A320
 

I think of the A320 as being a bus service with wings. It's been one of the most successful civil aircraft of all time (if you take into account the sales backlog, the most successful). I understand that from those at the front that it's quite fun to fly, but for us pax it's just a tube we sit in for a short time.

Anyone have more enthusiasm for this for this dependable workhorse than I do?

When I'm in Grantham:
- 2 hours by bus to Lincoln
- 2 hours 6 minutes by train to London
- (if you leave out the time to get to the aeroport) 2 hours to Verona.

It's a bus service with wings.

Isn't it generally accepted as being a (slightly) better ride than the 737 ?

Today, A320 family aircraft flights are not necessarily short!

Neither are some bus trips ......................... :( especially a rall replacement service calling at every tiny station................

yes - they're a more modern design - more comfortable I find and better all round

David Reid UK
I would agree with you and indeed a couple of pilots I know who flew both prefer A320 over 737. As a passenger I would agree with Justapax that they do become a little boring internally though the longer haul ones with proper Business Class seat like those in Turkish are a lot better than the std BA /LH offering in that class.

Cheers
Mr Mac

You're right, the A319neo in particular has much more range than I thought. I've always thought of the A320 series as hopping around Europe, with the A318 flying to New York with a stopover at Shannon to pick up more fuel eastbound, but the A319neo can do the Atlantic with a full load. You learn something new every day!:)

I flew on SAS A321NEO LR (not even XLR) from Washington Dulles to Copenhagen, So not only A319 NEO can do that.

Justapax
I did the LCY to JFK once and it was probably as close to corporate Jet flying on a commercial aircraft I have experienced, but came back on AA into Manchester which brought me back to reality. Indeed it was my last US carrier flight as I avoid them now. Back in the day I did an A340 Singapore to Newark but it did not have the little corporate jet feel of the Baby Bus even though all Business Class.
Cheers
Mr Mac

Sectors such as Sydney - Bangkok (9+ hours) are quite possible in A321XLR. Not for me but I image airline accountants will like this.

I've nothing against narrow bodies, spent many long hours on 707s and DC8s but modern narrow bodies are such an awful passenger experience.

Almost worth another thread. What's so special about corporate jets? They get you from A to B rather than near C to not that far from D, but it's still a very small tube with pax in it, like Concorde. Let us into your world!:)

My husband used to fly the B737 and then the A320. He said if you could combine the best qualities of the two, that is, the Boeing below 5000' and the Airbus above, it would be perfect.

What's so special about corporate jets? Time, privacy and convenience.

Time - it's your schedule, not someone else's. If you need to be screened (complicated - depends when/where/size of aircraft/ownership etc), then it's usually very quick. Immigration checks are done either remotely or through the private terminal (FBO). If they need to be done in a public terminal, you go to the head of the queue.
Privacy - you can escape the public's gaze for a while or have meetings on board. That also links with time. The FBOs are usually well managed and discreet.
Convenience is the big one. It's usually the closest airport to where you are and where you need to go. If you're a business man with multiple stops that day, you just can't do it on an scheduled airline.
Small tube? Not really. Often with only 1 or maybe 2 people in it. The very small ones aren't meant for long trips and they can operate into airports that airliners cannot even think about going to. Eg Phenom 100, Mustangs etc.
The one I flew until last year was known as a super midsize aircraft. Perfect for flying across Europe or continental USA. It could carry 9-10 pax but I'd say 4-6 very comfortably. Max mass was about 18 tonnes. (~Dash 8-1/200 weight). My friends fly the ultra long range Bombardiers and Gulfstreams weighing in at about 40-50 tonnes. (An A320's roughly 60 tonnes). So... not that small.

It's like the difference between a chauffeured limousine and a public bus. Yes it costs more, but if you can afford it, it's worth it.

One could argue the difference between First Class versus Economy. I've been lucky to experience first class (and business class) on many long haul flights. I've also been in economy on long haul flights. For me, it's worth spending the money on either Business or First Class seats on long haul. Other folks may have other priorities, which is ok. :)

THE important thing about Business Jets is that no-one else can fly on them - only people you choose

Even First on commercial isn't like that

(Some) people will always pay for exclusivity