Which Plane Option Would You Choose!?

If you don't mind spending the night in Frankfurt, and you prefer those planes, and you are uneasy about the connection times on Choice #2, it sounds like you've already made up your mind and just want confirmation that it's not a dumb idea to take more time to get home.

It's not. Do what makes you most comfortable.

Thanks for the vote, Lane! The company/plane used aside I wouldn't ever book a 2- hour connection either overseas or returning to the US. Everyone has different risk tolerance, of course.
I was surprised to see Air France offer a one hour connection from the US. onward into Europe? I do remember once landing somewhere in Europe and the next flight was literally at the adjacent gate.
Anyway, I'm leaning towards a scheduled nice relaxing overnight vs a stress-filled connection and boarding a Max 8 as an already nervous flyer.
But maybe I'm overlooking something!
More thanks!

Which Airbus for the long flight? What is the flight number? I see a lot of Boeing planes (747 and 777) to the west coast airports from Frankfurt for the Lufthansa flights. But that is right now; maybe they switch to an Airbus for next year.

I wouldn’t want a 737 across the pond in any case.

I won't fly in a 737 so I'd go for one. I love overnights on my connections anyway.

Out of curiosity, what are the origin and destination airports for these flights?

If the 737 makes you nervous, then go with the overnight layover.

From where are you flying? I am surprised that there is a 737 on a United transatlantic route. Last year the only transatlantic route where United operated a 737 was Newark to the Azores.

Thanks, All! The flight is a return to SEA from Marrakesh- there were also some options with Air Morroc to Lisbon, then onwards with Iberia, but with horrible recent reviews.
The flight is in January so hoping they don't swap to a 737! I've often done Amsterdam non-stop. It is very long- so the idea of a planned quiet overnight hotel is appealing.

Where are you flying from? Is United/Lufthansa cheaper than a Delta flight? Delta doesn't fly the Max8 which always makes me feel better. . .

Thanks, more! I did a one-way with Delta/Air France and Airbus :) but that was SEA to Casablanca through CDG. For the return Delta and AirFrance had more stops and were more expensive....
I also tried multi city as an option repeatedly but kept getting the same combos. I even tried getting to a somewhat major hub within Europe from Marrakesh and that didn't work either.
Sometimes I thought: if only I just used Orbitz and paid them the first, super cheap fare shown and never worried or even checked what kind of plane. But then I guess I wouldn't be me :)

Why the lack of love for 737s? I wish I could remember planes and airports better -as many do- but they tend to get lost in the sauce of my addled memory. Just curious. Thanks

The 737 max does not have a great history. . .
I've flown Delta to/from both Lisbon and Madrid. I'm sure you've checked routing thru those cities? I'd take multiple connectings before I'd do a 15 hour layover, and I do a lot to avoid the 737max

Not sure what day in January you're flying, but the United flight Marrakech-Newark appears to be on a 767-300, if that makes any difference to you. Still the MAX to Seattle, though.

For me, I'd just want to get home. I might have an overnight in EWR if I miss my connection, but I definitely have an overnight routing through FRA. And, at this point, the worst thing about the MAX vs. Airbus is seat width. Again, for me, I'd go with EWR. But, this all comes down to personal preference.

You are in luck!!! The Seattle flight is an A340. Nice to have 4 engines across the Atlantic.

Hi, I don't like 6 AM flights and long travel days, so I often leave someplace like Barcelona mid-morning and spend an overnight at the Sheraton in Frankfurt. Depending on the time I get to Frankfurt, I might drop my bags, take the train into town and explore an area I've never seen. The only hassle might be checking and rechecking bags, depending on how you are ticketed.

