Virgin Australia offers new route for Brisbane

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA A330-323 VH-XFD (CN 1306)    File Photo

Virgin Australia will launch new daily flights to Tokyo's Haneda Airport by March 2020, following a decision by Australia’s International Air Services Commission (IASC) to approve the new services for a period of five years. Virgin will open up a new Airbus A330 route between Brisbane and Tokyo/Haneda and embark on a codeshare alliance with ANA (All Nippon Airways) with onwards domestic connections from ANA's Haneda hub to 38 destinations across Japan, along with reciprocal frequent flyer perks such as earning Velocity points and status credits plus access to ANA lounges.
‘We’re excited that travellers will now be able to make the most of our competitive airfares, award winning service, and fabulous Virgin flair on flights to and from Japan," a Virgin Australia spokesperson tells Executive Traveller. ANA, which already flies to Tokyo from Sydney and Perth, will add a third Australian service to its network, however the IASC says it "is not aware which Australian city ANA would operate its additional frequency to and from Haneda." The IASC's approval is contingent on the Virgin/ANA codeshare arrangement not including "parallel services on any city-pairs." Qantas had previously applied for two routes to Tokyo/Haneda – one from Sydney, and a second from Melbourne – and while the IASC has approved one of those, Qantas has yet to advice which Australian city will be featured. "We’ll confirm whether these flights will operate from Melbourne or Sydney shortly," a Qantas spokesperson told Executive Traveller. A Melbourne-Tokyo/Haneda flight would replace Qantas' service to Tokyo's more distant Narita Airport. The Sydney-Tokyo/Haneda flight would be in addition to the daily Boeing 747 service on that route and allow Qantas to retire the jumbo jet by the end of 2020 with a combination of Airbus A330s and Boeing 787 Dreamliner's, as well as being a daytime flight to complement the current flight's evening departure.


Story sourced from here
https://www.executivetraveller.com/news/qantas-virgin-australia-new-tokyo-flights-march-2020?fbclid=IwAR0A9WmKdL3HKLRYMre6dxL5-AO5T1mfwYFGAHLF84em6xZ0LsXk31PT150

American Airlines launches new flights to New Zealand.

AMERICAN B777-223 N750AN (CN 30259)

This one is for my friends in New Zealand
American Airlines has just announced two new seasonal routes to New Zealand, which will complement their existing seasonal flight from Los Angeles to Auckland. Effective late 2020, American Airlines will begin flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Christchurch, New Zealand (CHC). The Oneworld member is also adding the only direct service between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Auckland, New Zealand (AKL). From 25th October 2020 through to the 26th March 2021, American Airlines will fly to Christchurch 3 times per week using their Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The 787-8 features 20 Business seats and 28 Premium Economy seats, providing additional comfort for the 13-hour flight. LAX to CHC creates unique one-stop connections to the South Island not previously available by any other carrier. American currently operates seasonal service from LAX to AKL and will add new service from DFW next year. Flights will be operated from 25th October 2020 to the 25th March 2021with 787-9 Dreamliner boasting 30 Business seats and 21 Premium Economy seats. New flights from DFW to AKL will enable new one-stop connections to New Zealand from more than 70 cities across the United States. As American enhances its commitment to the region, seasonal LAX to AKL service will resume earlier next year adding three weeks of service to the increasingly popular destination.


LAX–CHC flights will be available for purchase starting 30th November.
Departs Los Angeles at 11:30pm  arriving Christchurch at 9:25am (+2 days)
Departs Christchurch 1:10pm arriving Los Angeles at 6:00am


DFW–AKL flights will be available for purchase starting 30th November.
Departs Dallas at 10:30pm arriving Auckland 7:40am (+2 days)
Departs Auckland at 11:15am arriving Dallas 7:10am

