New Boeing ban in US?

[V1-VR-V8]

A KLM 747 pilot who will be transitioning to 777/787 during this year mentioned that his carrier is not allowed to operate a brand spanking new Boeing 777/787 over the US mainland until 1 year has passed. Consequently these new aircraft fly the Middle East/Asia routes first and take up US routes after this time period has passed. He said other European airlines do the same thing. Does anybody know if this is correct and why this rule is imposed? Many thanks in advance.

[Groundloop]

Wasn't BA's very first 787 service to the US?

[V1-VR-V8]

Yes, I think so too. He says he was told this during his intake interview.

[framer]

Imagine trying to get that legislation through. Not likely anything to do with the US product.

[mseyfang]

This is a true stab in the dark here, but I suspect this has nothing to do with US regulatory requirements (there are none of which I am aware) and everything to do with capacity controls imposed on AF/KL as a result of their joint venture with Delta. Without getting into boring specifics, they are supposed to run at rough parity in terms of the number of seats between the US and Europe. AF/KL have had more than half the seats for several years and that has been a bone of contention among Delta pilots who view the imbalance as an outsourcing of flying they should be doing, which is an issue in upcoming 2015 contract negotiations, further complicated by the Delta/Virgin JV.

[V1-VR-V8]

Interesting point, thanks, that may well be the reason