Wow, so many helpful responses, thank you! And plane manufacturer aside, it's interesting the wide variety of travel preferences!
I have an interesting context for Boeing, having spent my life til early adulthood in Detroit, from the cruising heyday of the '50s and 60s to the Pinto and other woes and then the competition from Japan...when arriving in Seattle at that time, Boeing was everything and I remember flying Boeing planes on Alaska Air and feeling very NW proud and- very safe!
Not all the third party sites, I noticed, tell you the type of plane- even if I did a trial "select" to purchase.
And I never paid that much attention, myself, until that string of issues, thinking more about the carrier than the model of the plane.
Lastly, it's incredible how much information we as consumers can sniff out for ourselves, without a travel agent or airline phone rep gatekeeper!
I really appreciate all the insight and suggestions, thanks more!

In the past I have flown from the west coast with Lufthansa, ie SFO to Frankfurt, obviously not my favourite nor is it even comfortable

sometimes but it's non-stop for 11 hours, overnight, Basic Economy. What can you do? I just put up with it and look forward to landing before 10 AM. Now I fly United instead .

The first thing I try to avoid is airlines that don't pay their pilots well and thus have a bunch of newbies.

I'm a bit suspicious about Discover, which at least used to have some sort of connection to Eurowings. Before a name change, Eurowings was "Germanwings". That's the airline one of whose co-pilots locked the pilot out of the cockpit and flew a plane load of people into an Alp, intentionally.

Wikipedia article on crash of Germanwings Flight 9525

Have you posted your question in "Beyond Europe"? That's where I go when I have questions about Morocco.

Thank you, Lindy! Yes, the Beyond Europe Forum is so helpful and I really appreciate the RS company ((and Webmaster :) maintaining that resource.
I posted this query here under Transportation because I am always in awe of how much people know about planes (or trains, etc)!
At a certain point I have to acknowledge I can't research myself away from just...fate. Like a drunk pilot or random engine failure. At home if not super careful each time I could absolutely fall down the tiny vintage 1800s stairs. Then, out the door and I share city streets on a daily basis with many who are suffering from mental illness and living on the street. (Some of the dogs, not always leashed, are really scary, too.) And on and on in daily life...
If FlightAware shows a flight (regardless of airline) frequently delayed by 1/2 hour or more, it doesn't mean I wouldn't choose it, but I would certainly consider the fact for connection times.
It's been rare to have two options show up as per my initial query! I was assuming it came down to my overall plane anxiety and travel style for preference, but maybe there was another consideration I was missing.
More thanks!

One other thing to consider, the airlines can and will change the equipment on any route at any time.

Re: "on United. A 737 from Europe to EWR":
I wasn't aware any 737 had the range to fly from Europe to EWR. Brand new A321neos for United are being ferried from the Airbus plant in Hamburg via XFW-EDI-BGR-TPA (i.e. Hamburg-Edinburgh-Bangor-Tampa) and those have a longer range than the 737 Max 8's.

Thanks, Alan! I knew there were experts here! Actually, I rechecked and it's UA 627 (Boeing 767-300).
But then definitely a Max 8 and two hour connection to SEA. But with clearing customs and the transfer I'm concerned it's not enough time...my concern about the Max8 aside, which is a big concern!
That's cool United will be receiving those new planes!
More thanks!

737s do not fly overseas routes. they don't have the fuel capacity.

Lufthansa/United code share routes to the NY area (JFK, EWR), Washington Dulles (IAD), Charlotte (CLT), Raleigh (RDU) and other locales. Also, Singapore Air flies the FRA - JFK route, where you can then pick up a flight to your final destination. If that's SEA, then there are non-stop flights. If need be, buy the international route on an airline different than the U.S. route. It's often cheaper. I don't mind Boeing aircraft; not a fan of the Max version, mostly due to comfort. You can also fly out of Munich non-stop to the U.S. on Lufthansa/United. The aircraft used on the Lufthansa/United pairings are generally either 747, 777, or Airbus A350-900. There may be the occasional 787 thrown in as well. I am personally not a fan of the 787 - not on a long-haul flight. Delta is also a good choice, but the majority of of my international travel is Lufthansa, United, Singapore, and American. Also look at British Air as an option. BTW...if you have Global Entry, you'll breeze through any U.S. entry point, even JFK. The best thing to do is to find a flight that will get you as far west to your final destination as you can. I know there are flights from FRA to Denver as an example.

