DELTA to start LA - Sydney from July 2009

[Jim Liu]

DELTA from 01JUL09 launches Atlanta - Los Angeles - Sydney service, becoming the first US carrier to operate service to all continents for the first time since the demise of PanAm.

DL017 ATL1900 - 2040LAX2240 - 0640+2SYD 77L D
DL016 SYD0915 - 0600LAX0740 - 1455ATL 77L D

http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2008/12/delta-to-australia-from-july-2009.html

[Michael Morrison]

Wow - nice news!

Wonder how this will effect V Australia. would be great to see the 2 codeshare!

They will be pretty stuffed if they dont.

I mean they will be up against STAR, SKYTEAM & ONEWORLD with no feed at Los Angeles. Not a recipe for success!

[Justin L]

Wow - nice news!

Wonder how this will effect V Australia. would be great to see the 2 codeshare!

They will be pretty stuffed if they dont.

I mean they will be up against STAR, SKYTEAM & ONEWORLD with no feed at Los Angeles. Not a recipe for success!

I can't find the post, bust wasn't there talk of VA codesharing with NW for domestic routes in the US? If that's the case, with DL and NW now merged, a codeshare with VA between SYD and LAX may be feasible (subject to competition laws, etc.)

[Michael Morrison]

The talk with VA/NW was just for interlining, not codeshare.

Though hopefully (for them) they do end up partnering with DL otherwise I cant see htem really lasting on the route.

[Montague S]

DL will do fine on the route, its UA that will suffer the most.

[Debra Rettie]

Its great to see that there will be more competition on the Australia-USA route rather than just having Qantas, United and V Australia whenever it starts up. When you want to fly to London you have a choice of six airlines you can fly with (Singapore, Cathay, Virgin Atlantic, QF, BA and Emirates) but when you want to fly to the USA you really only have QF and UA and also V Australia if it starts up at the end of February.

[Bernie P]

Its great to see that there will be more competition on the Australia-USA route rather than just having Qantas, United and V Australia whenever it starts up. When you want to fly to London you have a choice of six airlines you can fly with (Singapore, Cathay, Virgin Atlantic, QF, BA and Emirates) but when you want to fly to the USA you really only have QF and UA and also V Australia if it starts up at the end of February.

For London, there is also JAL (via NRT), SK (Via Asia and CPH; I did NRT CPH and then onto LHR) and no doubt, many more!!!

[Dan Collins]

For London, there is also JAL (via NRT), SK (Via Asia and CPH; I did NRT CPH and then onto LHR) and no doubt, many more!!!

Add Etihad via Abu Dhabi and Asiana and Korean also if you want to go the long way around on the latter (and there are still more no doubt!)

On topic though, it'll be great to see Delta here, I can't wait myself, and another B77L operator! :cool:

Dan

[Michael Mak]

That's great news. Can't wait to see 77L in DL colour!

[Malcolm Parker]

This surely puts a nail in the coffin for SQ wanting SYD-LAX

[Jack B]

is UA really as ****ty as everyone says?

[Sarah C]

is UA really as ****ty as everyone says?

I travelled with them back in August and didn't think they were that bad at all. I think it depends on the route you travel to be honest.

Back on topic, great to hear the news if it is true. It will be great seeing the 772 in the DL livery.

[Montague S]

is UA really as ****ty as everyone says?

well if you're comparing them with the other carriers across the pacific then yes, they are that ****ty. ;)

[Mick B]

I think Qantas will be much happier competing with any of the US carriers on the Pacific route instead of SQ or EK.

QF have a far superior product over UA (even before the introduction of the A380). How are the Delta 777s fitted out?

[Kelvin R]

Delta only have two classes, a standard Y product
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Delta-Air-Lines/Boeing-777-232-LR/1333663/M/

and a hybrid business/ first product with what appears to be the same seats as NZ/ CX etc
http://www.airliners.net/photo/Delta-Air-Lines/Boeing-777-232-LR/1346267/M/

[Andrew P]

and a hybrid business/ first product with what appears to be the same seats as NZ/ CX etc

by now this product is entieley business, anyting less is just premium economy

Banjo

[Gabriel S.]

is UA really as ****ty as everyone says?

