According to sources, the initial loads on the first two 777-300ER flights into Newcastle provide positive reading. The September 1, 2012 flight was fully-booked but arrived minus around 40 passengers who missed the connection in Dubai due to bad weather, while the September 2, 2102 flight was operated by a full aircraft configured in a higher-density arrangement with seating for 442 passengers. In fact, with eight infants onboard the jet arrived with 450 onboard, the largest ever passenger load to arrive at Newcastle International on a single aircraft.
Although I understand it's sold as a high-density route, most of the first couple of weeks flights have actually been low-density configured a/c (i.e. more high value seats) - no idea if this is a good or bad thing, permanent or temporary!
Also, being a pedant, haven't Corsair using their high density B.747's carried 500+ on football charters?