While I'm flying non-stop to Munich from an airport closer to home in a couple of weeks, I have generally purchased a ticket to NYC the day before my international flight. Then stayed at the TWA hotel at JFK and casually made my way to my international flight the next afternoon. It takes a lot of stress off wondering, hoping, praying that I'll make the international connection (I missed my flight to Frankfurt once - never again).

For the return portion, I've gone to FRA a day or 2 before the trip back to the U.S. I stay at the Hilton or Hilton Garden Inn at the airport. Then have dinner at the Paulaner restaurant right inside the airport complex. Again, it saves angst when it comes to ensuring I don't miss my flight. BTW...if you stay at one of the hotels (there's also a Sheraton) in the FRA airport complex, if you have a lot of luggage, go to the airport and get a luggage cart and take it to your hotel room. This way, you're ready to go the next day.

BTW...Lufthansa flies non-stop from FRA to SEA.

Good luck

Are those the only one-stop options that showed up in your search? If you would prefer to fly One
World airlines rather than Star Alliance, it should be possible to do this on British Airways for both flights. Marrakech to London Gatwick onBA Euroflyer (an A321), arriving at Gatwick at 16:50, overnight in London or at Heathrow, then BA 53 (a Boeing 777) morning flight or BA 49 (a Boeing 787) afternoon flight direct to Seattle.

For some reason this combination does not show up in an online search on British Airways. They offer only next-day connections on American Airlines with another stop in the US on the way, usually Dallas. Or Iberia to Madrid, again with another stop in the US before arriving in Seattle. But maybe it is possible to book one of the direct Seattle flights if you call.

A number of narrow body flights crossed the Atlantic Summer of 2024- both Airbus and Boeing:

https://simpleflying.com/25-transatlantic-boeing-737-routes-summer-2024/

Another thankful post for the time you've taken to respond with your own experiences and/or insight.
When it became clear there was no easy direct option from Marraketch to SEA (besides the United Max 8 from NJ that prompted my query here!) I spent time looking at other direct to SEA options from Europe.:
Amsterdam, Netherlands Yes- but problematic flight choices to AMS from Casablanca
Dublin, Ireland. Too many stops
Frankfurt, Germany. Yes- my best option w overnight 15 hr layover
Helsinki, Finland. Too many stops
Istanbul, Turkey. No! Plus too many stops anyway
London, England. No- two stops to get there
Paris, France. Yes for the way to Morocco, no for return ( 2 stops w LHR as Lola found)
Reykjavík, Iceland - have often used this choice but too many stops
Note- Iberia to Madrid showed as a viable option with transfers through Lisbon but the recent reviews about delays and the size/chaos of Lisbon as a transfer changed my mind. Maybe someone had a positive experience?
More thanks!

As markcw said above: the 737-MAX series has the range to do transatlantic flight.

Icelandair has pivoted almost exclusively to the MAX-8 for their flights between Keflavik and North American destinations as they retire their 757-200 and 757-300 fleet.

And the Canadian carriers are going gangbusters with MAX-8 and MAX-9 aircraft on long-haul transatlantic routes.

The Airbus A321-LR (and the newly-certified A321-XLR) will be doing a lot of the transatlantic workload for many airlines that can't sustain a widebody for certain routes. Aer Lingus has mostly moved to the A321-LR for routes between North America and Ireland. JetBlue uses the LR for their NYC-LHR route.

I get the trepidation with the MAX variants, though statistically it's still a very safe aircraft (as is Boeing's 787 platform). But if it means the difference between arriving refreshed and relaxed versus not, then the Frankfurt connection may be the way to go. Either that or go through two different carriers to mix-and-match the trip to your wants.

Good luck!

You are already willing to stay overnight in Europe on the return, yes?

Air France has a non-stop Marrakesh to CDG - it looks like it may not operate every day, or the same time every day.

