Take the Boeing 777-200ER, for example. The Airbus A330-300 has a similar capacity to the Boeing 777-200. Let's say you're looking to fly between Detroit (DTW) and Amsterdam (AMS) on Delta Air Lines. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Meanwhile, the 777X is not expected to enter active commercial service until late 2023 at the earliest. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. From here on out, we're picking the best of a subpar selection. Today, Airbus is also offering re-engined A330neo variants. The Boeing 767 preceded the A330 and was a pioneering aircraft in its early days. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Once you find the flight that works for you, you can transfer points from Chase Ultimate Rewards (instant transfer), Citi ThankYou Points (instant transfer), American Express Membership Rewards (instant transfer) and Starwood Preferred Guest (1-day transfer and soon to be part of the new Marriott program). Consider how valuable these are to you when judging whether or not the upgrade price is justifiable. Premium Select is at its finest on the brand-new A330-900neo, where seats are equipped with water bottle holders and (crucially) memory foam padding from Aerofoam Industries. Both the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A330 are products of the 1990s a time when legacy long haul aircraft (such as the Boeing 747 and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10) were nearing the end of their useful lifespans. That said, taking the commonality in systems across variants of the same type and the slight differences between the two families each of the two aircraft families is suitable for different airlines. They are both twins, airlines use them on flights of all durations although primarily on medium- and long-haul flights, and they have been produced in similar numbers. Currently based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Particularly in the mid-range section, the seating positioned between standard economy and business class, the difference can be stark. Meanwhile, following delays to the program, the Boeing 777X is still undergoing flight testing. Instead, it focuses on the Airbus A350 product line for this use. When flying Delta internationally, you can dive into other options beyond simply selecting a route and time. holds a Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger. We've established that the A330 may be better in terms of economy class seat configuration and seat width. My name is Keishi Nukina, and I am an aviation enthusiast, writer, and photographer based in Japan. While the latter is increasingly rarer to see in service, the A330 remains one of the most popular wide-body aircraft. Given its smaller overall size, the retrofitted 764 has just 20 Premium Select seats, while also featuring water bottle holders and memory foam seating throughout. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. As a result of the crash, operators with the same model of pitot tubes were advised to replace them with other manufacturers ones. Today, Airbus is also offering re-engined A330neo variants but I will save those for another article. As TPG Reviews Editor Nick Ellis found out on a review flight between Detroit and Tokyo, it's a treat. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hi! Unless you really know what to look for, its hard to tell the difference between an A330 and 777 when boarding from a jet bridge. So, let's look at why the 787 might be a better choice. Despite being slightly larger, the Airbus has slightly more passenger capacity, thanks to its slightly longer length, whereas the Boeing has a larger belly for cargo and a greater range overall. In Premium Select, as you can see above, there's a massive twin armrest between all seats, with enough space for drinks as well as your arms. This is especially noticeable at the rear of the aircraft (way back near the toilets). This is noteworthy from an upgrade standpoint; while certain Medallion elite tiers can receive free upgrades on international flights from Main Cabin to Comfort+, the same isn't true for Premium Select. Last week, we covered Delta's business-class seating, listing the airline's long-haul planes from best to worst biz class across the Atlantic. On the other hand, the 777 family is better suited for airlines that can use the extra capacity that the 777-300 provides compared to the A330-300 and 777-200. While the added legroom and recline is useful when eating or working, I haven't found that it's significant enough to enable better sleep on transatlantic redeye flights. But, I am going to introduce you to a couple of ways you can experiment with to try a business class flight without having to spend thousands of dollars. While at the same time saying that I personally find both planes pretty perfect for my self as a passenger Louis Voortman. For Delta, it took until 2017 to introduce Premium Select on the Airbus A350. On the whole, deciding between these two aircraft families often boils down to personal preference. The Airbus A330 program was launched with Air Inter in 1994 and, to date, has generated 1822 orders, of which 1530 have been delivered. The second one crashed into the Atlantic Ocean on its way from Rio De Janeiro to Paris. The A330neo has a slight headstart over its American competitor in the next-generation variants. The aircraft is pressurized to only 6,000 feet, while the 777-300ER's cabin pressure, like most other non-composite airliners, generally sits around 8,000 feet when airborne. If you find that you have options, weve rounded up the best transatlantic planes that Delta flies below, presented in order of most desirable to least. Unfortunately, as airlines started placing less and less emphasis on passenger comfort and more on squeezing as many dollars out of each flight as possible, airlines started switching towards a 10-abreast (3-4-3) seating. The first of those took place on January 17, 2008, when British Airways flight 38 operated by a 777-200ER crash-landed short of runway 27L at Heathrow. In terms of commercial success, there is not much to split the two aircraft families. