Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-VBY to Depart Australia Today For Good (????)

Sad news as a popular aircraft for aviation enthusiasts to spot - Virgin Australia Boeing B737-700 VH-VBY - is due to depart Australian shores for good on Tuesday 7 May.

VH-VBY at Rockhampton Airport last month  (File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©)

VH-VBY was originally delivered to Virgin Australia (Virgin Blue) in late July 2005, and wore a distinctive 'blue' livery with special '50th aircraft' titles to signify its place in the Virgin fleet.

VH-VBY at Rockhampton Airport in 2011  (File photo taken by Don Williams  ©)

With Virgin Blue renaming to Virgin Australia in mid-2001, VH-VBY became the first - and only - B737-700 to be repainted into the new Virgin livery in early 2012.

VH-VBY at Rockhampton Airport last month  (File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©)

VH-VBY's final service to Central Queensland occurred on Sunday 28 April when it operated the VOZ1245/1248 flight from Brisbane to Rockhampton and return.

VH-VBY at Rockhampton Airport last month  (File photo taken by 'IAD'  ©)

VH-VBY is currently in Brisbane awaiting departure.  The feeling amongst most spotters is that this unique aircraft to the Virgin fleet will be sorely missed.

UPDATE!  One year on - yes on Wednesday 7 May - VH-VBY still hasn't left the Virgin Australia fleet.  Neither has fellow B737-700 VH-VBZ.  There are still rumours flying around that these two aircraft will be the next aircraft to leave the Virgin fleet as more new B737-800s are delivered.

2 comments:

  1. I'm sitting in the Perth lounge looking at VH-VBY about to operate the port headland service.

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  2. Yes Michael! Some three years on and VH-VBY (and fellow B737-700 VH-VBZ) are still going strong for Virgin Australia. They mostly operate in Western Australia (during the week) and they often head over the Eastern states on weekends!

    Cheers mate!

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