The Excelsior class has always been a personal favorite of mine in Star Trek.

Same here.

Um... What's the difference?

The saucer section is identical however the main hull has been expanded and the interior re-purposed. You can also see how the torpedo tubes have been sacrificed in order to allow for two forward facing bay doors which line up with rear facing doors presumably to create a through deck hanger similar to what was done conically with the Antares class Bajorian carrier. I would assume the federation has a carrier type as well due to the use of peregrine fighters but i don't think we ever got to see it on screen.

Now I see! This seems like it would've been used in the Dominion War right?

I don't think the design is cannon but based on when the excelsior was used it could be at any point TMP era onward.

Awesome

Thanks.

Welcome

I wouldn't want to try a hands-on landing aboard this ship...

Agreed.

It's either autoland or kiss the smallcraft goodbye...

Upon further reflection, there’s only one workable scenario for a hands-on landing aboard this ship: you go in via the original shuttle bay.