VH-VBR. Boeing 737-7BX. c/n 30745-1027.

Was also registered as: N370ML; N553WN.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by Midway Airlines Corporation

It was not delivered to Midway Airlines as they had ceased operations - September 12, 2001

Rolled off Boeing production line at Seattle in primer and with white tail - November 14, 2001

First flown as 'N1786B' - November 27, 2001

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B24 engines

Stored at Seattle (Boeing Field) in primer and white tail as 'N370ML'

Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Victorville for storage - May 02, 2002

Ferried Victorville - Seattle (Boeing Field) - June 2002

Sold by Boeing to Bouillioun Aircraft Holding Company Inc - June 29, 2002

Accepted by Boullioun Aviation for lease to Virgin Blue - June 29, 2002

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N370ML - July 02, 2002

Registered to Boullioun Aircraft Holding Co. Inc, Bellevue, WA

Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Everett (Paine Field) in primer and white tail - July 03, 2002

It was observed at Everett (Paine Field) in the Virgin Blue livery with winglets - August 14, 2002

Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - September 2002

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VBR - September 09, 2002

Registered to Boullioun Aircraft Holding Co. Inc, Bellevue, WA

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on te ferry flight to New Zealand - September 10, 2002

Arrived Christchurch on completion of the ferry flight for pre-service maintenance - September 12, 2002

Delivery route: Seattle - Kahului - Nadi - Christchurch

Ferried Christchurch - Brisbane on delivery to Virgin Blue as DJ9093 - September 26, 2002

The aircraft was named 'Mackay Maiden'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as DJ204 - October 04, 2002

Registered to ACG Acquisition 30745 LLC, Newport Beach, California - August 03, 2005

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Operated its final revenue service Sydney (Kingsford Smith) - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ894 - October 07, 2010

It was prepared for return to lessor at end of the lease

Departed Melbourne (Tullamarine) on ferry flight to the United States as DJ9081 - October 16, 2010

Arrived Everett (Paine Field) on completion of the ferry flight as DJ9083 - October 17, 2010

Ferry route: Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Nadi - Honolulu - Everett

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - October 18, 2010

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N553WN - October 19, 2010

Registered to ACG Acquisitions 30745 LLC c/- Aviation Capital Group, Newport Beach, California

Leased to Southwest Airlines as the registered operator

Operated its last revenue service St Louis - Los Angeles as SWA2276 - March 23, 2020

Ferried Los Angeles - Victorville for storage as SWA8505 - March 23, 2020

Current with Southwest Airlines

 

 

VH-VBR. Virgin Blue - 'Mackay Maiden' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 22, 2003.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 4622-684.)

VH-VBR. Virgin Blue - 'Mackay Maiden' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, August 2005.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-550.)

VH-VBR. Virgin Blue - 'Mackay Maiden' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, March 2007.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-368.)