maximum range of an A320 ?

[Brad Varney]

Thanks a lot martin! yeah I thought it had to do with speed, the aircraft had taken off about a minute later and their were no flaps.

[Andrew Johnson]

Originally Posted by Anthony C

Strategic are planning on using the A320 BNE-DPS from the end of the year.

Seat maps on their website when you go to book a flight is the give away.

does that mean that their seating config of something like 152 total seats, allow them to do it nonstop, cf. JQ 179-180 which couldn't do it.

[Max C]

Seat map seems to show 8J144Y.

Still seems like a long way in an A320.

Might only be temporary until more A330's arrive?

[Andrew Johnson]

so with a full load VC might be struggling & have to do a tech stop if winds aren't favourable (ala QF DFW/BNE) ?

OR severly restrict checked baggage ?

Had a quick look at VC schedule from 1DEC in CRS & it shows 2 x 330's + 2 x 320's BNE/DPS, but 4 x 320's DPS/BNE.

[Arthur T]

I am curious to know why both A319 and B737-7 can have their Long Range variant, where the most popular variant A320/B737-8 cannot? Is there any technical restriction to have more fuel tanks etc.?

Furthermore I heard from Boeing that the newer B737NG is 7% more efficient than the older ones. Therefore I am curious if Virgin deploys the silver B738s to BNE/MEL - DPS route can enable the payload restriction be lifted?

PS: I would really wish DJ would somehow launch CNS/DRW - SIN to connect with Singapore Airlines also compete against Jetstar/Qantas with their B738s.

[Max C]

Strategic flights from BNE-DPS will have a fuel stop in DRW.

[Radi K]

@ Arthur, no the new variants still have the same burn. The B737MAX has a significant reduction in fuel consumption (or at least Boeing says so, based on the new engines). The Y series virgin jets are still mostly 26K-CFM56 engines like most of the other 800Ws. The new CFM56-7BE engine has just started coming out on new Boeing deliveries (just a few weeks ago, which gives a 2% decrease in fuel burn).

The new ones however have short field performance kits installed as standard. This improves take off and landing but not enroute performance. So the payload restriction will still be in place. These operations are normally tank capacity limited. Meaning the heavier they are, the more fuel is needed to be burnt. However because the aeroplane can only take 20.5T of fuel, at some point you must reduce the zero fuel weight to achieve a smaller burn figure. This is particularly a problem in winter with strong transcontinental jet streams or in summer when weather in Bali or Surabaya (normal virgin alternate) dictates weather holding requirements. In these situations you either leave payload behind or tech stop for more fuel. (aka QF8) .. like I already mentioned, its the tank capacity reason that the 320 can't do it direct unless they are very light.

I'm not sure why Boeing never made an -800 passenger version with auxiliary tanks. You can get it in the BBJ version (BBJ2).

[Andrew Johnson]

Originally Posted by Anthony C

Strategic flights from BNE-DPS will have a fuel stop in DRW.

in CRS VC's BNE/DPS/BNE are shown as nonstop in both directions.

A stop in DRW would be expensive if talk of high DRW charges are true.

[Max C]

Promo email from Strategic had 'BNE-DPS flight will stop via DRW' or words to that effect.

Now also listed on their website
http://www.flystrategic.com.au/Plan/..._Schedule.aspx

[Justin L]

Didn't Air Paradise when they were around operate A320s on the ADL-DPS route nonstop? That would be further than BNE-DPS surely?