It really depends.

UA's Y-class is, and for the foreseeable future always will be, terrible. No PTVs - say no more.

Now that the new flat-bed product is being rolled out, UA's C-class is once again competitive. I had the pleasure of trying it out on a recent trans-pac, and I was very impressed; it is definitely on the level of the Skybed, if not better. The thing that always lets UA down is soft product - f/a service, food, etc. It's hit or miss in this regard.

UA F-class is quite good seat-wise, especially with the new Suite entering service. Again, the unknown is the soft product.

It'll be interesting to see how DL's entry affects the trans-pac market. If UA can keep up it's new F/C refitting at its current pace and show customers how good the new seats are, they might be okay. Otherwise, DL will certainly jeopardise UA's survival.

[Stu M]

How reliable is this 'airlineroute' website?
Cant seem to find any other info on Delta flying to Sydney, including the Delta website.

[Michael Morrison]

How reliable is this 'airlineroute' website?
Cant seem to find any other info on Delta flying to Sydney, including the Delta website.

Pretty reliable.

The flights are bookable on nwa.com and are loaded in all the main GDS systems.

In terms of success, I wonder how many Skyteam members fly this route now and what carrier they choose? I would guess therse would be the first to switch to the new service.

[Jim Liu]

How reliable is this 'airlineroute' website?
Cant seem to find any other info on Delta flying to Sydney, including the Delta website.

If they're not loaded in the GDS, I won't even bother post them on my airlineroute blog. Just like people may be puzzled why I haven't post the aircraft shuffle for DL/NW next summer (which is posted on airliners.net with never-ending discussions) because it's wasn't loaded in the GDS.

[Sarah C]

According to the papers this morning, the flights are in the system to be booked and Delta will announce it today.

[Andrew P]

According to the papers this morning, the flights are in the system to be booked and Delta will announce it today.

plenty of seats available on the 2 July

Banjo

[Montague S]

http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=11199

here is the official announcement from DL.

you can book at Delta.com too.

[BradR]

Wow - nice news!

Wonder how this will effect V Australia. would be great to see the 2 codeshare!

They will be pretty stuffed if they dont.

I mean they will be up against STAR, SKYTEAM & ONEWORLD with no feed at Los Angeles. Not a recipe for success!

You could say the same thing about DL who have no oncarriage arrangements in Australia. I understand the VA will soon announce codesharing and Velocity partnership with VX which will give oncarriage from LAX to key ports like NYC and BOS.

Brad

[Michael Morrison]

You could say the same thing about DL who have no oncarriage arrangements in Australia. I understand the VA will soon announce codesharing and Velocity partnership with VX which will give oncarriage from LAX to key ports like NYC and BOS.

Brad

Interesting you say that as I have noticed the Virgin America links at the bottom of the Vaustralia website recently.

[Rob Fluke]

From smh.com.au

Delta to compete with Qantas on Sydney-LA routeScott Rochfort
December 19, 2008 - 10:19AM
The world's biggest carrier Delta Air Lines has confirmed its plans to launch flights from Los Angeles to Sydney in July next year, a move tipped to trigger the first serious air fare battle on the Qantas-dominated route in more than a decade.

Delta announced overnight it would commence a daily Boeing 777-200 flight on the route on July 1.

Combined with V Australia's plans to fly to LA in February, Delta's arrival is not only expected to boost the number of seats on the route but also dramatically lower airfares.

V Australia already appears to have pre-empted Delta's announcement by slashing its fares by 45 per cent through its $1199 fare (including taxes) sale which was launched on Wednesday.

Delta is yet to announce what introductory fares it will offer from Sydney. But from the US, Delta is offering one-way fares from LA to Sydney for US$499 ($730) including taxes.

The launch of the Sydney service will make Delta the first US airline, since the now defunct Pan Am, to fly to six continents.

Delta and V Australia's entry will end the cosy duopoly enjoyed by Qantas and United Airlines on the route since Air New Zealand suspended its Sydney to LA service in 2003.