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Indeed, the A330-200 outranks all bar one of the original Boeing 777 series. Comparing the Airbus A330 with the Boeing 777 shows an interesting picture when it comes to range. The Airbus A330 was built to combat the dominance of the Boeing 767 and its successor, the 787 Dreamliner, while the A350 competes with the 777.. Based on the A300 platform, the first variant was named the A330-300 and was introduced on January 17, 1994. His strong relationships with Middle Eastern and Canadian airlines make him an asset to the team. Versions of the A330 have a range of 5,000 to 13,430 kilometres (2,700 to 7,250 nautical miles; 3,110 to 8,350 miles) and can accommodate up to335 passengers in a two-class layout or carry 70 tonnes (154,000 lb) of cargo. Each seat offers 18.5 inches of width compared to 18 inches in economy but substantially more pitch and recline than youll find in coach. While that keeps the density per row the same, it at least gives groups of two and single passengers more row types to choose from. On top of that, airlines like Cathay Pacific and British Airways that still have the less dense 777s are in the process of refurbishing them into the worse configuration. Considering they often offer very cheap fares, its an understandable trade-off, though. The planemaker is yet to detail specs and list prices for this jet. Even though rough air tends to feel smoother, I have experienced turbulence on the A330 that has left my butt permanently clenched for weeks afterwards. As a passenger I preferred the 767. Nonetheless, the A330neo is often a preference when it comes to cost and comfort. Signature Class pods are offered onboard the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, and Airbus A330 aircraft. The 787 also has larger windows that are dimmable - not found on the A330. While Premium Select passengers on the A339 get a 13.3-inch seatback entertainment screen, Comfort+ and Main Cabin passengers have a 10.1-inch panel. Now that Delta's incarnation Premium Select is available on four different aircraft types, it's time to answer the question: Is it worth it? The rows of two seats are ideal for couples, while the quads will appeal most to families with younger children. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying, ITA Airways is also flying between Italy and Brazil. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. While SkyMiles arent highly valued per TPGs own valuations, you can boost your SkyMiles balance by adding a co-branded Delta Amex to your wallet. Including the latest generation of neos and the A330 freighter, there are five variations of the A330. The Airbus A330 launched one year prior to the 777. Heres a sampling of credit cards you can use to earn points in these programs: If youre on the fence about which card will serve you best as a Delta flyer, weve assembled a guide to help out. Sharing similar attributes and purposes, I thought. Air France, the launch customer, received its first airframe in 2004. Your email address will not be published. Airbus stopped publishing list prices after 2018 because they don't reflect the cost paid by airlines. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Horrible, almost-unimaginable pilot error. Turbulence isnt any milder on the A330. he cried, but it was too late. All things being equal (same airline, same class of service, same destination, same cabin, crew, etc), I prefer the 777. But it goes a lot deeper than that. Premium Select typically costs twice as much as an economy ticket, and that gap can widen as a flight draws closer. Both aircraft have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it really depends on what is important to the individual when deciding which is better. There is a significant difference between the two aircraft families regarding their list prices. Then, there's legroom. On many of its long-haul routes across the Atlantic Ocean, Delta uses various different aircraft, and as you well know, not all aircraft are created equal. Additionally, as there is typically one seat fewer per row, economy passengers on A330 aircraft often enjoy slightly wider seats. Why? Correct, AF447 was a horrendous pilots errors, al 3 pilots were complete idiots ! Airbus products seem to lack that same quality. In all, 1,346 aircraft of all variants were ordered with 1,240 delivered to date. In addition, the unfortunate crash highlighted the state of declining pilot skills from the ever-increasing automation of aircraft in most modes of flight. While two aircraft types currently feature Delta's only true premium economy product, Delta Premium Select, the Airbus A350 is the newer option. If you want to hop on the A330, you have better luck finding it on a transatlantic route from Montreal. While springing for a Premium Select seat on a longhaul Delta flight is a no-brainer for those with ample disposable