777ER From New Zealand, joined Dec 2003, 10956 posts, RR: 25 Posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 9526 times:
Welcome to the very first Pacific Islands thread. Since the New Zealand Aviation Threads are now getting a fair amount of posts about Pacific Island services, I've decided its time the Pacific Islands got their very own thread.
The Pacific Island Threads cover the Islands of Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tahiti, Vanuata, Niue and the Soloman Islands (If I've missed any Islands then please update this list)
Airlines that serve the Pacific Islands are : NZ, DJ, FJ and Air Vanuata
So to start this thread off, here are some recent news/topics discussed in NZ AAviation Threads about the Islands:
- TN is changing some of their LAX services to LAS services
- Air Pacific's fleet of B744s are getting an upgrade in SIN and UA are providing a B744 and crew while each of FJ's B744s are away.
- NZ is adding an extra Niue service on December 23rd using a Y configured B733. From early December NZ is replacing their once weekly friday night service to Niue with a day time Niue service each Sunday
- NZ should replace its AKL-Pacific Islands-LAX services with a WLG - Pacific Islands - LAX and CHC - Pacific Islands - LAX
- FJ is cancelling its HNL - YVR services
- FJ is adding a NAN - OOL using B738s
- Pacific Blue (DJ) is adding daily SYD-NAN flights using B738s
- Polynesian Blue (DJ) has announced a record profit
Lets take off and head to the beautiful Pacific Islands with the Pacific Islands Aviation Thread #1
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HAL From United States of America, joined Jan 2002, 2342 posts, RR: 54 Reply 3, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 9504 times:
I'll bite! And I have a question for anyone who may know. What is the best way to get to Noumea from the United States? Through Tahiti? Through Sydney? Who flys there and from where? Thanks for your answers.
HAL
One smooth landing is skill. Two in a row is luck. Three in a row and someone is lying.
PRGLY From Czech Republic, joined Dec 2004, 494 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 9505 times:
suggest to add Kiribati, Tuvalu, Tonga, French Polynesia, Palau, Marshall Islands, Mariana Islands and New Caledonia to the list of relevant islands,
Also airlines like Solomon Island Airlines, VT, SB, Air Kiribati, Marshall Island Airlines.
Smi0006 From Australia, joined Jan 2008, 1211 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 9409 times:
Quoting TG992 (Reply 2): The FJ crew have apparently been told the 744s will be away for 55 days each.
Lol Just posted to ask what sort of upgrades were being preformed, but a little research on my behalf made that irrelevant lol!
The following was found on the FJ site:
Upon completion of the refurbishment, customers will enjoy a fresh new cabin with an upgraded digital inflight entertainment system, renewed galleys and lavatories whilst seat covers, Carpets and curtains will be replaced. In addition, the entire aircraft will be re-painted and have new interior lighting to brighten up the interior and exterior.
Air Pacific's Managing Director and CEO, John Campbell said "the Boeing 747 aircraft are very popular so it is important that we continue to meet customers expectations -- not just in the delivery of service but also by maintaining a high quality product. With the two aircraft due for their scheduled maintenance in Singapore we decided that it was the ideal time to refresh the aircraft".
During the scheduled maintenance period, Air Pacific will lease a United Airlines Boeing 747-400 aircraft to ensure schedule integrity is maintained. The flights will be flown by United Airlines pilots and serviced by United Airlines cabin crew who will be assisted by two Air Pacific cabin crew on each flight. Inflight amenities including audio and visual entertainment along with inflight catering will be provided by United Airlines.
Does this mean new business seats? and AVOD or simply an upgraded digital loop?
Are there any plans to upgrade the 767 in the same manner?
soo many Qs
I'm surprised that they are being done in sin I know that at least one is an ex-SQ bird but I would have thought that with QFs stake they would have been done in KUL at the Mas/QF joint venture facility there are in AVV.Just surprise not a criticism lol!
