Are planes quieter than they were decades ago? (Paris, regulations, airlines)

[rlrl]

I recently began flying in 2008 after 30 years, last flight 1978 when i was a teen.

2008-after flights were all Airtran 717's to Atlanta

last flight in 78 was on Spantax Airlines, before that Delta, Eastern

are commercial flights today quieter in terms of less engine noise than decades ago or is it about the same?

Airtran advertises on their website that their planes are quiet but i might guess that all the airlines advertise that

[sunsprit]

Many substantial advances in the jet engine technology since that era you last flew have resulted in quieter, more efficient engines. Yes, they are much quieter now.

[Sage Advice]

Originally Posted by rlrl

are commercial flights today quieter in terms of less engine noise than decades ago or is it about the same?

In the interest of protecting the public, the FAA has over many years passed increasingly stricter noise regulations that have mandated quieter aircraft. The current rules are commonly referred to as Stage 4. See: https://www.federalregister.gov/arti...oise-standards

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by rlrl

I recently began flying in 2008 after 30 years, last flight 1978 when i was a teen.

2008-after flights were all Airtran 717's to Atlanta

last flight in 78 was on Spantax Airlines, before that Delta, Eastern

are commercial flights today quieter in terms of less engine noise than decades ago or is it about the same?

Airtran advertises on their website that their planes are quiet but i might guess that all the airlines advertise that

Heavens yes! There's no comparison between a 757 and a DC-3!

On the other hand....sit in the back of an MD-80 and you'll be lucky if you can hear for the next week.

[emcee squared]

Originally Posted by stillkit

Heavens yes! There's no comparison between a 757 and a DC-3!

On the other hand....sit in the back of an MD-80 and you'll be lucky if you can hear for the next week.

And your window seat wont have a view either.

[North Beach Person]

Yes, probably as a result of the military developing quieter engines and the technology transferred over to the civilian market. You could hear a F4 Phantom before you could see it, F14 Tomcats were quieter (especially after the engine upgrades were done), a F18 Hornet is right on top of you before you hear it, especially the newer Super Hornets.

[Chava61]

Well it also depends what type of engines the airplane has. The newer jet engine planes are quieter than the relatively new turboprop engine planes as well as the smaller piston engine planes.