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Okay, those trip photos were from last year (outbound and return). - - - - - Earlier this year, I checked another aircraft off the bucket list. I had to check the free mileage ticket calendar, find the segment with an Airbus 340(-300) that Swiss (partner of United) uses, and book it by just paying about $75 in taxes. The folks at Swiss and the plane were great! The 340-300 (better proportions than the larger 600) parked at the gate. The smaller engines on this smaller version of the 340 are cool. The girl in the aisle probably wondered what I'm doing. (It's mostly males that photograph airplanes, so she probably can't relate.) This is the economy cabin: 2-4-2 seating If you see an engine that far out on a wing from your seat, you know you're on a "quad." Clean and green Switzerland, and the landing in Zurich (to transfer) will be happening in about a minute or two. - - - - - The return was on a domestic 787. Remaining on the bucket list - let's see if I can do it all in a year - are the rare 767-400, the biggest 777 (the 300ER) and the newer Airbus 350. Part of the fun for me is also how you get there.

That's pretty much what it is all about. There just wasn't anything found, no crash site, no anything really. There were later small pieces found floating ashore but, I won't spoilt anything for you.

Some recent enough real life experiences - - - - - A-330 The eastbound crossing aboard Finnair (partner of AA) and changing planes in Helsinki of all places ... great airline The 2-4-2 seating of the A-330 cabin The plane seen after getting off in Helsinki and inside the terminal Here's their newish A-350, with the curved winglets and raccoon paint around the front window - - - - - A-380! The westbound crossing aboard British Airways (partner of AA) and changing planes in LHR, which is a crazy place ... mixed opinion of this airline I think this one was leaving LHR before us for Miami International "Land of the Giants:" If I'm higher than the pilot on that other A-380, that means I'm upstairs, but in economy at the very back This is 2-4-2 economy because of the domed shape on the upper level; sitting upstairs at a window is not that great because the separation between the window at the inside and the exterior has a huge angled gap, so the views aren't that great ... I prefer the 747 With the sloped sides where they couldn't fit another seat, you get this extra bin beside you upstairs I snuck down the stairs to main level economy before they put up the dog and toddler gate Then, they put up the gate to curb any childlike enthusiasm for exploring A nice way to deplane to remember the flight and the majesty of this super-jumbo