There’s something to be said for paying a little more, and booking a flight on a non-prehistoric flight machine. This particular model, an Airbus 310, reminded me of flights to Germany when I was a child: Ashtrays (including a burned-out one in the armrest next to me) offered a throwback to the days when smokers simply could not get through a 7-hour flight without a cigarette, and the dilapidated paper dispenser in the washroom hanging of the stall had to be precariously balanced between one’s arm and the wall while one was doing one’s business. The age of the aircraft also manifested itself in our delayed departure: The 20:45 flight did not leave until 23:06, thanks to some work needing to be done on the right engine!!!
Happily, learning to fly in a Cessna from the 1970s has me well-attuned to old crap, so this flight was not as jarring as it might be to non-would-be-pilots. And, we landed in Lisbon in one piece, if somewhat tired, so the A310 still works. Despite the busted up ashtrays, engines and lavatory paper dispensers.