cavemanzk

Was thinking this afternoon that its not long till the 733/744/763 are all from from the NZ fleet.

Does anyone know what the approximate years are for being complete gone?
733 - 2015?
744 - 2014?
767 -2014?

waterwingsNZ

These are rough dates and could change.

744 last quarter of 2014.
733 probably second half of 2016.
763..well...to be replaced by the 787s but I've not actually heard a new exit date for the fleet with rumours swirling they may stay longer still. Based on current entry dates of the 787s, couldn't be earlier really than 2016.

All aircraft slated for retirement bar three 733s (NGP, NGR, SJC) are owned by the company giving some flexibility.

cavemanzk

My understanding is that there is 2x 77W and 3x 789 coming next year, so that would have a bit of an impact on the 767s role. Maybe back to peak hour 767 runs like they did with the 762 at the end.

waterwingsNZ

The two additional 77W aircraft are for growth and not replacing anything. The first two 789 aircraft replace the last 744s and the third gives a net gain of one aircraft.

Probably see the 763s come off the Asian routes as soon as possible but they are likely to stay doing the Aussie and Pacific routes for a while yet. Ownership costs are reasonable, operating costs not bad either helped by the addition of the winglets. You are not likely to see them doing peak hour domestic runs.

pbl22

Pity, would be awesome, ability to snag business seats, etc.

Xiaotung

Perhaps we will see NZ use 767's on another leisure destination in Asia such as Phuket?

Thai-Kiwi

744 already used for HKT, so a reasonable idea when these finally go to use 763. See https://grabaseat.co.nz/secure/getaways

Markhm

Snip!

Thai-Kiwi

[snip]

Reason077

Really? I'd be surprised if they're not used on existing routes like SFO and YVR.

waterwingsNZ

Possible but I'd suggest frequency growth is more likely on those routes especially considering that when refitted, the product will be consistent across the 777 fleet (200 and 300).

If they were used to say SFO and YVR, my original point still holds, upgauging is still a form of growth. My statement was made with reference to the original post; the additional 77W frames are not to replace any existing aircraft in the fleet (the first 787s are earmarked for that, replacing the last of the 744s). Christopher Luxon was asked about these additional frames during the interim results press conference. Word for word almost "these are for growth."

My personal opinion (or maybe deluded fantasy) is that we will see a new route that requires the 77W due to the greater ETOPS range it has. The 772 is limited to 180 ETOPS as will be the 787 be on delivery. The 77W is currently out to 240 with 330 minutes likely in the near future.

pbl22

And what does your fantasy have as the new route? GIG? IAH?

waterwingsNZ

Rio or Sao Paulo is what I would like to see. A competitive product and reasonable connections and I think you could attract some Asia-South America traffic despite distances being slightly longer than through North America. Being at the end of the world, we are in a poor location for longhaul hubbing generally but this could be an exception.

Europe bound traveller's could also use GRU as a transit point with numerous connections available on current codeshare partners (I am not well read on traffic rights in this region however so should add that as a caveat).

I've read a few posts on this board that share my sentiment so my wish is hardly original. Just have to wait and see if it is shared by the powers above.

cavemanzk

Another option is the 77W will replace the 772 on some routes and the 772 will be used to start new routes.

waterwingsNZ

Well got to give it to you. You were on the money. Press release floating around today which says amongst other things, the extra 77W aircraft will be used to SFO.

My pick is now the 789s will go to PVG, NRT and KIX first. Maybe a new route once all the 772s are upgraded?