But the US carrier's entry is set to frustrate V Australia's launch on the route.

V Australia has already pushed back its launch date from December to February, and Delta's entry, coupled with the global economic slowdown, could make it even tougher for the Virgin Blue long-haul airline to make a profit on the route.

Aside from flooding the route with more seats, Delta could capture more traffic given its membership of the world's second largest airline alliance, SkyTeam. Unlike V Australia, it is also a well-known brand in the US.

Delta's entry could also spell an end to the bumper profits and domination Qantas has enjoyed over the route for the past decade.

A spokesman for the federal Minister for Transport, Anthony Albanese, said the Government was yet to hold talks with the airline.

But thanks to an open skies treaty signed between Australia and the US early this year, Delta will have the right to start daily services almost immediately. United Airlines is the only other mainland US carrier to fly direct services on the route, from which Qantas makes an estimated 20 per cent of its profits.

The number of seats on the route is already set to increase on route even without V Australia and Delta's entry. Qantas has recently deployed its second A380 superjumbo on the route, which has 100 more seats than the 350-odd seat 747-400s it has used on the route since the early 1990s.

Delta's arrival has been a welcome boost to the flagging Australian tourism sector, which is bracing itself for a slump in international arrivals due to the global economic crisis. But coupled with the recent fall in the Australian dollar there are hopes it could inject some life into Australia's fourth largest source of international tourists.

"We're going to be doing it tough in 2009 so any additional competition on the LA-Sydney route will stimulate the market," said Tourism and Transport Forum executive director Olivia Wirth. Around 370,000 Americans visit Australia each year.

"At the moment we're seeing greater competition in airfares not only in Australia but worldwide," she said.

It is believed Delta's entry could be a byproduct of its merger in October with US rival Northwest Airlines, which made it the largest airline in the world.

As both airlines eliminate overlaps in their respective networks, they now have surplus aircraft to put on new routes, such as to Sydney.

Delta's entry could also thwart Singapore Airlines' hopes of ever gaining permission to fly the route. The Asian carrier has been attempting to gain entry on the route since 1996. Its appeals were knocked back by the Howard Government in 2007, when Virgin Blue signalled its intention to fly to LA. Early this month, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said he would continue to block Singapore Air from the route despite Australia having a free trade agreement with the South East Asian nation.

A Singapore Airlines commissioned economic survey in 2005 claimed the lack of competition on the LA route was costing Australia $126 million in lost tourism revenue each year. The Econtech report claimed the entry of just one daily service by a new competitor - against Qantas and United - would bring 48,000 extra US tourists to Australia annually. The report also found that airfares on the LA route were substantially higher than those on the highly competitive Sydney-London route, where more than 30 airlines compete.

The study claimed economy fares per kilometre on the Los Angeles route were 17 per cent more expensive than for flights to London. The report said the fare per kilometre to Los Angeles (12,000 kilometres from Sydney) was 8.9c compared with 7.6c for London (20,000 kilometres from Sydney).

Qantas declined to comment on Delta's entry and is yet to announce any new seat sales to LA.


Flukey

[Mike W]

That's great news. Can't wait to see 77L in DL colour!

Same here. I wouldn't mind seeing the repainted former NW 744's here as well at some point. (The 747 being my all time favourite type and unfortunately I fear their numbers into SYD are on the wane)

[Ben W]

DL will do fine on the route, its UA that will suffer the most.

UA's feed into LA is too strong to fail. If one of the four fail it will be V Australia without a connecting network in the US. Delta isn't super strong into LA either to be honest! UA and Qantas own the route because they have the feed. Delta will do ok, but I wouldn't expect a cut from the main two on the route other than possible seasonal routes not being added in coming years.

Just my .02 cents.

[Marty H]

UA's feed into LA is too strong to fail. If one of the four fail it will be V Australia without a connecting network in the US. Delta isn't super strong into LA either to be honest! UA and Qantas own the route because they have the feed. Delta will do ok, but I wouldn't expect a cut from the main two on the route other than possible seasonal routes not being added in coming years.

Just my .02 cents.

