[GrifMD]

I've only flown on 747-400s with BA and Qantas, and I've found them to be terribly loud. I've heard the 747-8s were a little quieter, but would you really say that would be better than a 787, A350, or A380?

I too have heard that the A220 is a fantastic plane. I'm looking forward to Qantas flying them.

[jacquesm]

I've never flown an A380 so I can't really comment on that and yes, I much prefer the 747 on longer routes over 787, A350 vs 747 would be more or less a wash, noise is mostly a function of where you're sitting in the plane so you have a bit of control over that (and these days: very good noise cancelling headphones).

[usr1106]

The A220 emits very strange engine noises in some phases of the flight. Personally I must say I find them very unpleasant. My wild guess it's the gear fan.

It doesn't help to know that their have quite some engine problems. Although objectively I doubt the noises and engine failures are related.

[thecosmicfrog]

You mean the "whale song"? It's just a quirk of the Pratt and Whitney PW1000G series at low power settings. The same engine family is fitted to new Airbus A320neos and makes the same sound. Examples:

https://youtu.be/Eeq4rYQUozY

[usr1106]

Ah, I didn't know it's called whale song, but yes that's what I mean. Low power setting might be correct, I think you hear that typically in approach phase. I have been flying with many types planes from Vickers propeller, Caravelle, 727, L-1011, 717 and its predecessors to 747-8, A350, Dreamliner, but I never remember hearing a sound making me feel so uncomfortable. Despite the fact that the old ones were uncomfortably loud. After over 40 years of flying I nearly thought, now I can understand people suffering from flying anxiety.

Don't remember hearing it on a A320 neo, but I guess they come with 2 engine options?