Glad to hear they are upgrading their lounge in NAN it really needed it!
Air Pacific’s 747 Aircraft To Be Upgraded
25 September 2008
Air Pacific’s Boeing 747-400 aircraft will be refreshed and upgraded with the first aircraft undergoing refurbishment as part of a planned maintenance program in Singapore during October and November, 2008. Air Pacific’s second Boeing 747-400 aircraft will receive the same extensive refurbishment during scheduled maintenance in February and March, 2009.
Upon completion of the refurbishment, customers will enjoy a fresh new cabin with an upgraded digital inflight entertainment system, renewed galleys and lavatories whilst seat covers, Carpets and curtains will be replaced. In addition, the entire aircraft will be re-painted and have new interior lighting to brighten up the interior and exterior.
Air Pacific’s Managing Director and CEO, John Campbell said “the Boeing 747 aircraft are very popular so it is important that we continue to meet customers expectations – not just in the delivery of service but also by maintaining a high quality product. With the two aircraft due for their scheduled maintenance in Singapore we decided that it was the ideal time to refresh the aircraft”.
During the scheduled maintenance period, Air Pacific will lease a United Airlines Boeing 747-400 aircraft to ensure schedule integrity is maintained. The flights will be flown by United Airlines pilots and serviced by United Airlines cabin crew who will be assisted by two Air Pacific cabin crew on each flight. Inflight amenities including audio and visual entertainment along with inflight catering will be provided by United Airlines.
The United Airlines aircraft will be in operation from 28th September 2008 for almost two months and customers will continue to be offered the choice of Pacific Voyager (Economy Class) and Tabua Class (Business Class) throughout this period.
Air Pacific’s Tabua Club Members and Qantas Frequent Flyer Members will continue to receive their full program benefits.
Issued by:
Air Pacific Executive Office
Air Pacific Limited
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Ha763 From United States of America, joined Jan 2003, 3373 posts, RR: 7 Reply 10, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9369 times:
Quoting HAL (Reply 3): I'll bite! And I have a question for anyone who may know. What is the best way to get to Noumea from the United States? Through Tahiti? Through Sydney? Who flys there and from where? Thanks for your answers.
Probably the easiest from HNL would be through NRT, where you can do a same day connect on to Air Caledonie, who flies NRT-NOU 5 days a week. You can also do a same day connect on the return.
VHVXB From Australia, joined Apr 2006, 5514 posts, RR: 24 Reply 11, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9355 times:
Quoting Smi0006 (Reply 7): I'm surprised that they are being done in sin I know that at least one is an ex-SQ bird but I would have thought that with QFs stake they would have been done in KUL at the Mas/QF joint venture facility there are in AVV.Just surprise not a criticism lol!
I believe SQ have leased the 2 744s out FJ hence why they are carrying out refurbishment program
NZ747 From New Zealand, joined Dec 2004, 957 posts, RR: 7 Reply 12, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 15 hours ago) and read 9353 times:
Quoting TG992 (Reply 2): The FJ crew have apparently been told the 744s will be away for 55 days each.
May be a bit longer, almost half the crew are going on leave.
Quoting 777ER (Reply 6): Thanks. I covered Tonga with the Cook Islands.
Last I checked, Tonga was not part of the Cook Islands...
Quoting Smi0006 (Reply 7): Lol Just posted to ask what sort of upgrades were being preformed, but a little research on my behalf made that irrelevant lol!
Pretty much your standard 'D' check and cabin refitting. It is expected that the aircraft will be delayed in maintenance. Last time SQ carried out checks they made a mess of a lot of things, which caused big delays. Slight chance they may have new business class seats also, likely the SQ spacebed...but to be confirmed.
Also, for those interested, when DQ-FJL goes in for its check at the beginning of next year it will loose its Island fuselage sticker. It is showing wear and tear and weighs around 700kg.