Will be connecting with Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic so there throws your .02 out of the window.

When it comes down to onboard product UA is left high and dry.

[Ben W]

Will be connecting with Virgin America and Virgin Atlantic so there throws your .02 out of the window.

When it comes down to onboard product UA is left high and dry.

Virgin America goes almost nowhere over here and Virgin Atlantic is pretty much the same.......and is an international airline.....which won't drive more than a small trickle of traffic onto V Australia across the Pacific. They will have a small network within the Virgin Group, but nothing like the other three have.

Will be very interesting to see how this plays out! My money is still on Qantas and United for long term survival.

[Andrew M]

I posted this on another forum but I think it's a good discussion starter :)

As an Aussie, based in Melbourne this is good news based on "competiton" etc etc.

However, I am yet to see/hear any decent launch fares !

Comparing some September/October fares for SYD-LAX-SYD

Delta $2700
Qantas $2714
United $2700
Air NZ $2400
V Australia $1226
Air Canada (SYD-YVR) $2900!!!!!!!!! (I have put this in here as lots of Aussies do head to Canada, and it can be another way of getting to the USA)

It seems that at this stage, Delta are going to try to be priced at the higher end of the price bracket.

Their main problem is goign to be their lack of alliance with One World or Star.

Delta - No reward program that help the majority of people down here, unless you fly in the USA alot. Even then AA/QF would be better in most cases. They will have the same product as NZ basically, but no reward programs and no cheap fares, yet....

Qantas will always be popular here, as they have a very extensive domestic network and fly to most countries overseas AND are part of One World

Air NZ will always do OK, but as they dont' fly in Australia and all flights go via AKL this hurts them. They do well due to their great in-flight product and service and being part of Star Alliance. NZ gets people who like Star Alliance but dont' like UA.

V Australia has been hurt by the delays in their new 777's which has meant thousands of people have had their plans changed to other airline. People will now be hesitant to book them again in future. They are linked to Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Blue (who fly extensively domesticallyaround Australia) They have their own reward program which is quite good and AMEX points can be redeems for all V/Virgin flights. They will do well over the long term and will do better than Air NZ due to direct flights from SYD/BNE to LAX. They will continue to have sales that will usually force Qantas and others to respond, at the moment $1200 return for most of next year, but that is based on poor bookings due to launch delays more than anything.

United - They will still do OK only as they are part of Star Alliance, and will get people who refuse to fly Qantas. People who have a choice will fly NZ though. I have talked quite a few people into trying NZ instead and they haven't looked back. Yes an extra hour or two via AKL but a much better product and cheaper than UA.

Air Canada - Used to be cheap flying SYD-YVR but their prices have gone through the roof lately! A good product when it works inflight.


So all this being said, Delta will find it hard to find a place in the Aussie market. Qantas is pushing their A380's hard and even the 2nd A380 arrival got far more press than Delra launching their flights here. Delta will need to get travel agents to book for them ASAP or they are going to struggle. Most travel agents push Qantas and that will never change.

I wish Delta all the luck, and I say they are goign to need it. Again as a Aussie I see no benefit in flying Deltra and would fly NZ, VAustralia before thinking about flying DL

Also Delta has no onward flights/connections out of SYD, so passengers will have to be put on Qantas or Virgin Blue :eek:

It is good for those living in the USA as they now can choose between Delta and UA if they wish to support their own countries airline.

[Gerald A]

My rego list of Delta B777-232LRs

Registration Type Hex Selcal Line MSN Operator Status/Fate
N701DN B.777-232(LR) A9589D AB-CD 697 29740 Delta AL Active
N702DN B.777-232(LR) A95C54 AB-CE 704 29741 Delta AL Active
N703DN B.777-232(LR) A9600B 32222 Delta AL On order
N704DK B.777-232(LR) A963BF 29739 Delta AL On order
N705DN B.777-232(LR) A96779 29742 Delta AL On order
N706DN B.777-232(LR) A96B30 30440 Delta AL On order
N707DN B.777-232(LR) A96EE7 39091 Delta AL On order
N708DN B.777-232(LR) A9729E 39254 Delta AL On order

[Anthony T]

and fly to most countries overseas

I don't think so, at last count QF operated to the following countries :
NZ, Argentina, USA, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Phillipines, Indonesia,
India, Germany, UK & South Africa. That's 13 out of 194 countries including Vatican City & Kosovo.

Anthony T

[James Smith]

...also New Caledonia.

[Andrew M]

I don't think so, at last count QF operated to the following countries :
NZ, Argentina, USA, Japan, China, Thailand, Singapore, Phillipines, Indonesia,
India, Germany, UK & South Africa. That's 13 out of 194 countries including Vatican City & Kosovo.

Anthony T

Yeh - I was talking about the choice of carriers out of Australia

Qantas is "our" carrier and has the biggest appeal to Aussies

[NickN]

I have always wondered why Qantas doesn't operate a service to Italy. We have a huge population of Italian families here plus it would be a popular destination for outbound tourism and I am sure Italians would love to come to Australia for holidays. Any reason Qantas don't fly there?

Also add maybe France to that list as well.

[Anthony T]

Any reason Qantas don't fly there?


Yep, Emirates

Merry Xmas

[Montague S]

I have always wondered why Qantas doesn't operate a service to Italy. We have a huge population of Italian families here plus it would be a popular destination for outbound tourism and I am sure Italians would love to come to Australia for holidays. Any reason Qantas don't fly there?

Also add maybe France to that list as well.

same with Athens.

[Nigel C]

Well Alitalia and Olympic used to fly here, but obviously the returns weren't big enough so they pulled out.

[Daniel M]

I have always wondered why Qantas doesn't operate a service to Italy. We have a huge population of Italian families here plus it would be a popular destination for outbound tourism and I am sure Italians would love to come to Australia for holidays. Any reason Qantas don't fly there?

Also add maybe France to that list as well.

Using that ethic, QF should start services to Beirut as well?

[Jack B]

Qantas has had some very interesting destinations, including Serbia and Harare

They also had flights to Paris and Rome up until around 5 years ago, I believe

[Tim C]

Qantas has had some very interesting destinations, including Serbia and Harare

They also had flights to Paris and Rome up until around 5 years ago, I believe

Indeed they did, We all remember the famous QF 743 incident @ FCO.

[Radi K]

I have always wondered why Qantas doesn't operate a service to Italy. We have a huge population of Italian families here plus it would be a popular destination for outbound tourism and I am sure Italians would love to come to Australia for holidays. Any reason Qantas don't fly there?

Also add maybe France to that list as well.

One big reason apart from demand is that the Greeks, Italians etc are cheap skates! (don't worry I have authority on the subject :rolleyes: ) They want the cheapest ticket to get from a-b. They won't buy Biz or 1st class tix.

Economics 101, Airlines make money from the pointy end, not a full Y class.

[Mike W]

I have always wondered why Qantas doesn't operate a service to Italy. We have a huge population of Italian families here plus it would be a popular destination for outbound tourism and I am sure Italians would love to come to Australia for holidays. Any reason Qantas don't fly there?

Also add maybe France to that list as well.

I know for a fact they used to (or their aircraft did) as I saw an example there (742 I think from memory) back in 1989 as I exited a CX flight in Rome from Hong Kong.

[NickN]

Using that ethic, QF should start services to Beirut as well?

The Lebanese would have to be one of the smaller ethnic groups and at present getting there isn't all that bad everything considered. I would have thought Italy or France would be more popular thats all.

Just a question, if someone wanted to fly to Paris or Rome what route/stopovers would they have to make, and how many hours are the flights?

[Daniel F]

Just a question, if someone wanted to fly to Paris or Rome what route/stopovers would they have to make, and how many hours are the flights?

If flying Qantas, to Paris would be 1 stop (plus 1 tech stop in Asia) in London then onto Paris on a BA-operated codeshare.

To Rome, 1 stop in Hong Kong then onto Rome on a Cathay Pacific-operated codeshare.

[Mike W]

Couldn't you do something similar with Paris as with Rome. Doesn't CX fly into Paris as well?

