some aircraft can be 30 yrs or more old, But this has no effect on its airworthiness, especially when flying within Europe, ALL airframes undergo regular maintenance and an equivalent to an MOT most new cars would not pass, a major service is almost a complete rebuild after inspection, engine tone will vary during take off, flight and landing and other associated sounds [wheels going up or down, air breaks,flaps all create a different sound], also the air at cruising hight [say 36,000 ft] is a lot thinner than ground level and will change the sound from the engines

if you want to know the specific age of a fleet then you will need to tell us who you intend on flying with

wizard

Thanks for the re-assurance guys.

Last time I flew it was with Thomson to Cyprus. The plane was a big one with 4 seats in the middle rows. This time my daughter and I fly to Cancun, its with firt choice holidays on a v type with 3 seats in the middle

.

assuming your flight is with thomsonfly [they took over first choice airways] your aircrft is most likely to be a b763 {Darren will confirm if different} these airframes are between 7 and 10 years old [comparative youngsters]

wizard

AMSTERDAM,

As Wizard mentions, the aircraft you're flying on (Boeing 767-300/ER with winglets) are between 17 and 20 years old (manufactured bewtween 1992 and 1995). The oldest examples are being retired later this year. Even though they are 17-20 years old, there's still life in them yet if an airline wished to carry out the next heavy maintenance and continue to fly them. Aircraft aren't like cars, they are maintained to a much higher level so age isn't an important factor. As long as they are maintained to the required level, they have a long service life. Don't worry about your flights to Cancun. I've flown on all 6 of the former First Choice 763's many times and wouldn't hessitate boarding them tomorrow. Enjoy your time in Mexico

Darren

i knew you would know... i honestly thought they were registered between 2003 and 2007 [but then Im only an amateur compared to yourself

Well wish me luck i'm off to NYC and Las Vegas on 17th Dec. Hopefully the diazepam will be more effective this time. It'll be my first time flying on a 747 and I am getting anxious already.

Laura1988,

You'll be fine, the Boeing 747-400 is a great aircraft to fly on. Have a great time and let us know how you get on.

Darren

Even though Im a geezer the thought of flying always freaks me out inside. Dont show with the wife & kids onboard, but usually have a few stiff ones in airport lounge prior to boarding. Just dont enjoy it and now we are off on out first ever long haul to Cancun which takes forever apparently.

Absolutley crapping it if truth be known.

Whomenever,

You'll be fine. The flight time is approximately 11 hours outbound (about 1.5 hours shorter inbound, subject to weather and routing) so pushes the range / endurance of the aircraft you're flying on (B763) on the outbound sector, but the aircraft are comfortable enough. You'll have plenty of films to watch. It could be worse, the Pacific side of Mexico is another 3 hours, that was a fun flight! You'll be surprised how many frequent fliers get aprehensive about flights so you won't be alone. Just remember, the most dangerous part of any flight statistically, is the drive to and from the airport. Just look forward to the Corona when you get their

Darren

Well I can definitely relate to your fear Whomenever.... I spent years being terrified of flying. Just driving to the airport used to freak me out and god forbid i had to get on an aeroplane I would be in pieces as I walked down the airbridge and physically sick whilst on board. I spent years deferring from holidays abroad and visiting some lovely places in England, but the weather was always frightful.
I eventually decided to face my fear of flying because it was unfair on my husband and children. So I bought a hypnosis CD and listened to it regularly for about 3 months I then booked a short flight to Majorca and it was okay.
My other saving grace is I found this site and have spent ages on here gathering imformation about eveything to do with flying (I'm quite a geek now) but I feel more in control of the situation so enjoy it much more now. I now spend weeks counting down to my next flight, with excitement rather than fear. I hope you have a great flight and as Dazbo suggested you are more likely to have an accident driving to and from the airport rather than in the air

dinner-lady wrote:

Well I can definitely relate to your fear Whomenever.... I spent years being terrified of flying. Just driving to the airport used to freak me out and god forbid i had to get on an aeroplane I would be in pieces as I walked down the airbridge and physically sick whilst on board. I spent years deferring from holidays abroad and visiting some lovely places in England, but the weather was always frightful.
I eventually decided to face my fear of flying because it was unfair on my husband and children. So I bought a hypnosis CD and listened to it regularly for about 3 months I then booked a short flight to Majorca and it was okay.
My other saving grace is I found this site and have spent ages on here gathering imformation about eveything to do with flying (I'm quite a geek now) but I feel more in control of the situation so enjoy it much more now. I now spend weeks counting down to my next flight, with excitement rather than fear. I hope you have a great flight and as Dazbo suggested you are more likely to have an accident driving to and from the airport rather than in the air :fly

Good to see I aint alone here.
Whats playing on my mind now is this long trip over the Atlantic to Mexico,11 hours over water dont do me any favours at all. Thinking is getting some sleepers to calm me down a bit.

I think you you look at the past flight trackers a lot of the time they do not go over the water they fly over Ireland across to top of America and down the coast so you are always near land. When do you go to Mexico?

I developed a sudden fear of flying a few years back. I've never particularly enjoyed flights( apart from upgraded airmiles ones of course!) but hadn't really feared them. I just started to panic at the slightest turbulance and no matter what I said to myself or how annoyed i got I just couldn't shake it.
Took this after a recommendation
http://www.boots.com/en/Bach-Rescue-Remedy-Spray-20ml_22492/
And it worked- whether it was psychological or not.
I also recommended it to a colleague who was petrified of flying but wanted to overcome it to see her daughter and grandchild. She couldn't believe the difference it made to her and she is now no longer frightened.
I flew to Cancun last summer and am going this summer. The flight passes ok. A film, meal and a sleep

My daughter and grand daughter both did a Fear of flying course last Sunday at Gatwick.
Although they have flown to South America and South East Asia before they have had developed a real fear of flying and even a short flight to Jersey filled them with dread last summer.
My daughter was still slightly anxious on the flight at the end of the course but now feels she can fly without the terrible fear she previously had.
My granddaughter who was terrified completely relaxed on the flight and is now "cured".
It was expensive but worth it was their verdict.

dinner-lady wrote:

I think you you look at the past flight trackers a lot of the time they do not go over the water they fly over Ireland across to top of America and down the coast so you are always near land. When do you go to Mexico?

Flights to the US east coast and to Mexico usually fly over Ireland then more or less a direct track to Nova Scotia and then down the east coast of America. Tracks across the Atlantic change on a daily basis dependent upon the upper winds. Tracks across the Atlantic for today can be found here: http://jetvision.de/nattracks.shtml

Occasionally, the route will be via Lands End to Bermuda and then on towards Florida. The usual requirement for flight over water is that you are not more than 180 minutes from a suitable airfield where a landing could be made in the event of a problem.

We travel end of may. Appreciate to all sending info re route to Mexico,always thought you went over the sea ,never was much cop at geography. Minds made up now,going to get some help via hypnotherapist,if that don't work will book fear of flying thing from airport. Biggest fear is enclosed space,suffered from it since a kid.

Whomenever,

The specific routing depends on the weather and other air traffic on the day. You may have stayed over land, I've been on flights that have taken that route before now, but it's more common to follow the eastern seaboard and stay over water. This is roughtly the route;



You might find the following useful; Fear of Flying. It's a free online course that covers most of the main topics. There's a DVD that goes long with it. Let me know if you want a copy, I can dig one out as I did the cover photos and some of the video footage for it (I'm off to Jamaica in the morning though so it'll be 2 weeks before I can sort it).

Darren

Cheers mate.
have a good holiday in Jamaica.

So pleased your daughter is good to fly now Jay
I found that because I understand what things where (from watching things you shouldn't watch) it reasurred me, but than like most people I'm nervous about the unknown as until last year I had never flown.