According to Routes Online, CX will once again revise its fleet to YVR. Since the current replacement of the jumbo 744s by the 777-300ERs for the period of 01 May to 30 June 2012 (daily), the 777-300ERs will again operate the 838/837 route from September to October 2012, but only for Wed's, Fri's and Sun's. This time, the 777-300ER marked as 77W D, is a 3-class configuration with new Business, Premium Economy, and new Economy Cabins. It'll will be the first time that the 838/837 (previously 838/839) operates without First Class in 30 years. The evening 888/889 route will remain unchanged at this moment.
The up side is the use of newer generation fleet (777-300ER with Premium Economy and new cabins), while the down side is the loss of 747s at YVR. Back the good old days, when the Jumbo was still a hit, 747s filled up many gates. I remember, JAL's 744s, Oasis Hong Kong's 744s, Air New Zealand's 744s, British Airways' 744s, China Airline's 744s, Lufthansa's 744s, EVA's 744s, Korean Air's 744s, and probably many more (oh, right, Air Canada's and Canadian's). Well, at least for these two months, there'll only be BA's and EVA's 744s, plus CX's 748Fs, which only comes once or twice a week. I do understand that newer generations are more efficient and green, but if the 744s are dumped away, either fly more 747-8i's and A380s over! Hey, YVR is built and expanded for all you babies! (Well, yes, demand is what's holding all you guys back...).
CX 839 - Turning onto 26L - Depart to HKG - 01 May 2010
CX 839 - Turning onto 26L - Depart to HKG - 01 May 2010
This is the last posting of this week's Memories of KLM MD-11 at YVR!
Approaching YVR 08L - 04 June 2010
If a picture means a million words, then perhaps a video could mean a trillion words ... Check-out
some inflight clips of the KLM MD-11 from AMS to YVR! Thanks to these
people who recorded and shared these great old memories!
(A
2009 Flight, KL681, created by MRKVA12) - Looks like it's still the
old-style inflight entertainment system. Flight attendents seem
extremely friendly, the KLM style :) !
(KL
681, 16 October 2011 flight, created by newreivax214) - Starts off with
a few great photos, and then to the real video from take-off to landing
on 26R! Love the shadow at 03:00 ...
Pretty
contrary that I love the plane so much but I've never been on one.
But, hopefully in the near future, before the KLM MD-11 are completely
faced off by 2014, I'll get on one!
And btw, if you want to know how to say Koninklijke Luchtvaart Maatschappij, let me know and I'll teach you how ...
It is actually pretty convenient to plane spot around YVR, especially when it is not beside any highways and is usually in low vehicle traffic. What can be further improved to accommodate Plane Spotters like me are designated Outdoor Observation Decks around the airport field. There should be one by end of 26L, 26R, 08L, and 08R. And of course, this is only my perspective as a Plane Spotter role; the business operation side is another matter.
If you've never been to the fairly new outdoor observation deck by the South Terminal, go check it out. Not the best location, but high enough to avoid the fence blocking your lens. Basically, you can't really see both ends of 26L, meaning you can't really take good shots of planes either touching down or taking-off, but mainly seeing planes speeding along 26L.
Well, looks like last year's good old plane spotting spot is no longer available. It was close by the end of 26R, just west of UPS where is it currently the construction site of Canada Post. An excellent spot where planes just touch-down right in front of you ... good memories!
Looking back in 2011 ...
23 April 2011 - Touched-down on 26R (The Used-to-be Good Spot)
23 April 2011 - Touched-down on 26R (The Used-to-be Good Spot)
23 April 2011 - Taxi to Gate (Oh look, it's Korean 772 too)
01 May 2011 - Turning onto 26L for Take-off
12 August 2011 - Airside Trip (Kiss the MD-11!)
Stay tune for more of "Memories of KLM MD-11 at YVR" week!
