ozstamps

IIRC UA 777's do not have the certified range for OZ.

UA did run 777 to AKL IIRC til they stopped the service a couple years back.

ozstamps

You bet. Victorville (VCV) is the place to go looking.

http://www.airfleets.net/flottecie/U...tored-b747.htm

As I posted 4 x UA livery 747/400 (long sold by lease holders) have been getting a desert suntan there for years now.

airliners.net has photos of all the 747s gathering dust there if anyone is interested.

number_6

fwiw, Boeing has recently booked 16 unidentified 787 orders. Maybe related, maybe not. Seems some airlines are wanting order positions without tipping their hand.

NM

The problem with any stored 744s is that they are due for D checks before they can be used again, which is an expensive and time consuming exercise. Still cheaper and faster than a new purchase of course.

I expect part of the reason DJ is not currently operating the route is the logistics of sourcing the correct aircraft type and crews etc.

Of course one option is for Virgin Blue to operate VS aircraft under a wet lease agreement using the Pacific Blue brand. As has been noted previously, Virgin Blue is unable to use the "Virgin" name for operations outside Australia and hence the use of Pacific Blue for their regional international flights. But I expect the Pacific Blue name could be used by Virgin Blue to operate current VS aircraft such as the A340-600 they fly LHR-HKG-SYD, in VS colours using a DJ flight number with VS codeshares.

Traveloguy

Are you stating that DJ operates the 346 flight from LHR to SYD (via HKG)?

sxc

I think there could also be barriers here as DJ would then need to get LHR slots....or can VS use their discretion as to whom they transfer their slots to?

RickyT

No, no. VS (Virgin Altantic) operates the LHR->HKG->SYD flights with no codesharing with DJ or other airlines.

I think what NM was suggesting that Pacific Blue (or whatever the new entity is called) can use VS's aircraft and operate OZ-US with its own designator (or DJ) with VS 'sharing' the flight.

thadocta

I doubt that VS would be allowed to place their code on the flight. Codeshares are normally subject to the same traffic restrictions as normal flights, and since VS do not have traffic rights AU-US, they do not have the ability to codeshare on these flights.

Now a "wet lease" is another matter entirely, there is nothing to stop VS from wet leasing (or even damp leasing) an aircraft to DJ to enable DJ to commence services.

Dave

Traveloguy

Are you sure about that? Remember both AA and BA codeshare on intra-Oz flights yet neither have applied for nor been granted intra-Australian traffic rights. UA also codeshares on DJ flights, howver I do remember when they were granted temporary intra-Australian traffic rights during the AN crisis.

thadocta

The AA and BA codes can not be purchased on their own, only as part of an itinerary involving an AA or BA code out of Australia.

Quite a while back (when QF and NZ were codesharing last time around) QF operated SYD-LAX-SFO, and the NZ (might have still been TE then) code was placed on the SYD-LAX flight, but could not be placed on the LAX-SFO sector as NZ did not (at that stage) have traffic rights to SFO.

Dave

Globaliser

So no restriction in Oz like the one in the US to the effect that a US airline may only offer services on N- registered aircraft? Are there any other regulatory hoops, like the UK ones that require the airline to show that there is no other viable EU source of the capacity?

State fan

IF new service is announced in a couple of months, what's your guess on how quickly flights would begin?

State fan

IF new service is announced in a couple of months, what's your guess on when bookings and actual service would begin?

QF NB

I'm guessing Virgin Blue will create a new entity purely for American and Asian operations. I've heard the name "Planet Blue" has been thrown around, although not entirely sure this would be used. Nevertheless, the name is very catchy.

I doubt they'd use the Pacific Blue brand, as it would likely cause confusion, especially having a full service operation to the United States/Asia and a LCC (well NWC) operation trans-Tasman and into the Pacific Islands. I can see a new entity being created here as I'm sure they'd like to differentiate their product.

The leasing solution sounds plausible and would allow for Virgin Blue to commence operations sooner. A damp lease would be good, as the lessee in this case, Virgin Blue, would use their own Cabin Crew and would lease aircraft (A346/744) from the lessor, Virgin Atlantic (although, I'm not 100% sure on how operations like this function and their restrictions, so don't flame or bite me).

I wouldn't be surprised if we see a mid-2007 commencement of services, although this could likely be delayed by a number of reasons.

IIRC, Virgin Blue's (Pilots) EBA results should be out soon (may already be out), so I'd imagine that may give some clues as to the nature/technical aspect of this new operation.

Hopefully we'll hear something soon. Be nice to have a large Embraer order and US operations announced at the same time!

Cheers
(grr to database errors )

NM

Indeed. VS to operate LHR-HKG-SYD as they do now, and DJ to operate SYD-SFO, and Virgin America or VS to operate SFO-LHR. Virgin America has setup their USA office in SFO.