Airliners.net

Why does Air Canada operate a once daily HNL-SYD and return? I believe they use a 767-300ER.

Because they can't make it nonstop from either Vancouver and/or Toronto.

There's been an aircraft upgrade, they fly the A340 to SYD now.

Marco, the A340s are switching to 767s for the next few months, and then the service will be upgraded to a B747-400.
Dont know if this applies to the Toronto/Honolulu/Melbourne route as well.

I read that as well (CHG to 763, then 744 from Oct.), but I checked the AC website, it shows that in Oct they switch back to a 343... (and on oag.com as well..)

are they really using the 744?

Jimmy

The main reason for AC operating HNL-SYD return once daily is that the timing seems to make the most sense for business travelers (the flight leaves YVR in the evening, then one can sleep, thus reducing jetlag). At least that's what I've heard. Other airlines do that, too, I think. Besides, I don't think SYD is a 24-hour airport, either. My dad said the schedule hasn't changed by much in 20 years! He knows, as he flies to SYD often.

AC uses the 763 during the northern Hemisphere summer because this is not the peak period for travel to Australia and NZ. Generally, peak travel to Down Under is mainly between October and March, and that's when they use the A340-300 and sometimes the 744.

I didn't realize it was a continuation service. I just thought they were operating HNL-SYD sort of out of nowhere. Thanks for the insight.

An AC 763 YYZ-HNL arrives at HNL around midnight at the same time as the 343 YVR-HNL. All pax continuing on to SYD consolidate on the 343, MEL pax on the 3 weekly AC HNL-MEL 763 flights. AC also has fifth freedom rights from HNL to SYD/MEL.

The AC 744 upgrade comment was mentioned in the lastest issue of Australian Aviation. It's obviously a typo- no way will AC bring a scheduled 744 to SYD, although it may well revert to an A340 for the Australian summer season.