income, these are a few granular points to consider before pulling the trigger. Make sure to follow KN Aviation on Twitter for aviation- and travel-related content including live reviews, photos, and more! There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on individual preferences and needs. The galleys on the 777 are better organized than they are the A330. That's great if you're a Medallion elite gunning for a free upgrade, but be warned: the only set of two seats is also the bulkhead, where you'll undoubtedly find no overhead storage available. This means that Boeing has a backlog of 632 jets. holds a Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger. The 777 can carry up to 440 passengers, and fly up to 9,844 miles (15,842 km). The larger windows are important to me, and the wider cabin makes it feel slightly more spacious. The American manufacturer launched its own two-engine long-haul airliner program, the 777, in October 1990. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Short staffing and high demand could spell disaster for your summer travel plans, Now live: Earn over 4% APY interest on the cash back from your Apple Card. Passanger capacity in standard 3-class layout for widebodies and 2-class for narrowbodies (including A300, A310). Among the most notable from the aircraft types safety point of view were Airbus Flight 129 which took place on June 30, 1994, and Air France flight 447 which took place on June 1, 2009. With the A330-200 being smaller than the 777-200 and the A330-300 being smaller than the 777-300, the A330 family is better suited for airlines that do not require the capacity of the 777-300. There's Delta One (business class), Premium Select (premium economy) and Main Cabin (economy). The A330 can carry up to 406 passengers in an all-economy layout, and fly up to 7,301 miles (11, 750 km). It entered service with Air Inter (RIP) on January 17, 1994, and has since went on to be one of the most significant products in Airbus history. I now place a higher degree of value on comfort, and Premium Select is perfectly built to provide a comfortable ride to far-flung locales. The Airbus A350, the smallest of the four aircraft, is more fuel-efficient than the Triple Seven. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. ANA's newest premium economy seats, found on board its Airbus A380s, Boeing 787-10s, and Boeing 777-300ER planes, have a roomy 38 inches of pitch, a leg rest that supports the calf, massive 15.6 . The Airbus A330-300 has a similar capacity to the Boeing 777-200. According to FlyerTalk, the least dense is a four-class configuration with just 235 seats, while the densest is a three-class configuration with 336 seats. Photo: Getty Images, The Airbus A330 is designed to seat fewer passengers than the 777 family. Airbus A330 vs. Boeing 777: Comfort The overall comfort of your journey will depend on your class of travel, the airline and the type of seat it chooses, the seat pitch, and so on. Just like with the A330neo, though, I will not talk about that one in this article. As a passenger, I prefer boarding the 777. Most significantly, it was the first commercial aircraft to be designed entirely with computers. There are eight variations of the Boeing 777. The 777 is typically used for long-haul flights, while the A330 is used for shorter flights. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying, Qatar Airways became the first customer to order the Boeing 777X freighter, Airbus stopped publishing list prices after 2018. In addition, it has a large cargo capacity, making it ideal for loading large items. They are the most powerful engines ever installed in the 777, each having a thrust rating of between 360 to 510 kN. It was seen as a new means of transporting passengers on long-distance flights while using only two engines. In terms of distance, the smaller 777Xs, the 777-8, can fly 16,090 kilometers, and the larger 777-9 can fly 13,940 kilometers. Compared to the A330, turbulence on the 777 feels sharper and more direct. Included at each seat is a fluffy lumbar pillow, a Westin Heavenly-branded blanket, a set of LSTN noise-canceling headphones (the same ones found in Delta One), slippers and a Tumi amenity kit. Altogether, The A350 is far more popular than the A330neo family. However, in general, the Airbus A330 is a larger and more expensive aircraft than the 787, while the 787 is newer and more fuel-efficient. It was later replaced by the G29X on the 777x in January 2020. Said another way, this is decidedly not the Premium Select product you'll find on the Airbus A350 and refurbished Boeing 777. Meanwhile, the smaller A330-200 is more comparable in passenger capacity with the Boeing 767-400. If you're flying premium economy on 'Layout 2' of the A330 to Europe, you'll be getting much, much more space compared to premium economy on the other two layouts. Offers 36 in (91 cm) of pitch, more recline, a wider seat . Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. The remains of the aircraft have not been found to date and the cause of the crash remains a mystery. Which of the two aircraft do you prefer? The A330 was Airbuss first airliner that offered a choice of three engines: General Electric CF6, Pratt & Whitney PW4000, and Rolls-Royce Trent 700. I hate that. Where your seat ends, your neighbor's seat immediately begins. Explaining how an Airbus A330 feels in rough air is difficult. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. THE FINISH IN THE CABIN AND QUALITY OF THE SEATS are superior. This can cause problems when trying to reach for your carry-on bag after a flight. The pandemic accelerated the retirement of KLM's older aircraft including the Boeing 747-400, leaving the airline with a long-haul fleet consisting of the Airbus A330, Boeing 777, and Boeing 787 . Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Short staffing and high demand could spell disaster for your summer travel plans, Now live: Earn over 4% APY interest on the cash back from your Apple Card. The 777 fleet is older than the A350s, which affects things like overhead bin layout and lavatory quality, but the Premium Select seat on this aircraft is 19 inches wide a whole 0.5 inches wider than the Premium Select seats on the aforesaid A350. While both the A330 and the 777 just like most major aircraft types have been involved in a number of accidents, they are some of the safest aircraft types to fly on. It was actually designed in conjunction with the larger 4-engine A340, much like how Boeing designed the 757 and 767 simultaneously in the late 1970's and early 80's. Read more about the A330 on Wikipedia The Airbus A320 has a wider cabin than the Boeing 737. Orders for 72 classic 777s remain unfulfilled. Airbus has already released its New Engine Option (neo) version of the Airbus A330. The Airbus A330 is a medium- to long-range wide-body twin-engine jet airliner made by Airbus. I think I have to agree with you. on a review flight between Detroit and Tokyo, 16 lie-flat Delta One seats in the forward cabin, certain transatlantic 757-200 routes as having Premium Select, upcoming service between Boston (BOS) and Lisbon, Portugal (LIS), our review of Comfort+ onboard a Delta 757, book Delta award tickets through its Flying Club program, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Seattle (SEA)-Tokyo Narita (NRT) starting March 1, 2019, Los Angeles (LAX)-Tokyo Haneda (HND) starting March 31, 2019, Minneapolis (MSP)-Tokyo Haneda (HND) starting November 16, 2018, Atlanta (ATL)-Paris (CDG) from December 13, 2018 to March 29, 2019, Minneapolis (MSP)-Paris (CDG) from December 13, 2018 to March 30, 2019, Atlanta (ATL)-Tokyo Narita (NRT) starting March 1, 2019, Minneapolis (MSP)-Seoul (ICN) starting April 1, 2019, Gold Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express, Platinum Delta SkyMiles Business Credit Card from American Express, Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express, The Platinum Card from American Express for Membership Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for Ultimate Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card from American Express for bonus points. Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 are two of the most widely used, wide-body aircraft families in service with the world's airlines today. There's also a 13.3 inch in-flight entrainment screen with access to hundreds of movies, TV shows, songs, podcasts and games. On my 11+ hour flight from Asia back to the United States, I saw two flight attendants who minded the 28 seats in Premium Select aboard the A339, offering bottomless refills on drinks and snacks. Do you think this is an accurate assessment of the two types flying with Air Canada? But, when you consider that the width of an economy seat on a Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 is 18 inches, whereas a seat on the same carrier's 737s measures 17.3 inches across, then you see how it can make a pretty big difference for comfort. If youre looking to book an award ticket on any of these routes, youve got options. To Airbus credit, in 2007, the company recommended a refit of all A330s with upgraded pitot tubes. Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 are two of the most widely used, wide-body aircraft families in service with the worlds airlines today. Overall, I think I prefer the 777, but you cant go wrong with either. of the different A330 variants. The longer 777-300 first flew in 1995. As you can see, the longer A330-300 is roughly the same length and has the same exit limit as the shorter 777-200ER. The 777 is offered in a variety of cabin configurations. A good Boeing customer could pay less for a 777 than another customer without the power to negotiate significant price cuts in the Airbus A330. Holding a degree in Aerospace Technology, this certified pilot is a passionate specialist in European aviation. In this article, I look at them side by side in detail. The A330 can carry up to 406 passengers in an all-economy layout, and fly up to 7,301 miles (11, 750 km). These planes have opened up routes that weren't otherwise possible. These seat pairs are also a godsend if traveling with an infant in arms. correct.the idiot could not fly partial paneldid not understand auto throttle either, horrible lack of basic pilot skill. Journalist - A graduate in German, Jake has a passion for aviation history, and enjoys sampling new carriers and aircraft even if doing so demands an unorthodox itinerary. Learn how your comment data is processed. Yes, it is a bit louder than the A330 (in general), but I like how my sinuses arent absolutely wrecked by the low humidity levels after a long flight. My name is Keishi Nukina, and I am an aviation enthusiast, writer, and photographer based in Japan. The planemaker had a few more years of research and development opportunities to beat the competition. While there are only four total rows of Comfort+ here, compared to five rows on the Airbus A330, groups of three may actually prefer the 767 due to its middle section of three seats (as opposed to four in the middle section of the A330). Airbus A330-300 vs. Boeing 777-200. I do want to fly on DLs A330neo one day, though. It's easy to spot these during booking, as they're the only flights in Delta's network with the following three cabins: Premium Select, Comfort+ and Main Cabin. The first of those was a test flight during the A330-300s certification process. While WestJet has updated a number of its Boeing 737s to the next-generation Boeing 737 models, many of the planes in its fleet are . 