Good times coming for 777 crew
2009 winter schedule, LAX and SFO are certain for 777-367ER.
JNB and AKL are only worth mention to "wind-up" the yarpies and jaffas.
I hear that the 777ER performance leaves much to be desired with regard to the JNB summer time load capacity, even with the "bump-thrust" selection. But I heard that from a bus driver, so......
The India-HKG airspace agreements are going to have a huge impact on the 777 fleet in the next few months. The 773 cabin is a joke compared to the competition (Jet Airways), so expect the 330 and 744 to take over BOM very soon. If CX do not respond to the market standard on this route then within days, we will be flying empty.
Similarily, expect the HKG-BAH-RUH-HKG (the bastion of 772 operations) to go A330 within months. Apparently passenger complaints and wastage of premium pax is "through the roof".
Yet again, CX is years behind with the product, and only when market share is evapourating are they going to scramble to catch up.
This adds more complexity to the "loss of business opportunities" spin of the DFO with regard to the virtual crewing shortage.
So, if 772 comes off the BAH-RUH, and 773 comes off BKK-BOM-DXB, then we are left with a surplus of regional 777's, even with Colombo back on the schedule.
My guess, is overtime on the airbus will go up even more, and on the 777 will stay about the same (or hopefully a bit less).
Guess I am on the right fleet for once!