1. Boeing 757
Seeing how many of my first flights were during the era of the late 90s/early 2000s US LCC tradition of having a lot of 757s fly transcontinental routes, the 757 is at the top of my list. The livery pictured is of the short lived "Red Rock" National Airlines, a quasi-LCC launched as a joint venture between some of the larger chains of Las Vegas and Reno casinos. It was launched in 1999, only to cease ops 40 months later in Nov. 2002. I've also flown ATA 757s out of MDW to LAX, LAS, and SFO/OAK(?), and an American 757 from SJO to DFW. This video of
a fast, short take off, with the whine of the RB211 at full power, out of MDW makes me reminisce about a lot of family transcon trips.
2. Boeing 717
The era of the 757 rides for me ended about the time the 757 became economically unfeasible for an LCC. Future flights tended to be on AirTran, and while the legroom wasn't the best, I have many more memories of takeoffs from MDW with this other Rolls Royce-powered favorite of mine.
3. Lockheed L1011 Tristar
While I never did get a chance to fly on the L1011, I admire the plane for what it was: a plane with sleek lines, ahead of its time in terms of technology (technology wise, it was miles ahead of the DC-10). Between the DC-10 being pushed out ahead of the L1011 (especially the longer range versions), and the Rolls Royce debacle, the L1011 really got the short end of the stick. All things considered, the L1011 had a good career, even if the DC-10 lasted a couple of years longer on the way to retirement.
4. Lockheed L188 Electra
Once again, another plane I haven't really had the chance to fly. Like its later cousin the Tristar, a great plane that really didn't have much success. Airlines seemed to be reluctant to replace their DC-6s and Viscounts so soon, especially with the advent of the jet age. Early crashes put a nail in the coffin of the program, and orders didn't come in as fast as Lockheed hoped (KLM was the only European airline to order the L188). In short, I think this quote fits both of the last two planes well:
"Lockheed has always built the most technologically advanced aircraft available. Unfortunately, they've never figured out how to make money doing so." 5. Boeing 737NG
Really, I have no faults with any of the 737NG models, of which I've flown on the 737-700 and -800, mostly Southwest, although I have flown on an American 738 once. I like the looks of the plane, and my rides on them have been comfortable.