Wha'ts this E190 doing in SNA?
 

Fin 344 YVR-SNA monday night.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7160

Tuesday 4 seperate flights before flying back to YVR.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7161
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7162
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7163
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7164

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/ACA7165

As far as I can tell no passengers were carried.

Looks like 4 test flights.

Why would you go to SNA for 4 test flights?

Speculation on .net is that they are doing noise level tests. Apperently they did the same thing last year with a 319...could be one step closer to AC flying to SNA (which IIRC was granted to AC earlier this year).

IIRC, SNA does not have F.I.S. facilities to accept pre-cleared flights or any other international flights, requiring post-clearance. That would be the next logical step in order to accommodate service by AC.

Most canadian airports likely to have service to SNA already has pre-clearance facilities.

Yeah, AS made that mistake. They started YVR-SNA flights, and after taking off on day one, realized despite being pre-cleared out of YVR they weren't allowed to land in SNA as the arrival airport still needs clearance facilities (just in case they're needed)

Found the reference... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...r-one-day.html

How does it work at DCA? Or LGA?

An agent nominally attached to IAD or JFK hangs out at the nearby airport to perform the F.I.S. functions which, if I understand correctly, means he/she will sit around all day at the donut shop. I assume the solution for SNA will be to detach somebody from LAX.

AC7160-7169 "Test X".

forgot to include...
 

What about AUS, I believe that the AC flight is the only flight not originating in the US for that airport.

Jay

They have some flights to Mexico too: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/austinairport/nonstops.htm