A Fiji Airways 737 is now a long way from home after a three-stop transpacific and transatlantic adventure to the United Kingdom.
Fiji Airways 737 Makes Multi-Stop Journey To UK
DQ-FJF, a 737-700 affectionately known as “Foxtrot” to pilots and engineers, has left the Fiji Airways fleet after 22 years. Its lease was up and with the pandemic also depressing traffic in the South Pacific, Fiji Airways did not renew the lease.
But how to get the aircraft back to its new home in the UK from Fiji? That involved a multi-stop adventure via Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Bangor, Maine before final arrival at its Teeside, UK (MME).
Fiji Airways shared about the journey on Twitter:
Last Friday we bid farewell to one of the longest serving aircraft in our fleet. DQ-FJF “Foxtrot”, also known as Island of Koro, left after 22 years of service. It had reached the end of its lease period with Fiji Airways. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/HuxaeH8sQZ
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) September 21, 2020
During its time in our fleet, the aircraft accumulated over 66087:36 total aircraft hours, & operated 23,232 cycles. Many of our colleagues have memories of Foxtrot over the years, and took time last week to say their goodbyes. This included #Engineering #FlightOps Teams. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/PWuQLdsLIn
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) September 21, 2020
It had a long journey to its new home, departing @NadiAirport for @flyLAXairport via #HNLAirport on Friday. After an overnight layover, the aircraft flew to Bangor, Maine and then across to Teesside, UK. (3/4)
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) September 21, 2020
We thank our four experienced B737 Pilots and two of our engineering crew who flew the aircraft on its final journey from Fiji. (4/4) #Aircraft #FijiAirways #Fiji #AVGeek #boeing #pilots #Aviation #Engineering pic.twitter.com/hftLtnwIhr
— Fiji Airways (@FijiAirways) September 21, 2020
Wonder which airline they will use to get home?
CONCLUSION
It’s not easy returning a 737 from Fiji. But three stops later, the aircraft is on the other side of the world.
image: Fiji Airways
Hopefully a OW so they can have an easy connection.
Yippeee! I guessed two of three stops. I wondered whether Honolulu and east was used or Singapore and west. I decided that east would use less fuel.
My guesses were
Honolulu (correct!)
Seattle (wrong!) selected because of long 11,901 ft. runway but easier overnight unlike Grant International/Moses Lake, WA or Victorville, CA
Bangor (correct!)
Well I guess HNL and LAX are where FJ already have logistics and infrastructure for services and billing, and BGR has expertise in serving one-time customers.
Very interesting story and by chance I saw the plane at my local airport, Teesside International on Monday afternoon and wondered what a plane from Fiji was doing there. Here is a photo I took.
https://i.postimg.cc/FzRGCg04/20200921-193614.jpg
Wow that is one distinguished service record.
Very interesting story. Saw the plane at my local airport, Teesside International, on Monday afternoon and wondered what a plane from Fiji was doing there.
Here is a picture I took.
https://i.postimg.cc/FzRGCg04/20200921-193614.jpg
Only the tail visible today, Friday, at a very windy Teesside Airport as plane moved to hanger.
https://i.postimg.cc/hjQCxK1L/20200925-145345.jpg
https://ibb.co/DzCRqxw
Also coverage of the story in local newsaper The Northern Echo.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18746185.fiji-aircraft-never-flown-europe-makes-last-flight-teesside/