Because of this.... I shall never set foot inside of one.

The manufacturer bows to the will of the airlines in making the seat anchor positions either closer together or spaced in such a way that they airlines are able to squeeze more seats together. I have been told (unconfirmed) that these seat anchor spacings are such in the A380 that there is a minimum seat to seat distance that is much more than other aircraft. HOWEVER, I am sure that Branson'* Virgin Airways will find a way to squeeze 1200 people on a max 880 seat plane.

But you are correct. The point of decision for squeezing us together lies with the airlines.

But the manufacturers don't have to be conspirators in this.

What airline did you fly to get to Florida on vacation? Chances are fairly good you've already been on an Airbus

You people get to go to Cuba?

I've never been. I go to Africa.

Actually, the chances are not that good...40% at best on certain routes. Airbus market share isn't as great as all that. Boeings are still the bulk of the fleet. Where Airbus is gaining is when airlines are retiring 727'*, MD-80'*, and 737'* at the end of their airframe total times. Replacing them with cheap Airbus models. Hence Boeing bring on the 737-900 to replace retired smaller, regional, aircraft.

I guess the thing that really ticks me off the most is that these european aircraft marks are propped up by their governments directly to help them survive, specificly to take out US manufacturers. Why some US airlines go down that path baffles me.

JetBlue used to have their entire fleet made up of A320s. Now they have a small fleet of regional Embraer E190 to take care of their shorter flights. Given the choice between the two, I would go with the A320...it flys so much nicer, and its learning curve isn't as steep as the 190. (I've had enough sim time in both to compare the two).

I agree that North American airlines *should* stick with home-built fleets, but Airbus, it seems, are the equivalent to Chevy Malibus or Chryslers K-platform cars. Cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, and you can always find parts for them.

Hate to tell ya... Boeing gets lavish subsidies as well...
http://www.buffalo.edu/reporter/vol3...es/Boeing.html

Um yeah okay :?

It came in from the east on approach to runway 24 Right, did a fly over of the airport, rolled to the south to follow the river east along the Villa Maria circuit for final approach, again on 24 Right. There were thousands of people around the airport as onlookers.



It flew over a few people'* home I'm sure

Cheers,