AOPA has a interesting article on the differences between the B737 and A320, both staples of the short / medium haul market in the airline world.
Since my interaction with the heavy iron is basically limited to passenger status, I tend to choose the Boeing product thinking the Airbus is a flying computer and limits the pilots inputs.
Are there members in this fórum who "play" with heavy iron and can elaborate more on the differences and preferences of each brand of airplane and specifically the 737 and A320?

Rgs,

Patrick

If it ain't Boeing.... I ain't going.....

Never flew the bus, but had no desire to.... Seems like the guys that like them, loved them and the rest of us didn't like them. I just don't like their philosophy or taking control away from the pilot.

Got about 7000 hours in three versions of the 737 and find it predictable, easy to fly, no bad habits, handles very well and just works.

No bus experience in the front end.

They are both hugely successful airplanes, from a commercial standpoint.

There isn't a lot of difference for the passengers in the cabin.

They are very different in the cockpit. I can sure understand why pilots would prefer one over the other.

- Martin

I'm with Larry on this one, given a choice.

If Sully had been flying a Boeing, his name would not be a household word. On a Boeing, the engines may have been belching fire and smoke but probably would have made enough thrust for an uneventful landing at Newark(He only had to go a few more miles). The computer on the 'bus shut them down to save the engines, how did that work out??

Sigh.

Read the accident report.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

There is no way for the fadec to initiate an auto shutdown while airborne.

Fadec is fadec be it Boeing or Airbus.

Rode the scarebus for the first time lately and I was really surprised how noisy it was. Not the engines in cruise but anytime the gear or flaps were moved it sounded like something wasn't very happy. A fellow passenger told me it was normal (or common, I don't remember).

Sigh.

Read the accident report.
Yes, But I'm skeptical, if what I said was true, it would really hurt the airlines
You have no idea what you're talking about.
True fact, I have never been trained to fly an airliner
There is no way for the fadec to initiate an auto shutdown while airborne.
Not what I had heard, thanks for the info, that changes things
Fadec is fadec be it Boeing or Airbus.

I think you're referring to the weird squeak/groan "wrenching noise" that seems to go on for odd intervals forever after takeoff. It sounds like someone is trying to make chinchilla wine "the old way" by stomping on them in a vat. I dunno what it is, but it's wildly "imprecise" sounding. I hate that noise. Not because I think it's dangerous -- it just makes me think it's a giant kludge to solve a problem the engineers didn't get right.

I hadn't heard that amusing FUD about Sully before. Gonna add it to the list.

Sigh.

Read the accident report.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

There is no way for the fadec to initiate an auto shutdown while airborne.

Fadec is faded be it Boeing or Airbus.

As a passenger - Airbus every time. Much quieter, much better passenger comfort and just feels newer. One of the reasons I prefer Virgin America for domestic flights is their Airbus planes. The 737 is just old. Even when they're brand new they feel old. The same old 727 windows in the cockpit since the 60's. And now with the new 737MAX upgrade coming out with raised wing etc, what do I see, same old 727 windows still there. Looks so antiquated.

And if you've flown on the A380 you know what an exceptionally quiet ride it is. Nothing even comes close, not even the beautiful 787.

The Airbus noise is a PTU (power transfer unit). It can transfer power but not fluid to a unpowered hydraulic system. Mostly used on the ground.

Not sure about engines shutting down on one airframe more than the other?

There are multiple engine choices to be had for each airframe.

Is that the "barking dog" sound?

Yes

Even though both the B777 & B787 are fly by wire, meaning flight control inputs are converted to digital signals going to various components of the Primary Flight Control computers, Boeing made a decision to NEVER take the airplane away from the pilot!

What that translates to is that the PFC's may be flown beyond the normal flight envelope but they will never stop a pilot action from being completed. That includes Tail Strike Protection, Overbank Protection, and many others.

As has been presented to me, Airbus never gives the airplane to the pilot . . .

Several years ago I received a technical comparison of Boeing/Airbus. It's on my Boeing Computer and I'll see if I can find it.

Gents,

Flown both ...,. 737 is long in the tooth and the 320 is an optimized glider. Both are over all good airplanes hence the dominance in the market place.

My list of minor gripes between the two.

1.Like Airbus Logique it would work best with Boeing Performance.
2.Always annoyed in the 320 being stuck at FL390 while 737s above us in the clear.
3.737 Lnav clumsy when compared to the 320 and fly by wire protections.
4. Really missed the Tray Table and space with the A320 side sticks
5. Hated the side stick and Autothrottles as they aren't back driven and can't see the PF stick inputs
6.737 lands like a dump truck when compared to the A320; seen plenty crews carry 5-10kts extra so as avoid a tail strike on 738-800/900's
7. Love the cockpit storage space in the A320; always feel like packed in a tin on the 737 jumpseat.
8. Don't miss having to completely power down the A320 to clear computer faults in the FBW.
9. GPU relays very sensitive to Hz input on A320 many times kicked off connection leaving cabin dark ( Ill fated fuel conservation plan didn't account for GPU / Airplane issues soon reverted to using APU with increase in APU lease costs)
Spent 8 years on the A320 and 1 year on 737-800 before calling it a day.

Don't really miss the equipment more the comradarie and flying with my uncle and cousins.

Kevin (right back row)went ... A320-A340-757 - Upgrade A320-737- switch to US carrier back now as a A320 F/0 should be back in the Left seat soon.

The A vs B debate will always go one ( I have been lucky to fly both types) and they have no major vices.

Regards,
Nigel