Wasn't sure if PNG was part of the Islands as its close to Asia
Quoting NZ747 (Reply 12): Quoting 777ER (Reply 6):
Thanks. I covered Tonga with the Cook Islands.
Last I checked, Tonga was not part of the Cook Islands...
Thanks fo the correction
Quoting NZ747 (Reply 12): It is showing wear and tear and weighs around 700kg.
Will be sad to see the sticker gone as its shows the real beauty of Fiji and I still remember those scenes from 1991, but with todays fuwl prices that 700kgs less weight will help heaps
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Macilree From New Zealand, joined Dec 2006, 237 posts, RR: 8 Reply 16, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 9274 times:
Great idea to get this thread going.
Although it is starting to get a little dated, those with an interest in Pacific Islands aviation might like to have a look at the Asian Development Bank publication from last year Oceanic Voyages, one volume of which is a 148-page aviation report that is available as a free download. The consultancy that worked on this report was the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.
In so far as the countries that this thread should focus on, I suggest that the answer is those that are members of the Pacific Islands Forum, except Australia and New Zealand, plus the assorted American territories, French Pacific territories and Easter Island. We could perhaps also stretch to discussing the idea (from Dick Smith wasn't it?) of an airstrip on Pitcairn Island!
JFK69 From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 1346 posts, RR: 1 Reply 18, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 9113 times:
Quoting NZ747 (Reply 12): Also, for those interested, when DQ-FJL goes in for its check at the beginning of next year it will loose its Island fuselage sticker. It is showing wear and tear and weighs around 700kg.
That is sad, that bird is truly a jewel to see with that pic and I will always remember coming home from my Fiji honeymoon on that bird.
It is also sad that passengers won't be able to enjoy the friendliness of the FJ crew. They are the ones that make the trip special.
Macilree From New Zealand, joined Dec 2006, 237 posts, RR: 8 Reply 19, posted (3 years 7 months 4 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 9078 times:
Quoting JFK69 (Reply 18): If my memory serves me well, there are airports in Tongatapu, Vava u and Ha apia in Tonga
There is now only one domestic operator flying in Tonga, Chathams Pacific. This is a subsidiary of a New Zealand airline so an example of ninth freedom cabotage.
MotorHussy From New Zealand, joined Mar 2000, 2559 posts, RR: 11 Reply 22, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 8905 times:
Quoting Cchan (Reply 20): PNG is considered part of Oceania while the western half, the Papua province of Indonesia is part of Asia.
Well actually no, all of the island is considered part of Oceania as the natives are all Melanesian. It just happens that Indonesia rules over West Papua, many recognise this as a similar claim to China's over Tibet. Many West Papuans have died denying Indonesia's claim.
And on to PNG, the Govt has allowed a JV between a Virgin Blue subsidiary Pacific Blue and a local feeder airline to run in competition to state owned Air Niugini. Not sure of details but here's some:
Zkpilot From New Zealand, joined Mar 2006, 4574 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 15 hours ago) and read 8900 times:
Quoting HAL (Reply 3): I'll bite! And I have a question for anyone who may know. What is the best way to get to Noumea from the United States? Through Tahiti? Through Sydney? Who flys there and from where? Thanks for your answers.
Through AKL would be your best, easiest and probably cheapest bet.
HALFA From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 1281 posts, RR: 18 Reply 24, posted (3 years 7 months 3 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 8787 times:
Quoting 777ER (Thread starter): Airlines that serve the Pacific Islands are : NZ, DJ, FJ and Air Vanuata
Quoting PRGLY (Reply 4): Also airlines like Solomon Island Airlines, VT, SB, Air Kiribati, Marshall Island Airlines.
Let's include Hawaiian Airlines in the discussion as we have twice weekly service to PPG, and once weekly service to PPT from HNL.