[Daniel F]

Actually, yes, Qantas has a codeshare with Air France so its possible to do a one-stop via HK or Singapore.

(Btw, I am only considering Qantas options since the thread was discussing why Qantas doesn't fly to those destinations. Most of the Asian carriers provide a one-stop servicde to most cities in Europe from Australia)

[Mike W]

I thought you may be, that's why I asked about CX and if they go to Paris as you used them as an example for Rome via code share.

[NickN]

Thanks for the info guys I appreciate it. I was thinking to myself there had to be a quicker way to Rome other than via Heathrow. Same as for Paris.

[Tim Bowrey]

Anyone explain this? There is no arrival time or anything seeing as though this is more than a week early.

Flight # Destination Scheduled Estimated Check In Desks
DL16 Los Angeles 24/6/2009 5:00pm 24/6/2009 5:00pm B07

http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/International-Departures.html?date=24/06/2009&results=1000&carrier=Delta%20Air%20Lines (http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/International-Departures.html?date=24/06/2009&results=1000&carrier=Delta%20Air%20Lines)

[Brian Wilkes]

Dont panic I'm sure you will get a pic of when its arrives:eek:

[Grant Smith]

And I pity the poor screeners at JP & A.net when they do :eek:

[Tim Bowrey]

Dont panic I'm sure you will get a pic of when its arrives:eek:
Dam right I will!

And I pity the poor screeners at JP & A.net when they do :eek:

I dont get it, but I think everyone will want to upload it if thats what you mean.

[Chris Thurtell]

Dont panic I'm sure you will get a pic of when its arrives:eek:

Geez Brian, we better get up to Sydney and get photos so we can upload it first!

[Tim Bowrey]

get photos so we can upload it first!

Not if I do 1st!:D

[Lee G]

Tim,

This could be something as simple as SACL testing the Flight Information Displays at SIT for correct graphics and info. However .........:confused:

[Deni G]

So did Delta leave LAX & touchdown @ SYD ????

[Gerard M]

I'd say its due in on Friday and the 1st is its departure from the US. COuld be wrong but nothing on Syd website till the 3rd

http://www.sydneyairport.com.au/SACL/images/flight-logos/DL.gif DL17 Los Angeles 3/7/2009
6:35am 3/7/2009
6:35am -na-However it seems to have departed LA on time.

Los Angeles (LAX) (http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/airport_information/airport_maps/los_angeles_lax/index.jsp)
Terminal 5 10:35pm
01 Jul On Time
Sydney (SYD) 6:35am
03 Jul On Time

Flight aware has the flight being operated by Boeing 757-200 (twin-jet) (B752/Q (http://flightaware.com/live/aircrafttype/B752)). Thats got to be an error right?

[Andrew McLaughlin]

It won't depart LA until 10.35pm local their time Wednesday, which is 3.35pm our time Thursday...still another 23.25 hours away...:rolleyes:

[Grahame Hutchison]

The Delta web site shows daily departures from LAX starting on the 1st July at 10.35pm, and arriving in SYD 2 days later at 6.35am. The service will be operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.

[lloyd fox]

Yep due Friday into SYD.

Just check the regos over the 1st 4 flights as i have been advised 2 are 772(268 seats) on Sat 4 july and Monday 6 july and all other flights are 772 LR(278 seats).

Not sure of the reason and this info was old so may have changed.

[Gerald A]

Its departure info is, delayed at LAX by 30mins.

[Andrew M]

Well at least they are starting off with a delay out of LAX.

Nothing new there!

[Michael Atkin]

Hopefully if it stays behind schedule we might be able to catch it arriving in daylight, or morning light i should say.

[Paul Hunter]

Delta 17 ended up departing about 1 hour 17 mins late judging by the flight plan. Now due into Sydney about 7.15am.

This time will change dependant on enroute winds and flow control into Sydney.

N708DN Boeing 777-232(LR )is the bird operating the flight.

Only had its first flight at Boeing Field on the 13th May 2009.

Regards.

[Grant Smith]

Only had its first flight at Boeing Field on the 13th May 2009.

