Introduction:
I booked this trip a while ago, back in February when Jetstar had a really good sale. Brisbane to Newcastle was about $30, I also checked Virgin Australia as they were now using Fokker 100s leased from Alliance to fly to Cairns, Proserpine, Rockhampton and Newcastle. And they also had a sale, $59 one way. So I booked it for Saturday August 4. I would be flying on Virgin Australia flight DJ1102 operated by Alliance departing Brisbane at 0920 and arriving into Newcastle at 1035. And I would be returning on Jetstar flight JQ484 departing Newcastle at 1355 and arriving in Brisbane at 1505. My friend Josh would also be joining me.
Brisbane Airport:
Got to the airport at around 0730 and met up with Josh at the Virgin Australia end of the terminal. We passed through security with no issues and we had a look around to see what was in Brisbane today.
VH-VBY arrives from Melbourne
VH-NXD taxies out for a departure to Alice Springs
Six Virgin tails, four old and two new
Alliance Fokker 70 VH-QQX after arriving from Emerald
VH-VBY getting ready to go back to Melbourne
About an hour before departure, VH-XWR was towed to our gate which was unexpected. Virgin use VH-XWM and VH-XWN for their Fokker 100 services but they decided to use a different one for our flight! Didn’t bother me because the only Fokker 100 I had been on previously was VH-FKF. So a new rego for me!
XWR just before boarding
Boarding commenced on time so Josh and I made our way onto the Fokker!
August 4, 2012
Virgin Australia (Alliance)
DJ1102
BNE-NTL
VH-XWR F100
Seat 19G
I had 19F next to me free with somebody in 19E and lucky Josh had the whole row 15 to himself!
The view from 19G, not as good as row 18 which was unfortunately already taken when I checked in.
Lined up on RWY19 for an on-time departure
Josh took a video of the takeoff. Absolutely love the sound of those engines!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILd3_...ature=g-user-u
Passing the international terminal
Passing the Gateway Bridges
Right hand turn with Archerfield Airport visible in the distance
Cruising at 32000 feet
Overhead the town of Armidale with Armidale Airport visible on the left
Making our way down to Williamtown
Interior
