Originally Posted by
LETTERBOY
Just because you haven't had them doesn't mean other people haven't had them. I am unwilling to take the chance of having one.
Just to be clear: The likelihood of a fuel stop is not connected to flying the 757 TATL, it's simply a matter of flying any aircraft too close to its maximum range.
So, for example, there are also fuel stops occasionally necessary for certain variants of the 737 or A320 flying transcon flying westbound when winter headwinds are particularly strong.
Qantas currently flies the world's longest flight, DFW-SYD operated with the 747-400 ER, a special variant of the 744 which has additional fuel tanks.
It has also occasionally had to divert for fuel.
But when you're flying DUB- or SNN-EWR. the distance flown is so far below the 752's maximum range that the likelihood of a fuel stop is close to nil.
Also, just because you're flying a wide body with much greater range doesn't mean you won't need to make a fuel stop, even flying TATL, because airlines only load as much fuel as they believe will be necessary to complete the flight and occasionally conditions change en route.
So, there have also occasionally been fuel stops TATL for 767's, 777's and 747's.
As far as flying from Ireland, though, the 752's range is such that, even with the most extreme headwinds ever recorded, the plane could fly to EWR without ever needing to stop for fuel.
Finally, planes can divert for reasons other than running out of fuel, and that applies to any type of aircraft.