excellent and friendly.

I agree that as good as the SQ cabin crew service is, it can be a little robotic. This, im sure is down to the stringent training they have been through. They are probably scared to offer anything other than a “Singapore Airlines rules of how to be a perfect flight attendant which you must follow to the letter” service. I have come across a few who have been a bit more relaxed, but its certainly not the norm. At least the customer is getting a very consistent service, and a good one at that. Its all a matter of personal opinion.

As for getting up to chat to U.S based airline cabin crew. Not anymore. I once spent a good 2hrs chatting to two UA crew in the rear galley of a 777 on an overnight ORD-LHR. Very nice, and a credit to there employer. Had a right laugh with them. I was going to go and sit down after 10 mins as not to disturb them from there duties, but they insisted a stayed and chatted a bit longer. They said these night flights were really boring so it was nice to chat to a stranger with an interest in flying (granted, this would never happen on an Asian airline). Nowadays, on a U.S airline ive found they dont even like you getting up from your seat, never mind chatting to them in the galley. I guess the FAA makes the rules for them but i find it very knee-jerk. Its a shame really.

An enjoyable read. I also love the CRJs, although not too keen on the 200s from a passengers perspective. A bit too cramped and i dont like how the windows are so low down making it hard to see out.

There always at it. SAS are bad for it too.

While on ths subjct of over head traffic, can any one tell me what passes over LBA at about midnight? This isnt every night and at a very high cruise level heading north??

I can’t answer your question but I think I hear the same as you? Sounds like a prop, really low pitch drone? I have been trying to find out about this aircraft for ages. Came to the conclusion it was some kind of mail plane.
Don’t here it so much now as I have moved to a different part of Halifax but always passed over my old house at midnight give or take 5 mins.

And just how do you “get her down”??? Once over the runway in the landing configuration with the power fully retarded, there’s not that much can be done to MAKE a plane land if the approach is hot or high, well at least not without risking bending the aeroplane…

Im not questioning the phsyics of flight Andy. My post reflected the fact that as i watched the video i was willing the aircraft down, as i suspect the pilot flying will have been doing also.

Quite a subjective question as one mans good flight on a certain aircraft with airline A will be different another mans on airline B. Looking at it just from an aircraft point of view I would say

Best
MD 80/DC9: Just a good, old school aircraft that I enjoy to fly on. Some amazing STEEP takeoffs out of CPH on the SAS MadDogs.
747: Again can’t quite put my finger on it but something special about flying on this airplane. Gracefull.

Worst:
A340: Poor takeoff and climb performence and just an underwhelming plane to fly on.
A319/20/21: Mundane. Probably flown on too many now, but they seem to lack that certain something. I’m sure there good from an operators piont of view but they have no soul. Guess I’m something of a Boeing fanboy.