I took a look at the Boeing 777-200LR on the DFW-SYD route. With its 180mins ETOPS, there is only a slight course deviation needed. The problem was checked for going west - against the wind. I’m not too sure of the 85% winds used for planning on the Pacific, but I estimated an average 70 knots headwind.
The B777 seems to make it - just – with nothing to spare in the tanks (289 kgs actually), and it needs the optional rear cargo bay tanks fitted to do the run. However it can haul a full load of pax and bags, plus 8000kg cargo.
SUMMARY
Distance 7472 nm
Flight time 20.6 hours
Passengers 297 = full
Cargo 8000 kgs
Takeoff weight 343780 kgs
Fuel load 162119 kgs
Notes: 162408 kg fuel capacity needed
These are approximate, and anyone using them for real should be better at swimming than critical judgement. And Sydney thunderstorm holding fuel could be a problem. There might be the occasional tech stop needed.
Not sure of the demand on the route though. Not enough to justify the city pair involved, and I think that LAX is the better hub for a myriad of reasons.
Last edited by OverRun; 26th September 2005 at 06:10.