HALFA
JFK Starts June 4, CTS Starts November 1
25 MotorHussy: That's Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands. And great idea, this should include all of Oceania including the islands of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micrones
26 MotorHussy: Take the daily non-stop LAX-BNE with QF and then a Tue to Sun connex with QF or SB.* Or take one of the daily QF SFO or LAX flights to SYD and connec
27 Gemuser: I'll second that, provided its only there services outside the USA thats included. Gemuser
28 QF175: Remember Qantas, QantasLink, Solomon Airlines, Our Airlines, SkyAirWorld, Norfolk Air etc are all players in the Pacific market. I like the idea of ha
29 777ER: Where did you hear this rumor? Any idea if it would be used on domestic or Intl?
31 FOLOV: 2 of TN 340's will be in HKG for C checks, They will be there between October and December. So to all the spotters get ready for them. New birds comin
32 Cchan: Not as much love as Africa gives though. This should be great to the PNG public. PX airfares are prohibitively expensive by PNG standards (and very e
34 A342: Ouch - the only air service to CXI (Christmas Island/Kirimati) has been suspended... "Following reviews of the runway surface at Kiritimati (Christmas
35 MotorHussy: Good news on this front. Taiwan has pitched in US$3 million to bail out the Kiribati Govt. It appears the runway condition may have been a red-herrin
37 Airnewzealand: Its a big insult to Cook Islanders to even group us with Tongans...much like the love hate affair with Samoans and Tongans...Geography needed???
38 SQ6807: Does anyone have any sense of why FJ is starting NAN-OOL services? What market do they intend to serve. I would have thought that there wasn't much lo
39 Alangirvan: FJ have started OOL-NAN (with continuation to PPT, perhaps?) so that REALDEAL and Koruman can travel together. The flight will continue onto Colorado
40 Koruman: Actually, I disagree. The Gold Coast is an inbound destination for people from the southern cities, to be sure, but it also services a population of
41 777ER: LOL. I'm really sure the ebay link in the e-mail you sent me was by our friend!
42 MotorHussy: Coffee, tea or a saucer of milk Sir? Just to clarify, from my perspective, this forum should include all aviation topics that concern or impact on th
44 MotorHussy: LOL, something to do with a silent H.
45 777ER: NZs pax number loads were down in August on Pacific Island services as a result of increased competition and general softening of demand http://www.st
46 REALDEAL: both are still SQ we believe actually new FJ OOL/NAN connects with NAN/LAX (much better connections than NZ OOL/AKL/LAX). FJ are being clever with OO
47 ZK-NBT: FJ already fly to WLG and CHC weekly. Or is that seasonal only? Connects to LAX plus I think if BNE is popular for FJ I can't see OOL being really un
48 777ER: I havn't seen any FJ aircraft in WLG since 2005. I had a look at the FJ schedules before from WLG and they only code-share between WLG-AKL. Not sure
49 ZK-NBT: Just checked. They only have a seasonal summer only weekly service to CHC with the 73G. They are reducing LAX to 5x weekly soon for the Northern Wint
50 REALDEAL: If FJ took 1 x 744 off NAN/LAX/NAN they could substitute with 763 (which NZ used to do with 763) which would give them more seats NAN/OZ & less seats
51 NZ747: Yes runway was very bad, almost not suitable for the B737 in the first place. The flights were heavily subsidised by the Kiribati Government and neve
52 SLCUT2777: I agree, they do more than just hop from the west coast of the U.S. in these: This is an HA 763ER heading to HNL from SAN I caught last week. What ai
53 GarethW: Does anyone know if QF will codeshare with FJ on the new NAN-OOL-NAN services? I wouldn't mind a week in Fiji in the next few months but would like my
55 HAL: All of our flying other than normal interisland flights is done with the B763. That includes Hawaii to the west coast as well as PPT, PPG, SYD and MN
57 ANstar: Doesn't matter if it has a QF code or not. FJ flights earn both points and status credits in the QF program. (Prob due to QF being a half owner)
58 REALDEAL: many yanks don't know FJ, but many do know QF. So if they were doing a search & QF flight numbwers come up they might book into OOL, but if FJ flight
