767*

[c9]

The Boeing 767, a widebody jet, was introduced at around the same time as the 757, its narrowbody sister. The 767 has a seat-to-aisle ratio in economy class of 3.5 seats per aisle, making for quicker food service and quicker exit of the plane than many other jetliners, which typically have between four and six seats per aisle in economy class.

In 2000, the government of China purchased a 767-300ER as the official executive aircraft of President Jiang Zemin. the aircraft had originally been delivered to Delta Air Lines in June 2000 but was immediately resold to China United Airlines. After its transfer to the Chinese government, the plane was taken to San Antonio, Texas to be refitted with a custom interior.

In the fall of 2001, the Chinese government announced that it had discovered 27 covert listening devices imbedded in the plane's interior. The Chinese government blamed the CIA for planting the bugs. The 22 Chinese military and government officials charged with overseeing the refit were arrested for suspicion of negligence and corruption.

More trivia: The air flowing through a 767-400ER engine at takeoff power could inflate the Goodyear blimp in seven seconds.

Best 767 Story Ever

* Oops, all the pics and stories from France made me forget to post this on time...

Comments

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

I absolutely hate hate hate 767s.

That said, I hate 777s more.

Boeing's great days ended with the 747 as far as I'm concerned.

[jamincan.livejournal.com]

I've never actually flown in one, but I've always understood that the 2-3-2 seating arrangement was quite popular with passangers.

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

Well, from that point of view - yes - 2-3-2 is infinitely better than 3-4-3 or 3-3-3 or 2-5-2 on the DC-10.

I think it's the fact that 767s tend to be (a) not as nice in business class and (b) crammed as full as possible in coach for a plane of their size that makes them feel very unpleasant.

[c9.livejournal.com]

What is it you hate? 747s are very sexy from a glory-days-of-flight perspective, but so inefficient, so loud, and so painful for boarding, disembarking, and feeding...

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

I guess I don't view flying as about "boarding, disembarking, and feeding". Usually you're stuck in them for 10-12 hours - I feel quality of life inside the plane is much more important.

Most airlines have made the 777 into an incomfortable cattle car with narrow, hard seats.

As far as the 767, the pax/lavatory ratio is usually terrible, and they're usually terribly outfitted.

That said - I refuse to fly coach internationally these days if at all possible. The worst part about coach is how people act when cramped in such small spaces for such a long time.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Agreed 100%. Air Canada's 767s are quite old too (early 80s) so they are the worst of the worst. I love taking the newest Airbi just for the more pleasant atmosphere.

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

Yup, not to mention A330/340 are MUCH quieter inside than boeings!

[c9.livejournal.com]

Except for the refusing to fly coach -- damn you and your credit limit! :)

[ironmanjt.livejournal.com]

LOL, it pays to collect the miles :)

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the 7E7 in your list. And I heard a rumour that there is a 787 on the horizon.

I can't remember - did you go to the Boeing plant when you were here last? If not, we'll have to be sure to pencil that in to your next trip out here.

[c9.livejournal.com]

Vinny and I went while Pete was at work. Great fun, I'd totally go again if you two wanted to join us.

7E7 == 787.

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Weird. I had thought that, then read something that made me think differently. But now the web tells me 7E7 == 787 so I suppose I'll have to believe you. :-)

Ah. Here (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/203750_boeing15.html) is an interesting article explaining the change. Sort of.

Did you go to the plant north of Seattle (wide body) or the plant south of Seattle (narrow body)?

[c9.livejournal.com]

North - biggest building in the world, etc. Is the South any different, I wonder?

[cap-hill-latte.livejournal.com]

Not sure how much you can see of the actual production facilities in the south one. But there is the museum of flight there which now houses a Concorde.