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Kulula 737-400 new arrivals

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Old 1st Mar 2008, 13:34
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Kulula 737-400 new arrivals

Saw a red-tailed 737-400 landing at GRJ this morning for Kulula, is this the new addition to the fleet, just the one or is there more. When will it go in for painting?

Interestingly enough, yesterday afternoon a Kulula MD-82 departed from GRJ and made a turn-around and do what looked like a low fly-past over GRJ...could it have been because it was the last MD-82 flight at GRJ for Kulula? Transavia 738 is scheduled the majority of flights during the rest of March to GRJ.
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Old 1st Mar 2008, 15:10
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last MD80 flight was yesterday.......new B737-800 is OK-TVD from Chechoslovakia........wet lease for a month or two to ease trainining and transition of MD pilots onto Boeing fleet whilst at the same time growing the Boeing fleet...both BA and Kulula
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Old 2nd Mar 2008, 09:53
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OK, I thought it could have been a -800 as well, wasn't sure, from a distance...but without winglets. Saw a close-up today at GRJ, it's painted in some Prague Airport promotion colours, quite nice actually.
But this is only for a short while, at the same time the Transavia -800 is also hanging around still. It seems that between the two of them they'll be doing mostly GRJ flights.
Are you then also saying that the last MD flight was the one I saw doing the low fly-past on Friday on it's way back to JNB?
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Old 3rd Mar 2008, 12:09
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Also thought it was a 734 grjplanes... definitely didn't have winglets though, so possibly was a 738 minus the tips?
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Old 3rd Mar 2008, 12:44
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I had to laugh at the (in my mind) extremely deceptive kulula add with the box and the 'new fleet' chirp, implying that the 'new' aeries are all shiny and fresh out the box....meanwhile, it's good 'ol 733/4's with a good couple of years on them already, just like all the others! But hey, they'll have new paint jobs - thats got to count for something!
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Old 3rd Mar 2008, 13:28
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Well, the SA public gets fooled easily, a few years ago the MD were also brand new and before that the 734s were new then also...out of the box...clearly not thinking out of the box enough...

Anyway, few questions still regarding all of this: Is this Czech 738 also leased in the same way as the Transavia one, with crew and all...because on the website flights will be shown to be operated by Transavia, but nowhere can I find flights to be operated by Travelservice (owner OK-TVD)?

Also there is an all-white 737-300 flying for Kulula as well, will that eventually go to BA/Comair, when Kulula has all their 737-400s? Wouldn't it make better sense to transfer the remaining 737-400s from BA/Comair to Kulula, and then Kulula has only 737-400 and BA only 737-300 (when 737-200 is all gone...hopefully).
With that, what is going to happen with the sole Kulula 737-200, is it still around?

The big question, will we ever see Kulula with a single aircraft type, and BA/Comair with not more than 2 types (besides a long-haul aircraft). And yes, I do know BA aircraft sometimes fly for Kulula...besides the normal BA flights that is sold on Kulula website.
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Old 4th Mar 2008, 07:20
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The -300 and -400 are operated in 98% the same fashion. No need to have a dedicated fleet to each company. The pilot's can now fly for both brands interchangably. Much better for crew utilisation.
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Old 4th Mar 2008, 11:39
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BA Comair / Kulula will never operate a similar type of aircraft.

The nature of the operation is such that the cheapest aircraft is sourced and put into service. What really makes me mad is when you book a BA flight and a green or white tail arrives. It seems as if brand loyalty is not recognized by SA airlines!
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Old 4th Mar 2008, 17:05
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Er.....they're about to...and actually mostly are already...
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Old 4th Mar 2008, 18:01
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er, twinjock, they operate EXACTLY the same aeroplanes now that the MD has retired. B732/3/4's... Same pilot pool everything. Eish open your mouth to change feet boet
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Old 5th Mar 2008, 07:10
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During my stint at Comair, the Kulula branded aircraft were only used for B.A. flights when the B.A. branded aircraft went technical.

The majority of pax would rather get to their destination on a Kulula painted aircraft with B.A. hosties and food than not go at all!
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Old 10th Mar 2008, 09:15
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I believe there is now 2 all-white 737-300 aircraft, had both operating into GRJ yesterday 2hours apart.
What bothers me about all of this, is only whether Kulula will just have 737-400 aircraft eventually operating in their colours at least, or will there be 737-300 aircraft also branded as Kulula?
Over the weekend the 5 Kulula flights at GRJ were all non-branded aircraft, nothing even indicating to be Kulula...infact with the leased Czech 738 people might think it's 1Time.
And a recent survey showed that Kulula is one of the most recognisable brands in South Africa? Strange way in being loyal to your brand.
So my question, as it was in the beginning is only whether we will ever see an end to all these other-branded or unmarked aircraft flying for Kulula or Comair even?
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Old 11th Mar 2008, 12:23
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Shrike200 and FlyitLikeaRental.

Are you saying that the seating configuration on the BA aircraft are the same as on the Kulula aircraft? Also packed like sardines in the BA aircraft? If not then they are NOT EXACTLY the same as you state.

You missing the point - if I pay for a BA seat, I get angry if a Kulula 29" seat pitch aircraft arrives. If you however have a Kulula ticket and a BA aircraft arrives, you are smiling - good service and a relatively good meal! If I want silly jokes and expensive snacks, I will fly with Kulula.

Those that pay for a premium service demands that they get that service.

Comair/Kulula has a lot to learn when it comes to brand loyalty. The South African passenger is just too happy when something is parked at the departure gate - even if it is not painted in the colours of the airline that you have chosen to fly with.
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Old 11th Mar 2008, 19:14
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I did say 'they are doing it' when you said 'similar' types. Regardless of seating, the B733/4/5 are definitely 'similar' types. There was no indication that you were referring to seating density in your post, in which case the aircraft type makes absolutely no difference, merely the seating arrangement. I completely understand your (now clarified) point however, and I can only imagine that kulula pax could end up on BA aircraft, but not vice versa.
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