59 Cchan: How old are the Air Rarotonga EMBs? Is there any plan to replace them?
60 ZKOJH: With FJ got 789,s on order, can we see something else being ordered to up the 738 fleet , with just 2 738,s and 1 737-700 in the fleet, this surley me
61 ZK-NBT: Hmm, I didn't see it in the schedules for October anyway. Interesting OOL-NAN-LAX has a short 75 min connection time whereas LAX-NAN-OOL has almost 8
62 REALDEAL: With huge durnturn coming am sure they could get a aircraft from QF if needed short term or long term.
63 GarethW: What could they get? QF need all the 738s they can get their hands on to replace the vile 734s (which almost make me want to fly DJ but not quite) an
64 QF175: Pacific Blue has just announced a new 2x weekly Brisbane - Honiara service commencing 2DEC08: http://www.virginblue.com.au/AboutUs.../NewsandPressRele
66 QANTAS747-438: Not sure if I missed it, but who will be flying for TN while their A340s are in HKG getting their checks?
67 ZK-NBT: I'd have my doubts that they are utilizing all 5 343s at one time. So probably IMO no one.
68 Aviationfreak: Wouldn't the HNL-PPG service a US domestic flight? Is a 738 capable of doing that? My guess is it's a 7 hour flight. I agree! Would be the same as sa
69 MotorHussy: You still have to clear customs; I've done it a few times. It's the same as flying in from Puerto Rico or Guam. Looks to me like he was confusing Ton
70 NZ747: Discussions are going on about that at the moment. There is also talk of Regional Jets such as the new C-series bombardier and E190.
71 MotorHussy: The E190 or similar would be perfect for regional routes out of NAN where the 737 are too large like CXI and TRW or where the ATR is currently used l
72 777ER: I'm not sure on range for the E190/C Series, but would it be able to reach New Zealand?
73 MotorHussy: Both the E190 and C-Series would easily have the legs for New Zealand (all points) and with minimal weight restriction to DUD for the Embraer. The Em
74 Alangirvan: As you might guess, I would be delighted if an E-190 could do NAN-DUD. When the A320s started out of DUD (Freedom) they pointed that DUD-NAN is one ro
75 SQ6807: I think E-Jets have got real potential in the pacific. It would be neat to see DJ expand its polynesian blue operation with these aircraft. However, w
76 NZ107: Would DJ have more success opening up new TT routes with such aircraft than performing island hoppers/routes to the Islands?
77 DavidByrne: I agree with AlanGirvan that it's a real issue that there are virtually no intra-Pacific Islands flights (at least very few east-west Polynesian flig
78 DavidByrne: Postscript to the above - just read on another thread that LAX-RAR may be doomed after March 2009. Hmmmm. Sort of cuts the ground from under at least
79 SQ6807: Well maybe a little more intra-pacific feed might be what RAR-LAX needs to stay online! David I think you raise a very interesting possibility. I hav
80 777ER: Thanks for the information. if FJ do get either the E190 or C-Series then hopfully we can see a return of WLG services. If the WLG service connects w
81 SQ6807: That would be good. I have often thought there might be an opportunity for FJ to compete on Australia-North American services more seriously than the
82 777ER: I wonder if NZs RAR-LAX service would do better if it had connections to/from WLG and CHC.
83 Cchan: Air Rarotonga maybe keen on this idea, the problem is that they don't have suitable aircrafts and have no capital to invest.