Regards.

And a fine day it was too!

:cool:

[Andrew McLaughlin]

So which one of you kiddies was the first to upload your pic to JetPhotos/Airliners???

[Nigel C]

I'll admit, I'm surprised the board hasn't already been littered with the 'first' pics.

[Nick W.]

Launch was a fairly low-key affair. Bongo drums, a few PR people, speeches and cake.

Everything went smoothly :)

[Mark Grima]

I'll admit, I'm surprised the board hasn't already been littered with the 'first' pics.

I too Nig, I just logged on to check it out and no pics yet!

[Nigel C]

They're all still probably clambering over each other on propspotters.net!:D

[Kieran Wells]

Ok, So i'll wetten your appetites with a couple of photos from this morning of Delta..

[Gerard M]

Great shots Kieran. Looks good in the morning light. Can't believe it took nearly 10hours for the "first" photos to come up ;).

[Kieran Wells]

thanks Gerard, Definately were spectacular! I had to go to work after spotting this morning - not sure what the others were doing, but am surprised mine were first up. None yet up on JP or a.net..

[Craig Murray]

Sorry for the late reply guys, I'm only just back from Honolulu. I chartered a Gulfstream G-V SP out of Hawaii in the very early hours of this morning and got this awesome night shot of N708DN as it passed of the tropical paradise of Hawaii.

I really hope you guys like it, I think it was worth the effort!

http://craigmurray.gallery.netspace.net.au/albums/album01/DAL17_030709.jpg

I've got it in the queue at Jetphotos, I hope they have a sense of humour!

:D

[Stephen Brown]

Oh Mr Murray, you've done it again!!!!! A classic to be remembered.

[Grant Smith]

Craig,

Can I ask, what type of lens were using to get that shot?

:eek:

[Craig Murray]

Thanks for the kind words guys.

Grant I used the Canon 28-135mm IS lense with an IR and Night Diffusion filter to ensure I got the ground lighting right.

Glad you like the shot :)

[Grant Smith]

Taking creative flair to a new level, very artistic indeed..

In a class of it's own, that's for sure!

[Andrew McLaughlin]

And THAT folks is why we call him THE Craig Murray! :D

[Lee G]

Nigel,

One of the reasons why there weren't any first pics on the board is that you graciously opened up 25 for us and we were having such a ball that we forgot all about posting .... :D

The conga lines up the taxiway were great! At one stage I almost forgot that there was a Delta departure!

[Gerard M]

Tomorrow flight actually departed LAX on time and is due into Sydney at an adjusted time of 6:51 (or 6:40 depending on where you look), 16minutes late, into gate 53 again.

[Adam P.]

The conga lines up the taxiway were great!

Oh no they weren't!!!


Today was a good reason for why airline schedules are known as 'entertaining works of paperback fiction'... can I have the parallels back please?? :eek:

[Lee G]

Understand totally - it also would have been hell for the crew with the self loading cargo having a whine about how long they were sitting on the deck.

However sitting at the end of 25 was pretty amazing today.......

[Kieran Wells]

However sitting at the end of 25 was pretty amazing today.......

Definately have to agree - especially being there when the EK A380 took off and the SIA 777 arrived...Shame the camera lost all battery when the QF 744 came in inbetween, and shame i had to be at miranda for a 10am meeting...I've added a few more photos to whet your appetites of what it was like..

[Nigel C]

Craig, that is a true masterpiece! You should be so proud!

BTW, hiring the G-IV was a real stroke of genius on your part...wich I'd thought of it!

[Nigel C]

Nigel,

One of the reasons why there weren't any first pics on the board is that you graciously opened up 25 for us and we were having such a ball that we forgot all about posting .... :D

Lee, I take no responsibility for that...I'm on days off!:D

[Tim Bowrey]

The conga lines up the taxiway were great!

Oh no they weren't!!!

Oh yes they were!!!

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i191/Marlb0ro/Tims%20Stuff/a6ede.jpg

[Mike W]

Back to Delta for a mo, (I enjoyed the photos and Banter BTW), I was at the Airport yesterday and caught the Delta 777 arriving and it was so nondescript, I almost didn't see it.

