Virgin Blue Orders 19 new Boeings
 

Whisper seeping through from the Brekky Creek HQ to the crew rooms today, that VB has placed an order for 19 shiny new Boeings with an undisclosed number of 900ER's included in the mix. An additional 1000 hours per month of flying is planned, with several new international routes included. The oversupply of Boeing pilots vs. Embraer pilots should no longer be a problem, if the above turns out to me more than a rumour.

There'd be more spin in that than a CFM56!:rolleyes:

The price would be right at Boeing at the moment.They have done similar good deals on price in the past with their timing.

Bearing in mind that deliveries would probably be a couple of years away, and perhaps some of the existing fleet is due to be returned (end of lease), this could be a smart move indeed.

As mates rates very appropriately said, they'd be getting a real good deal by ordering now.

More grist for Krusty and the Doomsday brigade.

Wait for the cascade of ex spurt opinions.

Maui

Maui,

VB has obviously got it wrong in spades. World's best practice as was in vogue at Ansett would suggest that the order for 19 Boeings should have included instead:

5 X 737 NG
4 X Bae 146
6 X A320
4 X 767 (with F/E)

Or Qantas:
10 X 767 (all old with mix of GE, RR and PW engines)
4 X 747-300 (last airline in the top 25 to operate them)
0 X 777 (only airline in the top 25 not to operate them)

Or Australian:....the J31!!!

The only way to keep Krusty and his mates happy and the airline in business, would be to include a clutch of Saab 340's and pay 2nd officers thereon circa 200,000.

Why can't management see that!

Maui

You guys crack me up....... However, IF the order is true, most would be for lease renewals I would think. As pointed out, good time to order from the manufacturers, just like they did initially. Still, IF the extra flying comes on, then good thing. Buying Boeings doesn't solve the E jet crew shortage tho.

P.S. They could solve the oversupply/shortage thing tomorrow if they really wanted to...... :ugh:

They could have got even more favourable terms for taking some of the Lion Air order of 178 739ER's. Rumour has it Lion are now looking on the second-hand market as they can't afford all the new builds they ordered.

Maui..all of KRUSTY's mates have left or will be soon leaving for greener pastures..he's a bit sensitive about the issue..Your being a tad harsh on him.

Maybe with the new order and possibly the fact VB and Jetstar may start hiring again, it would be an opportune time for KRUSTY to move into a jet operation. Sounds like the old fella could do with a new start and a new lease on life.

An order for a few -900ER's sounds like a good move, send them to PB for routes like:
AKL to PER, DPS, PPT & HNL:ok:

The 900ER's have the same range as the 800's, the only difference is the extra seating capacity. The 900's (if this rumour is true) will be used in/out of Sydney on domestic ops due to the slot constraints. As it stands VB have flights every 15 minutes SYD-MEL during the peak periods.

And of course quite a few aircraft coming off lease. VB have 10?? 737-800's to be delivered this year to replace those coming off lease...this info is straight from their annual report. So the new orders could be for future replacements.

pfffffft i thought the rumour was they were getting A320s and A340's to compliment the 777's for the punters noticing they are missing two engines! :ok:

It's just a wee bit more:

- 737-800 (high gross weight version) - 2940 nm
- 737-900ER - 3200 nm

Due to listing requirements, if an order has been made, I would imagine an announcement would have been made to the ASX, not to mention a press release announcing the order of the first of a type in Australia... Nothing as yet...

Wouldn't have thought it to be first of type so to speak. Same rating and such. You only get the extra range with the aux tanks, something I doubt VB would fit.

This whisper didn't come from a group of Ex DJ drivers (now EK drivers) that were in town for the weekend per chance?

About the same as the 700HGW ;)

Are the new aircraft for fleet replacement, or expansion?

I would be surprised if they are for expansion.