Final 737 Flight (6/9/2015)

[Altair]

For those NZ domestic flyers you may not know but the final 737 revenue flights are today.

NZ405 AKL0700 – 0800WLG 733
NZ412 WLG0835 – 0935AKL 733
NZ441 AKL1050 – 1150WLG 733
NZ448 WLG1230 – 1330AKL 733
NZ521 AKL1410 – 1530CHC 733
NZ532 CHC1635 – 1755AKL 733
NZ557 AKL1835 – 1955CHC 733

This will end about 40 years of 737 domestic service in NZ with a number of airlines.

 

[Mattg]

I just flew out of WLG on Air NZ at 08:40... (to CHC). Saw the 737 parked at WLG, and had no idea that this was the case!

I rather liked those (old) birds.

 

[under the radar]

Imagine the utter disgust if 733s where still flying around OZ by a major carrier . Just goes to prove, it's not how 'old' an aircraft is, it's how well maintained it is, that is most important .

 

[Flying Fox]

Imagine the utter disgust if 733s where still flying around OZ by a major carrier . Just goes to prove, it's not how 'old' an aircraft is, it's how well maintained it is, that is most important .

True.

However, comfort (cabin & seat fit out) is important to me and I found the QF 737-400s much less comfortable then the current 737-800s.

 

[KiwiSurfer]

I am flying on NZ 557 tonight. Is there anyone else here also doing this flight?

 

[Austman]

Imagine the utter disgust if 733s where still flying around OZ by a major carrier . Just goes to prove, it's not how 'old' an aircraft is, it's how well maintained it is, that is most important .

And all of NZ's 5 x 767s that are still operational are older than their final 737. Imagine if 767s were still flying in Australia!!

 

[straitman]

And all of NZ's 5 x 767s that are still operational are older than their final 737. Imagine if 767s were still flying in Australia!!

It would be great.

If you recall jb747 explained what the problem was with the 767s that Qantas was operating. They were essentially long haul a/s being used on short haul and as such were not as efficient as was necessary. With a quick internal refit they could have been made look new from a pax perspective.

 

[Austman]

It would be great. If you recall jb747 explained what the problem was with the 767s that Qantas was operating. They were essentially long haul a/s being used on short haul and as such were not as efficient as was necessary. With a quick internal refit they could have been made look new from a pax perspective.

(I was joking) The main reason why what seems to be a perfectly good, even very popular aircraft, gets removed from a fleet is, of course, a financial one.

 

[Mattg]

I am flying on NZ 557 tonight. Is there anyone else here also doing this flight?

How was the flight? Did Air NZ do anything special for it?

 

[KiwiSurfer]

How was the flight? Did Air NZ do anything special for it?

It was a uneventful flight apart from the following special things:
- Water salute at AKL prior to departure (didn't see one on arrival at CHC)
- They made muffins with "Farewell 737" on them and handed them out
- They gave out extra drinks to all pax to celebrate (which seemed to be in addition to the normal drinks service)
- Gave out cards with a picture of the Boeing 737-300 (ZK-NGA)
- Pax clapped when the plane landed

 

[Mattg]

It was a uneventful flight apart from the following special things:
- Water salute at AKL prior to departure (didn't see one on arrival at CHC)
- They made muffins with "Farewell 737" on them and handed them out
- They gave out extra drinks to all pax to celebrate (which seemed to be in addition to the normal drinks service)
- Gave out cards with a picture of the Boeing 737-300 (ZK-NGA)
- Pax clapped when the plane landed

Seems like significantly less fanfare than the final Qantas 767 flight! But at least they recognised the occasion. Were most people on board because it was the last flight, or just regular passengers travelling to Christchurch?

 

[KiwiSurfer]

Seems like significantly less fanfare than the final Qantas 767 flight! But at least they recognised the occasion. Were most people on board because it was the last flight, or just regular passengers travelling to Christchurch?

There were some people who went for the occasion of the final 737. But there were many bemused-looking people who were surprised to find out they were flying on the last 737 but they seemed to enjoy the ocassion with the muffin and the drinks!

Out of interest, what did QF do for the final 767 flight?

 

[Mattg]

Out of interest, what did QF do for the final 767 flight?

Quite a lot, actually: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lights-for-the-b767-63058-27.html#post1170448

 

[KiwiSurfer]

Quite a lot, actually: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....lights-for-the-b767-63058-27.html#post1170448

Wow that's a pretty good send-off. Perhaps NZ might try and do something like that for the last NZ 767... One can only hope! Thanks for the link.

 

[NZflygirl]

I suspect the beech aircraft will exit before the 767s (god willing), but I can't really imagine people rushing to buy the last seats?

 

[Altair]

I suspect the beech aircraft will exit before the 767s (god willing), but I can't really imagine people rushing to buy the last seats?

IIRC NZ announced B1900D leaving in April or August 2016.
I do feel sad to see them go as they were great to fly in and see the pilots at work and really enjoy the landings in WLG when there was a strong NorWester blowing!:mrgreen: