How far would you fly on a plane with 1-2 seating?

[Sleepy]

Thought I was going to definitely fly Delta for the return flight until I found out the seating is 2-1 across. I flew one of those many years ago and it almost gave me a heart attack. That was only a 45 minute flight. The one I am looking at now is 2 hours long. I just don't think I can fly that long in a puddle jumper. You can feel every dip. I'd rather leave the coaster ride to the amusement parks.

Anyone here feel comfortable flying that long in such a small plane (non-stop)? Hubby doesn't seem to mind, but I am now leaning more toward SWA since I know for sure they are all bigger planes.

 

[musclecar_72]

I assume your referring to a regional jet. We usually fly from Greensboro, NC to orlando on delta and its almost always a 50 passenger 2-2, or one of the 35 passenger 1-2. I love both of them more than the big planes as they board/deboard quicker and are a fun ride. Our flight is usually 1 1/2 each way and I don't heistate a minute to fly on them.

 

[yellowfish78]

I'm flying home from MCO to CAK with DL on a 1-2 seating plane; which is a 2 1/2 hour flight and nonstop.
Personally I love flying in the smaller planes. I guess the way I'm thinking is that I'm smaller in the air. I enjoy knowing that I'm one of 50 people on this flight. Less people to worry about, quicker boarding process..etc..
All I care about is that it is a JET and not a Turboprop with propellers...those SCARE me worse than anything!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd fly as far as the plane's fuel would safely take us, then land and wait to be refueled and take off again. It's a jet - it's fine.

 

[paulmc80]

Depends exactly what aircraft you're referring to as a "puddle jumper."

If you're referring to the small jet engine aircraft that seat something like 40 to 50 passengers then those are good aircraft. Something like the Canadair Regional Jets, or the Embraer jets are fine aircraft. I've flown those and as the ride has been smooth and comfortable. Maybe even smoother than a larger jetliner. The seats tend to be a little smaller though, and the carryon storage is a little less resulting in many times larger carryons being gate checked for these planes. But, the ride is as good as any jet I've ever flown or better.

If you're referring to some of the smaller turbo prop type aircraft that can be quite different.

 

[paulmc80]

......

 

[p2oh]

We always fly the Delta 1-2 planes to WDW because they are the only non-stop available out of my airport. The flight is about 2 hours and I honestly can't tell too much difference in those versus the bigger jets.

 

[Sleepy]

Depends exactly what aircraft you're referring to as a "puddle jumper."

If you're referring to the small jet engine aircraft that seat something like 40 to 50 passengers then those are good aircraft. Something like the Canadair Regional Jets, or the Embraer jets are fine aircraft.
If you're referring to some of the smaller turbo prop type aircraft that can be quite different.

Hmm....I guess one can tell I don't fly much. The one I was refering to many years ago was a tubo prop thing. It was the scariest flight of my life (and first plane ride to boot).

Did not realize there were other planes out there that could have been different. I was going by the seating and assuming it was same as "puddle jumper" of the past, I would be afraid to fly in it.

Thanks everyone for the clarification. This plane is the Embraer. I was unaware of what style plane it was. I feel better now.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

Sleepy-

I am ABSOLUTELY terrified to fly, I have to take sedatives and the whole 9 yards. We flew in an Embraer in March to Boston and back, about an hour give or take each way. When I saw the plane, I was like, "You have to be kidding me"

Honestly, it was a nice flight. DH and I were on the "2" side and it felt like it was just us, sitting alone. And the worst part for me is always take off and landing, but in the small plane, they were both MUCH less stressful. I don't know if those planes ascend faster or what, but before I could get worked up about takeoff, we were in the air.

I give those little jets a .

And this is from a woman who has made her DH drive 1200 miles each way to FL for the past 4 years with 2, 3, and 4 kids to avoid flying!

 

[hanncam]

musclecar 72, my family and I are flying out of RDU this september on a 2-1 plane on delta.... It has been a while since I've done this and I only rememberr the flight being right at an hour....am I wrong? Was it really that long?

 

[ShannonN]

We returned a couple of weeks ago from our trip to WDW. We flew Delta Embraer 145 jet which held about 55 people. I had no problem with it. This is suppose to be one of the safest planes you can ride on. The ride was smooth the seats are
1-2 and somewhat small but my DH is 6' and about 245 and he had no trouble sitting. Our flight was about 1 1/2 hours long and seemed to go by really fast! I would take a nonstop flight on an Embraer anyday over a flight where you have a lay over. Less chance of loosing luggage and I'm not that crazy about flying so the quicker I can get there the better. For me it was great!!

 

[cranbiz]

I used to fly as part of my job many years ago and the "puddle jumpers" were many times that only way to get there (and they WERE turbo props then)

Now recently, the longest flight that I have taken on a CRJ was indeed BOS-IAD-MCO and back again (4 hours). Would I do it again, yes if that was the cheapest/best way there. I had Independence at $49 R/T on those flights.

I prefer the larger planes because they are usually non stops for me, but have no issues at all with the regional jets. RJ's load faster and you will usually get more attention from the FA's on them.

 

[NCRedding]

nanncam: the trip from RDU to MCO is about 1 hour and 40 minutes, gate to gate. About 1 hour and 20 minutes in the air.

 

[Sleepy]

Now I wish I had not booked SWA back in Feb. This airport is much more convenient and now that I know the plane is not one I fear, it makes me want to kick myself for booking SWA. Living where we do, there is absolutely no way we would ever use a credit from SWA to be able to book round trip for this flight through Delta. It would be a $300 loss.

 

[snels]

We flew from Central WI (CWA) to Detroit on a Saab Turbo Prop in May. The flight was two hours. I always try to avoid the Saabs, but Northwest pulled one of their plane changes on us. Bring along ear plugs.

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

My DD and I just flew USAirways express from Boston to PA on a regional "puddle jumper" with propellers. Seated about 30 people or so. It was noisier, but other than that, the ride was fine. I always try for nonstop flights. The FA was great, we got drinks, she gave my DD a blanket for the ride. She said it was the crew's 12th flight that day, so they were all eager to get out of Logan and get home!

 

[Paull117]

We flew from Central WI (CWA) to Detroit on a Saab Turbo Prop in May. The flight was two hours. I always try to avoid the Saabs, but Northwest pulled one of their plane changes on us. Bring along ear plugs.

My wife flies from there all the time. She is always looking for the jets over the Turbo Props. Lately we have been driving to Milwaukee flights have been almost $100 cheaper per ticket that justifies the 4hr car ride, but it is a pain when you have an airport only 15 min away.

Paul

 

[boBQuincy]

The little jets are fine, they fly as fast as the big ones and are just as airworthy, however...
the seats have little padding and after the 90 minute flight from RDU to MCO we felt like we were sitting on concrete. I recommend a seat pad, the most convenient ones are from Therm-a-Rest. These make even a long flight a comfy one.


boB

 

[Michael623]

Earlier this year I flew from Boston to Burlington, VT in a 19 passenger prop plane with 1-1 seating. If you stood in the aisle and put out your arms you could touch both sides at once. It was tiny. The flight was 45 minutes and I don't think I could have handled much more. I find the small jets to be a great ride plus they load and unload really quick.

 

[zurgswife]

Now I wish I had not booked SWA back in Feb. This airport is much more convenient and now that I know the plane is not one I fear, it makes me want to kick myself for booking SWA. Living where we do, there is absolutely no way we would ever use a credit from SWA to be able to book round trip for this flight through Delta. It would be a $300 loss.

do you have any friends or realative that might fly SW. You could book there flight with your credit and they could pay you. If you rebook it doesn't have to be the same people from the origianl flight.