Where is PH-BVA?
Jan 1, 2019 | 5:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: FlyingBlue
Posts: 73
Where is PH-BVA?
Does anyone know why PH-BVA has been out for so long, since before Christmas? Is the aircraft being repainted into the standard scheme? I wouldn't usually care, but was hoping to get a trip on her in her orange scheme!
Many thanks,
George
Many thanks,
George
Jan 2, 2019 | 5:42 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Zanzibar
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 1,319
I saw it parked at or near the F gate on dec 25th in the morning when I came back from BON. I know as I still want to fly that plane which I not have yet have had the fortune to do. But as it is not active, wondering what it was doing there.
Jan 2, 2019 | 6:09 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; LH Senator; A3 Silver
Posts: 30,617
Given that air travel is highly seasonal, and that airlines adapt their schedules [cutting routes, thinning frequencies, downgauging aircraft] so that supply does not exceed demand by too much [no point flying excess empty seats around the world on the peak-season schedule required for the busiest travel periods], could it not just be as simple as that this is one of the aircraft that is currently surplus to requirements, and enjoying a short break?
Not sure whether KLM handle these fluctuations, but it would seem more manageable to take particular aircraft out of use for a certain period where possible given the scheduling of operations, rather than having a set of rolling breaks of a day or two spread right throughout that aircraft type across the entire fleet. Even more so if maintenance or servicing etc can be performed during that downtime.
Not sure whether KLM handle these fluctuations, but it would seem more manageable to take particular aircraft out of use for a certain period where possible given the scheduling of operations, rather than having a set of rolling breaks of a day or two spread right throughout that aircraft type across the entire fleet. Even more so if maintenance or servicing etc can be performed during that downtime.
Jan 2, 2019 | 10:59 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
My impression is that they just keep on going full steam ahead right through the whole Christmas holiday season. Full flights too, at least in coach.
Johan
Jan 2, 2019 | 12:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Luxembourg
Programs: KLM/AF Platinum for life, IHG Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,027
My guess is that the C check is coming up sometime in January, so they are using it as a reserve until then. With the new 777 and 787 deliveries outpacing the now delayed retirement of the remaining 747's (PH-BFA to BFF already retired) they have the capacity now. The last C check was in early 2016?
Last edited by bankops; Jan 2, 2019 at 12:13 pm Reason: D check to C check
Jan 15, 2019 | 1:03 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS, MSP, FAR
Programs: Flying Dutchman
Posts: 45