A few hours at Brisbane Airport

This afternoon, as I was on the northside, I decided to spend a few hours at Brisbane airport as I want to collet the 6 special Etihad Airways aircraft sporting the "Choose Well" liveries. Due to the 5.30pm arrival time I can't always get out there to get these when they come in.
I did get one (A6-BLK Choose Japan Livery) a few weeks ago
From what I can find out below are the registrations and liveries on their 787-9's
A6-BLA - CHOOSE SINGAPORE
A6-BLC - CHOOSE USA
A6-BLF - CHOOSE CHINA
A6-BLI - CHOOSE SAUDI ARABIA
A6-BLJ - CHOOSE THAILAND
A6-BLK - CHOOSE JAPAN
A6-BLG - SPECIAL OLYMPICS 2019
A6-BLV - FORMULA 1

ETIHAD B787-9 A6-BLK (CN 39654)

and today I got A6-BLI (Choose Saudi Arabia Livery)

ETIHAD B787-9 A6-BLI (CN 39665)

Below are some of the other photos I took today

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28 MK 70 VH-NUU (CN 11532)

ARRIVING FROM GLADSTONE

SPORTING THE BCNA LIVERY

BREAST CANCER NETWORK AUSTRALIA

QANTAS B737-838 VH-VXS (CN 33725)

ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY

QANTASLINK B717-2K9 VH-NXG (CN 55057)

ARRIVING FROM ALICE SPRINGS

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-QOF (CN 4128)

ARRIVING FROM EMERALD

ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SUPER KING AIR VH-FDS (CN BL-68)

ARRIVING FROM ROCKHAMPTON

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA B737-8FE VH-YFK (CN 41004)

ARRIVING FROM HOBART

TOLL AVIATION B737-476 (CN 24474)

ARRIVING FROM PORT MORESBY

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA B737-7FE VH-VBY (CN 34323)

ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28 MK 70 VH-QQV (CN 11565)

ARRIVING FROM BUNDABERG

ALLIANCE FOKKER F28 MK 100 VH-UQA (CN 11499)

ARRIVING FROM ROCKHAMPTON

SOLOMON AIRLINES A320-211 H4-BUS (CN 0302)

ARRIVING FROM HONIARA

TIGERAIR A320-232 VH-VNR (CN 5900)

ARRIVING FROM CANBERRA

REX SAAB 340B VH-ZRN (CN 340B-393)

ARRIVING FROM TOOWOOMBA (WELL CAMP) 

SINGAPORE AIRLINES A350-941 9V-SHA (CN 254)

ARRIVING FROM SINGAPORE

QANTASLINK DASH 8 Q400 VH-LQL (CN 4449)

ARRIVING FROM HAMILTON ISLAND

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA B737-8FE VH-YID (CN 38709)

ARRIVING FROM HAMILTON ISLAND

QANTAS B737-838 VH-VXA (CN 29551)

ARRIVING FROM SYDNEY

AIR NEW ZEALAND A320-271NEO ZK-NHA (CN 8715)

ARRIVING FROM QUEENSTOWN

JETSTAR A320-232 VH-VGF (CN 4497)

ARRIVING FROM CAIRNS

NAURU AIRLINES B737-319 VH-XNU (CN 25609)

ARRIVING FROM PORT VILA

QANTAS A330-303 VH-QPA (CN 0553)

ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND

AIR NEW ZEALAND A321-271NX ZK-NNE (CN 8799)

ARRIVING FROM AUCKLAND

AIRCALIN A320-232 F-OJSB (CN 2152)

ARRIVING FROM NOUMEA

World's Top Ten Longest Flights

I was thinking about the record breaking Qantas flight from New York to Sydney and it got me thinking about the world's longest flights, so I decided to list them including route - date started - airline and flight number - distance in miles - distance in time and aircraft model used on flight.

SINGAPORE A350-941 9V-SHA (CN 254)



1. Newark - Singapore

11th Oct, 2018

Singapore Airlines SQ 21

15,344 km - 9,534 miles 

18:30–18:45

A350-900

QATAR B777-3DZ A7-BAM (CN 38245)

2. Auckland - Doha

5th Feb, 2017

Qatar Airways QR 92

114,535 km - 9,032 miles 

17:40–18:20

B777-200LR

QANTAS B787-9 VH-ZNG (CN 36240)

3  Perth - London  

24th Mar, 2018

Qantas QF 9

14,499 km - 9,009 miles

17:25 -17-45

B787-9

EMIRATES A380-842 A6-EUU (CN 238)