84 MotorHussy: In a country where sometimes very little else matters. And for some time, many years ago (1970's), PH used to fly APW-WLS-NAN with their HS748. Surpr
85 Alangirvan: Scandinavian is the airline, which the Norwegian pay for, the Swedish manage and the Danes fly in. An SAS Consultant did a paper for the Pacific Forum
86 NZ747: Yup, I agree. At the moment a E190 or C series is too big for Funafuti, but there is another type on its way to expand capacity for that and other in
87 DavidByrne: I'm not at all proposing the Scandinavian model, but a Cook Islands-based carrier with NZ shareholding which would use NZ and/or Cook Islands traffic
88 Macilree: If you download and have a look at page 39 of the latest FJ Annual Report you will see that, as well as the Government of Fiji and Qantas, Air New Ze
89 Macilree: Strange as it may seem, I have actually dealt with air services issues relating to both!
90 NZ107: Just a reminder: the quote button to get the correct person and reply is above the body of text Cheers NZ107
91 Vulindlela744: Will Air Tahiti Nui still have a route from JFK???? Look forward to trying TN early next year.
92 Cchan: They probably can but they won't, considering the Cook Islands government is risk sharing with NZ on the RAR-LAX leg. It makes more sense to put pass
93 777ER: TN will now fly PPT-LAX-JFK, so the direct service will no longer exist
94 SQ6807: I'm guessing that, like QF they will not have rights to carry pax JFK-LAX without continuing on? I've always struggled to see how a carrier to justif
95 Airnewzealand: Not Prestige...they make a good dime of this route...CARGO is the word and Premium pax are Massive... Cheers
96 ZK-NBT: I'd have my doubts as RAR-LAX is obviously fairly low yeilding in itself. There was a rumour they were looking at going via LAS, no wonder they can't
97 777ER: LAS flights as far as I know are confirmed, but the JFK flights were being routed via LAX
98 ZK-NBT: Nothing on their website regarding LAS. So yes the JFK flights will be via LAX I guess then as they have been for a while on and off. They don't real
99 Koruman: David Byrne's isea of a RAR turboprop hub makes sense, because RAR is such a volume-limited and yield-poor destination that the only way to make LAX-R
100 AirGabon: What about Air Calin? What are the last news and developments for them? I guess they have 2 A332 and 1 A320? And what's up with Air Tahiti for domesti
101 Zkojh: new routes for air pacific a long time ago were heard of India and South America... not sure what else they have in mind, maybe a service to London ,
102 Macilree: The Fiji Interim Government announced on 7 October 2008 that it will be joining PIASA, the region's phased-in "open skies" agreement, and PICASST, the
103 REALDEAL: FJ seem to have a problem with getting to NAN from OZ to connect to NAN/LAX service. Was looking for seats mid JAN thru to LAX (looked at lots of date
104 777ER: Since NZ is now basically code-sharing or axing routes to good Pacific spots, having a franchise operating in the Pacific Islands for NZ makes good s
105 MotorHussy: Samoa's tourism industry increases value by 40% over previous year receiving a total of US$8.3-million. Samoa's tourism industry has been steadily inc
106 FlyMD: Does anybody know if the FJ 747 will be back on the LAX-NAN route on December 4th. I am taking a family trip to Fiji and will be very disappointed to
107 REALDEAL: not showing as UA (which it was for earlier flights)
108 HAL: The big problem with that idea is that the runway at RAR isn't long enough to support a flight to LAX. It's currently 7638 feet long. With a 767 you
109 QANTAS747-438: RAR isn't long enough to support a flight to LAX? Don't tell that to Air New Zealand who does it several times a week as flts NZ19 and NZ14 which are
110 MotorHussy: And speaking of RAR, does NZ still own part of the airport and operations there? HAL, you're mistaken there on the routings and capability of 767's ou
112 Maxisno1: Wow I've never noticed this thread before :S Correct! Yeah I was thinking that too! I took that flight a few months ago and it was packed! Sad to see
113 HAL: I didn't know that NZ flew RAR nonstop LAX. But I still stand by my statement in general. You can't fly a full 763 out of that short a runway with a f
114 REALDEAL: many people don't even know until they get to gate that they are not on QF aircraft if their ticket has QF flight number. Funny situation at present
115 Maxisno1: Yeah I've had that happen a few times, not in a few years though. And thankfully never with a UA crew!!! PS - I don't have to worry about QF because
116 QF175: Brisbane Airport Corporation's latest International schedule (NOV) is showing a new weekly Pacific Blue Brisbane - Tonga (Nuku'Alofa [TBU]) commencing