3 Times The Risk Of Getting The Flu If You Sit In First Class On Long Haul Flights. Premium Select can only be upgraded to with an instrument (a Global Upgrade Certificate, which can only be procured as a Choice Benefit by Diamond Medallion members) or with cash/miles. Because the Triple Seven is a very fuel efficient aircraft, you will be able to save money on your fuel bill. This difference can certainly allow passengers to arrive at their destinations feeling refreshed and rested. The Boeing 777 is a very large aircraft that has a very large cabin space, as well as a large number of seats. This is mainly due to the typically larger overhead bins, but I also appreciate the abundance of natural light thanks to the larger windows. The most alluring reason to spring for Premium Select which is typically double the price of a main cabin economy ticket is the sheer space. Like the A350, the retrofitted 777s do not have any Comfort+ seating; instead, extra legroom seats in standard coach are labeled preferred and can be purchased or accessed free of charge by elites. This class of service offers significantly more comfort and amenities than standard Economy, Premium Economy, and Domestic First Class, which usually include: Double the seat pitch (legroom) compared to Economy 2-3 extra inches of seat width compared to Economy More degrees of recline compared to Economy Nowadays, while there are still airlines with 9-abreast 777s, you are more likely to encounter the tighter 10-abreast configuration. He's flown over one million miles on Delta alone, and serves as a senior writer at TPG. The Boeing 777 is slightly younger than the A330. 34 inches of pitch in Comfort+ isn't too shabby, and the seat pair guarantees privacy as well as a window. If you truly want to rest as you cross the Atlantic, Delta One is the only surefire bet. Todays most common 777, the 777-300ER, was launched in 2000 and made its first flight in 2003. Luckily, the crash resulted in zero fatalities. Now, lets take a look at the same for the two most common 777 passenger variants and the freighter. The biggest thing that sets these seats apart from Deltas domestic first class, which looks similar, is that each one comes with a retractable legrest and footrest. Let us know what you think and why in the comments! Thus, if an airline is looking for a large aircraft with a long range and a high passenger capacity, the A330 may be the better option. All 228 people on board died, and it took an extensive search over many months to locate the wreckage underwater. Well, it has 40 Comfort+ seats, which is more than other widebody aircraft in Delta's fleet. While you'll still be asked to use the lavatories in the economy section, I very much appreciated having a dedicated flight attendant. As of August 2018, Delta has but a single retrofitted Boeing 777 in service, which features the Delta One Suites and Premium Select cabin that are onboard every one of the carrier's A350 aircraft. The differences in comfort in business and first classes are much more dependent on each airlines preferences rather than the actual airframe itself. Crocs vs. 'Stocks: Which is the superior travel shoe? Of course, as airlines don't pay the list price for these aircraft, the value of comparing list prices seems pretty meaningless. Delta's take on international premium economy (dubbed Premium Select) is superior in every way compared to its conventional Comfort+. The airline has taken delivery of several brand-new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft that come equipped with Delta One Suites, and it's working on finishing a retrofit program for its Boeing 767-400ER jets that features a modified, doorless version of the latest Delta One product. The main reason passengers should desire flying on Air Canada's Airbus A330 is the cabin layout in economy. The shorter A330-200 followed in 1998. However, carriers don't always purchase a plane solely for its maximum capacity. Both of these portals, while they have their quirks, generally price Delta award tickets out cheaper than Deltas own booking engine. I found both meals to be very satisfactory, whereas I generally skip economy meals (and thus spend money on food at the airport). Perhaps it is an aircraft best suited to so-called 'long thin routes.'. There is a private wardrobe by the seat and extra . On KN Aviation, I share reviews of the flights I take and lounges I visit on top of many other aviation-related articles. Thanks Edited: 9 years ago Report inappropriate content 1-10 of 11 replies Sorted by 1 2 HappierStill Massachusetts Level Contributor 13,064 posts 10 reviews Great comparison by the way! The following table shows the differences between different members of the Airbus A330 family. Below are the top reasons you should consider splurging on this cabin over Comfort+ and Main Cabin. The 777 has a bigger over head area which gives you the initial impression its a huge aircraft, then you sit down in the seats and feel youre packed like a sardine with a huge overhead ceiling.