afterdark,
AL came to the end of it's lease in April. By that time BK (not used by FCA before) was online, but delivered late (almost 1 month), by the maintainance organisation in AUH.
AN should have been back from refit in AUH by the time AL left. It was not, and again was delivered to FCA about 1 month late. For a period of several weeks FCA were left with only one 767 during April. A 767 was wet leased in from Holland for 2 weeks to help cover, but passenger response/reliability/punctuality was even worse than operating on our own 757's!! Examples being Mexico flights having to operate via AMS as Mexican authorities would not allow a non 'G' registered aircraft to operate into Mexico from the UK.
BL should have been delivered by the start of May, and yes, again, is about 1 month behind. Due now beginning of June. The first couple of weeks of May only required 2 767's to operate, but as of then 3. Hence until BL arrives, some flights have to be downgraded to 757, or subbed out. Most have been downgraded, using 757's in the normal 233 config. Even so this has resulted in 20+ seats not being available on the day, and those pax being rebooked to destination with Virgin or any other UK operator.
This weekend some flights are being operated by an Iceland 767 whilst BL's arrival is still awaited. The vast majority of FCA long haul IS being operated by it's own 767's. Pax response on these flights is EXTREMELY good, and the cabin config is definately a winner. I travelled on one 'down the back' only a few days ago, and found it comfortable with no leg room issues at all.