So book a multi-city ticket: 1 SEA to Marrakesh through CDG. 2 Marrakesh to CDG - may need to play with the day - I see an afternoon flight - stay overnight - or extend a day or two in Paris. 3 CDG to SEA.

At some point you need to decide from the options that are available, rather than the one you wish for that may not exist. And this is a case where a travel agent could be useful - they may be able to assemble a ticket that isn't available online.

Personally, I would be more concerned with on the ground risks in Morocco - as minimal as they may be - rather than the equipment I'm flying on.

Markcw, "I would be more concerned with on the ground risks in Morocco." Would you address this more thoroughly, please?

Thank you, again for all the helpful responses! I've just booked my choice #1 (Airbus, with overnight in Frankfurt that's the included layover on the Lufthansa ticket).
After all the suggestions I checked again what destination airports in Europe would work if I built my own series of one-way flights. The issue then becomes, as has been discussed as a caution here on the Forum, the rebooking responsibility being on the passenger.
In my case, throw winter travel into the mix for delays on single tickets, although anything can always happen. I think that's what was meant by worrying about my safety in Morocco vs the sky, per markcw? It's a valid point for anywhere, really- I mentioned in an earlier response about risks I have daily whether climbing a slippery narrow staircase at home or walking on errands that always entails street people- and two busy streets!
Which circles back to whether or not to avoid a particular airline or aircraft, my original question. Your responses have been so helpful, I'm thankful :)

The all accident rate was 0.80 per million sectors in 2023 (one accident for every 1.26 million flights), an improvement from 1.30 in 2022 and the lowest rate in over a decade. This rate outperformed the five-year (2019-2023) rolling average of 1.19 (an average one accident for every 880,293 flights).
The fatality risk improved to 0.03 in 2023 from 0.11 in 2022 and 0.11 for the five years, 2019-2023. At this level of safety, on average a person would have to travel by air every day for 103,239 years to experience a fatal accident.
IATA member airlines and IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) registered airlines experienced no fatal accident in 2023.
A single fatal accident occurred in 2023, on a turboprop aircraft, resulting in 72 fatalities. This is reduced from five fatal accidents in 2022 and an improvement on the five-year average (2019-2023) which was five.

https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-02-28-01/

I would worry more about what brand of toaster i have and the model of auto that takes you to the airport.

Lindy - if you spend time in the Italy forum, you are well aware of the constant drumbeat of concerns over pickpockets, whether it's safe to stay near a train station, walk home alone at night, tourist scams, etc. Those are the general risks of foreign travel that I had in mind - not anything specific to Morocco. You are more likely to be killed in an auto accident a few miles from home than you are on an international flight. And in the context of recent severe storms in the UK and USA, there is the risk of the effect of your carbon footprint contributing to climate change.

The BA via London then direct to SEA from London (suggested by Lola) shows up, a very, very long way down the page-keep on scrolling down the page.

Yes you would need to self transfer (by the direct Nat Ex or Oxford Bus Airlink service) from LGW to LHR of course.

Just for clarity, there is a difference between the 737 and the 737Max and variants. The 737Max is the one that has had some accidents. The 737max does have the range to go over the ocean. Delta flies the 737, it does not have the 737max in its fleet.

I need to second the above comment to land in the US as far west as possible if your end point is SEA. I'm in PDX, and I've found that final 5 1/2 to 6 hours from the east coast to the west coast is Just. Shoot. Me. Now.

More thanks! It's interesting how many different approaches we take to long travel journeys! The non-stop choice I had from Frankfurt (or, sort of Amsterdam but it was single tickets) won out, brand of plane aside.

Granted it's hours of sitting but ending up in, say San Francisco or Salt Lake City or somewhere for me is worse. I feel like I'm almost there, but not really!
Also, as a nervous flyer the take offs (more than the landings, but still) are so stressful for me I do better with as few as I can pull off.
And for those who posted reminders about life having risk (as I said earlier, just at home before going out the door!) it's totally true.
It would make an interesting new thread about how we mitigate climate impacts to our discretionary travel! I hope someone starts that!
More thanks for your helpful insight and advice!