I'm glad to see yet aother airline flying here but is there a more boring livery anywhere? :rolleyes:

To think they're swallowed Northwest and their nice (if not outstanding) livery is a crying shame.

[Erik H. Bakke]

Well, in danger of bringing this really OP (mods delete/move, if required), there is a certain other US carrier on the route whose livery is at least as boring in my eyes.

Split off a separate thread about liveries?

[Mike W]

^ Off you go, I'm in.

At least the "other" carrier is distinctive. Especially the old grey version and although it does look a bit like a battleship, it is easy to recognise. :D

[Sam Chui]

For one, I beg to differ. I found the Delta/UA livery good to photograph. Perhaps this comes from a photographer's point of view. Again, anything new paint is a great subject to photograph. :D

Photo from yesterday takeoff, it left gate early at 0919 LT.

http://www.samchuiphotos.com/DL3.jpg

http://www.samchuiphotos.com/DL1.jpg

http://www.samchuiphotos.com/DL2.jpg

[Dan Collins]

Beautiful photos Sam! I agree, a new livery is great to capture.

But honestly I don't think there's anything wrong with either livery coming from the US :)

Was going to head down this morning but my need for sleep won out :(

Dan

[Mike W]

Those photos are a credit to you Sam, not the Airline's livery. Nice shots. :cool:

[Sarah C]

Sam.......one word, wow! Great photos as usual!

[Bob C]

Great shots Sam - where were you shooting from ?

[Nigel C]

The Control Tower 'balcony'.

[Tim Bowrey]

How is anybody aloud up there with all the security these days? Like even if you do know someone, how is it possible to get up there?:confused:

Tim - Please PM Sam - mod

[Gabriel S.]

Hmm, Delta's white is too bright for me... :rolleyes:

[Gerard M]

Just noticed on this mornings 16right that todays delta flight was Deta 09. Why wasn't Delta 16 used or is this a different flight? Actually just looking at it again and there appears to be DL09 and DL17 this morning.

[Grahame Hutchison]

Gerard,

The DL09 will just be a bad transmission as the flight numbers are normally 6 digits.

[Radi K]

DL17 is running 4 hours late and will arrive at 1030am tomo...might be good for pics.

[Paul Hunter]

N707DN operating the flight.

Regards.

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

DELTA is reducing Atlanta - Los Angeles - Sydney service to 6 weekly, from 13SEP09 to 07DEC09.

ATL/LAX Departure is not operating on Day 7, and SYD departure is cancelled on Day 2.

[Daniel M]

Wow - VA is performing quite badly. 57% seat factors would equal some pretty bad losses...

82% for QF and 78% for UA in the current climate is very good...

Business Daily (http://business.smh.com.au/business/two-weeks-on-and-delta-is-already-cutting-flights-20090717-do76.html)


It's figures for one month Andrew? How can you suggest they are peforming badly from 1 month of figures? Perhaps wait till some substantial information is available, then you can take your monthly hit at the VB Group...

[Steve Jones]

The QF load factors are no doubt helped by the fact that they cancelled and consolidated a number of services, something that they have the luxury to do with their multiple frequencies.

[Jason H]

...and their multiple configuration a/c to suit the seats that are sold

[Michael Morrison]

[FONT="Arial"]Wow - VA is performing quite badly. 57% seat factors would equal some pretty bad losses...

Actually the load was 51% for inbound and 62% for outbound in the month of April. Not bad considering it is their 2nd full month of operating.

I'd expect May (traditionally a poor month) to be similar, however I expect the June figures to be quite high. Their flights came out full on several occasions and loads were quite high from what I have heard.

For those interested here is a link to the stats

http://www.bitre.gov.au/info.aspx?ResourceId=211&NodeId=103

[Andrew M]

Daily flights with Delta were bound to be reduced!

[Seth Jaworski]

My VA1 flight on July 8 appeared (to me) to have about a 75% load. The crew and product were fantastic, so I hope that this is the beginning of increased patronage on VA.