117 Zkpilot: In fact NZ used to operate 742s out of RAR on occasion (once per week I think it was)
118 MotorHussy: I've flown on a 742 out of RAR to AKL. Flight originating at LAX via PPT.
119 Koruman: The LAX-RAR debacle is a direct consequence of Air New Zealand's muddled thinking about its longstanding LAX-PPT-RAR-AKL route. I first flew the rout
120 HAL: Thanks Koruman. This is what I was trying to point out. You can fly almost any airplane out of a 7600ft runway and fly for a long distance, as long a
121 Koruman: The weight restricted 747-200 and DC10-30 operations were the extremely short RAR-PPT and the shortish RAR-AKL sector. I love the Cook Islands, and I
122 HAL: You won't find A320's going HNL-RAR for the same reason you don't find them flying HNL-mainland. They don't have the range to do it with a standard p
123 Koruman: Ah well, RAR-HNL was probably the part of my imaginary A320 RAR base which I was least dedicated to anyway. I am curious though, as a layman - did Al
124 HNL-Jack: Heard a rumor last evening that CO will initate a weekly LAX / GUM non-stop by mid next year. Can anyone confirm?
125 HAL: Aloha's RAR flights were nonstop from HNL, but they couldn't fill the plane all the way because of weight restrictions. The 737-700's do have a sligh
126 DavidByrne: I agree - something needs to be done or there will be no NZ Pacific network other than a hub-and-spoke ex AKL, and one of NZ's main "points of differ
127 DavidByrne: As an aside, did FJ face load restrictions on its 73W operations from HNL-YVR?
128 SQ6807: I acknowledge the sentiment here David, and I think there is some merit in NZ finding a way to make intra-Pacific services work. I wonder whether the
130 777ER: Air NZ action angers islands Two island governments are furious with Air New Zealand for demanding a million dollar subsidy to link with the United St
131 ANstar: I wonder what other airlines would be interested if any? I know Polynesian Blue works well, but I can't see them flying to LA any time soon.
132 777ER: Can a B738 even make it that far? I suspect it would have to be heavily restricted. Wonder if V Australia would be interested on behalf of Polynesian
133 ANstar: I was thinking Samoa-Honolulu-USA i don't think V Australia would be interested. They have better routes to skim the cream from! Ie SYD-JNB etc
134 777ER: Since a B738/A320 Family range aircraft (except the A319ACJ and BBJs) can't reach the US Mainland, a B737-700ER would be the Islands best bet for dir
135 777ER: Airbus doesn't offer any A320 family extended range aircraft, except for their ACJs which do cost more. Maybe an ACJ with say 8 F/J and 116Y would su
136 ETA Unknown: Samoa & Tonga may be better off having Polynesian Blue extend to HNL once or twice week or contracting with FJ (737): NAN-APW-HNLx1, HNL-TBU-HNLx1. In
137 777ER: Only problem is alot of their produce/goods and services needs to be to/from the mainland. If NZ withdraws services and DJ extends to HNL, then how w
138 ANstar: I presume freight would have to go via HNL to connect to a DJ flight if it happened. How do other countries like Vanuatu cope? They only have 737 ser
139 777ER: But the added costs of sending the freight via a second carrier would push the purchase prices up in Tonga. Unless Tonga can get a new direct service
140 NZ107: That's kinda beside the point. VLI only has a flight to AKL and there's no extension to LAX. Flights that have warranted a continuation to LAX have b
141 ANstar: The quote was Not really - I'm sure they need similar things in order to survive! The choice seems to be pay more to an airline to fly non stop (ie NZ
142 REALDEAL: FJ have only 1 x 763ER which is ex QF we believe. Perhaps QF (46% owner of FJ) could push some of their 737-300's & -400's &/or an old 763ER FJ's way
143 REALDEAL: Did NZ's 763ER's when they flew codeshares with FJ ever have to make a refueling stop, as thought max range of 763ER would be right on LAX/NAN, other
144 ETA Unknown: The FJ 763 was delivered new from Boeing... when it will be repianted into the current colour scheme is another question. FJ 744 to LAX: rarely is thi
