Does aircraft age matter?

Short answer: it depends

- DOMINIC KEITH

When boarding a flight, W most passengers are more concerned about their seat assignment, potential bad neighbours or inflight entertainment (IFE) than the age of the aircraft they are flying on.

However, the age of an aeroplane can significantly impact the flight experience, not to mention operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

Newer aircraft typically offer better amenities, such as larger and more comfortable seats, more storage, advanced IFE systems and enhanced connectivity.

Obviously, the aviation industry has come a long way from when flying was a loud, cold and unsettling adventure, where passengers experienced more physiological issues such as tiredness and dehydration.

New technology aircraft like the Airbus A350 long-haul jet, which is popular with airlines around the world including Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and soon Qantas, have been designed to leave all that behind. These aircraft offer enhanced passenger comfort with features like higher cabin pressure and improved air-filtration systems, which help to reduce jet lag and fatigue.

Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, which recently took delivery of its 48th A350, has been reshaping its worldwide operations around the latest technology A350 widebody.

"The Airbus A350 is noticeably quieter than other aircraft in the cruise, and I particularly notice it when coming into land through horrible weather. It's raining and you're being battered around a bit on approach, but on the flight deck you can talk at normal conversation levels. It's quiet for passengers, too - and this is great because one of the things that adds to jet lag and fatigue is noise," said the late Cathay Pacific captain, Evan Summerfield, in an official Cathay blog post.