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Comment by maxcan | Hacker News Reader

I'd take 8 hours in a A321 with Jet Blue's layout (in mint or economy) than any wide body from AA or United.

As a tall person, I don't think there really is any significant difference. The seat pitch in economy on most jetblue flights is 32" (per seatguru), which is generally the same as united/aa on transcontinental. Yes there are UA/AA/etc layouts with 31, as there are jetblue with 34". The bottom line, is that if you don't fit in these smaller seats, paying the upgrade fee on a crappy airline/ticket generally gets one more space than flying a more premium airline. But the difference is frequently nullified (cross airline) simply by selecting a different date/flight with an alternative plane/seat layout.

(and the widths all tend to be ~17.5" or so)

It's not all about seat pitch; on an A380 you can get up and walk around for a hundred meters or so, on a small plane you are basically stuck in your seat or the bathroom.

Not to mention the bars and lounges in business & first class.

https://onemileatatime.com/guides/airplane-bars-lounges/

A380 is mostly history. Many airlines abandoned them during Covid and I have not heard of any revivals.

Emirates have them going full steam ahead again (they have 120 of them). I hear the 9:00pm flying from my city to Dubai every night. Qantas have re-introduced them - I think four at least are back in service, three are undergoing cabin refits and by mid next year they will have 10 back in service (they are retiring 2 of the 12 they had).

Emirates for sure, but they are an exception. No other operator uses them at the same scale.

While I like the A380, I must say I am glad having avoided the Gulf Airlines so far. One time it was close that I booked family trip with Ethiad, but then my wife said they are supressing women, she will stay at home. Of course ethical arguments could be probably applied to any airline in Europe, flying with oil from the Middle East and now from Russia. And of course for all cars, but luckily I don't drive.

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