145 REALDEAL: yes but an NZ 763ER used to fly LAX/NAN/LAX codeshared with FJ.
146 JFK69: But very full down below with cargo. I found this out the hard way when they delayed my luggage for 48 hours. I was told they constantly leave passen
148 JFK69: If you can define that to me than I can tell you if I was.
149 REALDEAL: subload = subject to loading or standby. If it were me & they said you can get on flight but you baggage might not make it, I would be fine with that
150 JFK69: It was way to my holiday. We connected from JFK with a 4 hour layover. We figured plenty of time for our luggage to connect.....well, when we got to F
151 REALDEAL: does anyone know how the new FJ flights Coolangatta/Fiji are selling ? Seems they might have lots of seats left for December departures. Guess they la
152 777ER: Cooks Agree To Pay Air New Zealand For Shortfalls On Rarotonga-LA Route The Cook Islands government has agreed to enter into another risk-share agreem
153 Planemanofnz: What do they expect Air NZ to do - continue the operation the routes at a loss? Give me a break .. At least with the loss-making Chinese routes, ther
154 Alangirvan: Looks as though Cooks did not get a better offer from Hawaiian Airlines, or the Virgin Group. I think Cooks has appointed a new Marketing Rep in Los A
155 777ER: Yes a single weekly frequency is harder to sell cause it means pax need to stay longer then they may want to, but they do have the option of going ba
156 Alangirvan: If the cost of subsidising a weekly flight is a lot, then a twice weekly service would cost even more, but it would give passnegers more flexibility.
157 Cchan: That depends on how well they do with various international aid organisations and how much they can borrow from the Chinese alike. In other words, ch
158 777ER: NZ and the Pacific Islands governments should work together on a deal to help promote the Cook Islands. Its in NZs best interests to help as not only
159 REALDEAL: Was talking to a wholesaler who said, that many bookings to USA/Canada are being cancelled as people are due to pay their flight balances 2 months pr
160 Alangirvan: The Economic Crisis is going to be used as an excuse for cancelling a lot of air services, that were questionable in the first place. OOL-NAN is one o
161 ETA Unknown: I wonder whether the OOL-NAN service is a backdoor way to sell BNE-LAX tickets at lower rates that would normally upset QF. Just a thought...
162 777ER: I've been told that OOL-NAN which is having 9x B738 services during the whole month of December still has around 900 seats out of 1458 seats unsold an
163 ZK-NBT: Alot of traffic ex NAN is low yeild, I don't think it makes that much difference that they are flying from OOL rather than BNE, maybe cheaper landing
164 Koruman: I live near OOL and am a regular visitor to the Pacific Islands. I would certainly have booked this route - but not in the Fiji rainy season. I'm goi
165 Alangirvan: Well, you would have thought FJ knew what the climate is like in their home country, and planned their services to operate when the weather is at its
166 REALDEAL: Translink (train & bus) form Brisbane suburbs to OOL is cheap as chips, but pax must get off train at Robina (the end of the line) & get on local bus
167 ETA Unknown: And don't forget FJ's attempt at RAR- a shorter life span than NAN-CBR! And ADL- the airport even EK doesn't want to fly to!
168 REALDEAL: it had to happen ... NZ auctions their seats every thu, now an Australian tour operator is auctioning seats to USA, Canada & Japan on www.ebay.com.au
169 REALDEAL: don't have links to ebay but if do a search with Qantas in tickets & travel category they come up. NOTE: Qantas code shares all FJ flights to LAX.
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