John

Have any of you been on a nonstop 757 to Maui before? Did you feel rather cramped and claustrophobic compared to the wider body 767 or older DC10?

Sam

I hate it when the airlines use narrow-body aircraft on particularly long flights! Nonstop 757 to Maui is similar to Continental's use of extended-range 757s across the Atlantic. Ick!

Ida

Just completed a great flight on American Airlines 763 wide body. Seats were 2-3-2 (3 being in the middle section of the plane). Not bad at all. I'd avoid any wide body that has 2-5-2...it's terrible to get stuck in the middle section with 5 seats. UGH.

Anonymous

Ida, that plane is actually a 767 as AA doesn't have a 763 (doesn't even exist)!! Unfortunately, AA MISTAKENLY lists their 767's at times as 763's on their website!

John

It's not a mistake, Anon. A "763" is the abbreviation for a 767-300, or a Boeing 767, Series 300. You'll similar abbreviations such as "744", which is a 747-400 series, etc.

Anonymous

Okay John, I'll take your word for it, but I have to admit, that's the first time I've ever heard that! You should be working for AA as NO ONE at American on the phone could explain it to me -- only said it was a mistake! Now granted, they were only ticketing agents, but they SHOULD know this! By the way, what other series of planes are there for the 767 and what are the differences -- or is the 300 series simply their newest planes? Thanks!

John

I think the B767 has a series 100, 200, 300 and now 400. The higher numbers tend to be newer and in many (but not all) cases are "extended range" aircraft. On some airlines, you may see 76E or 767ER, which is also extended range.

Confusing, huh?

It gets better. Boeing's 737 has 100 all the way to 900. The B737-600 through 737-900 are the "next generation" models with the computerized cockpits, etc. The 737 started production in the late 1960s so just seeing "737" on an airline schedule doens't mean much until you see the # behind it. I often fly a "73G" or "738" when I can...this the Boeing 737-700 or 737-800 and are brand new.

Anonymous

Thanks, John! However, I do think that on AA's website they should list the plane as a 767 as I think MOST people are confused by this! But if people INSIST on knowing the series no., which I CAN understand, then it should say 767-3 or 767-300!!