 

4. Auckland - Dubai

2nd Mar, 2016

Emirates EK 449

14,200 km - 8,823 miles 

17:05–17:20

A380-800

SINGAPORE A350-941 9V-SHF (CN 305)

5. Los Angeles - Singapore

2nd Nov, 2018

Singapore Airlines SQ 35, SQ 37

14,113 km - 8,769 miles 

15:00–15:50

A350-900

UNITED B787-9 N27964 (CN 398)

6. Houston - Sydney

18th Jan 201

United Airlines UA 101

13,834 km - 8,596 miles 

17:30 - 17:50

B787-9

QANTAS A380-842 VH-OQK (CN 063)

7. Dallas/Fort Worth - Sydney

29th Sept, 2014

Qantas QF 8 

13,804 km - 8,577 miles 

16:50–17:05

A380-800

PHILIPPINE A321-271 RP-C9936 (CN 8619)

 

8. New York–JFK - Manila

29th Oct, 2018

Philippine Airlines PR 127

13,712 km - 8,520 miles

16:30 -16:50

A350-900

UNITED B787-9 N19951 (CN 223)

9. San Francisco - Singapore

1st Jun, 2016

United Airlines UA 1, UA 29

13,593 km - 8,446 miles 

16:25–17:20

787-9 

and
23rd Oct, 2016

Singapore Airlines 

SQ 31, SQ 33

13,593 km - 8446 miles

16:30–17:35

A350-900

DELTA B777-232 N704DK (CN 772)

10. Johannesburg -Atlanta

1st June, 2009

Delta Air Lines DL 201

13,581 km (8,439 miles)
16:15–16:55

B777-200LR 

Happy 34th Birthday Emirates

IATA ICAO Callsign EK UAE EMIRATES

AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EDN (CN 056)

The Emirates story starts back in 1985 when they launched operations with just two aircraft, an Airbus A300 B4 and a Boeing 737. The aircraft arrived in Dubai on the 20th October on a wet lease from Pakistan International Airlines. The Royal Family's Dubai Royal Air Wing also provided the airline with two used Boeing 727–200 Adv as a gift.
The airline was founded on the 25th March 1985 but commenced operations later that year on the 25th October 1985. On that day back in 1985 flight EK600 departed Dubai International for Karachi.
Emirates is based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is wholly owned by the government of Dubai's Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport. Emirates flies to more than 154 cities in 81 countries across six continents.
Emirates is the world’s fourth largest airline by scheduled revenue passenger-kilometers flown, the fourth-largest in terms of international passengers carried, and the second-largest in terms of freight tonne kilometers flown.

AIRBUS A380-861 A6-EEL (CN 133)

Earlier this year Emirates was named the 5th World’s Best Airline at Skytrax World Airline Awards. In April this year Emirates continued its winning streak when it took top honours by sweeping five awards at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2019. The airline took home the highly regarded industry accolades for Airline with the Best First Class, Airline with the Best Economy Class, Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East. Recognised for its operational excellence and exceptional products and services – the world’s largest international airline also took home the coveted award of Best Airline Worldwide.
On the 1st March 2016  Emirates launched what was then the worlds longest non-stop commercial flight from Dubai to Auckland using a 777.

BOEING 777-F1H A6-EFM (CN 42231)     CARGO

AIRBUS A38-861 A6-EDO (CN 057)

As of today Emirates fly the world’s biggest fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s with their current fleet being

• Airbus A319-100 x 1
• Airbus A380-800 x 110
• Boeing 777-200 x 10
• Boeing 777-300 x 134 (plus 4 still on order)

Giving Emirates a total of 255 aircraft; below are a some of the different liveries we have seen on their aircraft.

BOEING 777-31H A6-ECF (CN 35574)

RUGBY WORLD CUP ON A6-EEK (CN 132)

ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP ON A6-EEK

UNITED FOR WILDLIFE ON A6-EEQ (CN 141)

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL A6-EEQ

AC MILAN ON A6-EET (CN 142)

UNITED FOR WILDLIFE ON A6-EOM (CN 187)