Astraeus
 

Earlier today Astraeus gained 120 minute ETOPS approval for the B737-700.

Somewhat as proof of this, as I type, AEU233 is en-route from London Gatwick to Deer Lake / Canada - during the course of which it will be making full use of the ETOPS approval. :ok:

ETOPS for its B757 fleet will follow soon.

Indeed, spotted the FPL this morning, definately an ETOPS route:

AEU233
B737/S
EOBT: 1230z
EGKK-CYDF
N0442 F380 DCT SAM UR8 GAPLI UL739 KENUK UL739 SOMAX DCT 5020N DCT 5030N DCT 5040N DCT 5050N DCT KOBEV DCT CYMON DCT CYDF/0558

Are you saying, people actually PAY to fly from LGW to Canada in a B737??

Wow!

When seated the cabin layout is much like a B757; Privatair operate a BBJ for LH across the pond; Swiss World were going to operate one from GVA to Canada; RBA operated 737-200 ETOPS in the 80's, (so I heard); Tranavia sent a B737 round the world with fare paying pax. If it's got the range, whats wrong with it. 6.30hrs is 6.30 hours whether it is down to Africa, into M.East, or across the Ocean. The seating arrangement is another issue. ETOPS just makes it legal, but not necessarily comforatble. Damned sight more comfortable than Concorde, but then I've only sat in it on the ground.

Didn't have to spend 7 hours on Concorde though!

Well, Tandemrotor - you may well have heard of BA - they expected their SCHEDULED club class passsengers to travel to (or from) Tel Aviv on a packed 737, so it isn't too much, eh? :D

gosh, i love the 737!is there anything it cant do???:8

Just curious - I've being to Deer Lake - who wants to go there?
Particularly in the winter. Is this just a fuel stop or the final destination. And hey - I liked the Rock so no flames from the newfies.

well, we operate 737-800 from Europe to Bangkok as well as to Durban as well as to Jamaica and Brasil ....as a regular service and the passengers pay happily for it.

Cannot see any reason why the aeroplane should not be ETOPS approved (with the required equipment of course) and the training for the crew is not such a big deal as often said.
Good luck and many happy landings, it is nice to see the success of hard work.

ETOPS Boeing 737-700
 

Will this make Canada and the States a more viable option from smaller airports in the UK such as Newcastle, Bristol, Leeds etc? ;)

Don't forget that KLM use their 737 NG's on fairly long middle eastern routes like Amman, Beirut etc. That's 5 or 6 hours.

The Astreaus flight to Deer Lake is being operated for a tour company that offers fishing holidays, and it is the final destination. I think Astreaus also fly to Murmansk in Russia for the same company.

Fishing tours - that makes sense - there is some excellent sport fishing in Newfie - just don't bring up the word cod.

To wander off topic - and into the dreaded AvsB battles -obviously there is a lot of potential in such long thin direct routes.
(What the B gang contends) Personally I think what will be the trend is what LH is doing - all business class (48 seat 737) direct flights from Newark. At 5k a head it makes a lot more sense than hauling 250 bods @ $350 each. Plus you would presumably have belly cargo space to sell. Be interesting to see if someone doesn't try it to Asia.

Pardon me, but I`m a simple anorak. What`s ETOPs and how would it affect you and I?

Multiflight at Leeds/Bradford have a BBJ, it flew to Fiji from LBA via Oakland in San Francisco...

ETOPS

Engines
Turn
Or
Passengers
Swim

Twin engine operations over water out of gliding distance from land

The flights to Deer Lake are for owners and time share buyers in the resort at Humber Valley .

At this time of year I suspect it is more to do with Skiing than Fishing.

H

Does the same crew fetch the 737 straight back, or do they change?

Same crew, there and back. Approx 10:30 flying round trip...13:00 duty

H

Thats a long day, but I'd still swap jobs anytime.