VH-VBI. Boeing 737-7Q8. c/n 30644-1107.

Was also registered as: N161LF; LV-CWL.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by International Lease Finance Company (ILFC)

Rolled off Boeing production line at Seattle - March 14, 2002

First flown as 'VH-VBI' - March 25, 2002

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B20 engines

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VBI - March 28, 2002

Registered to International Lease Finance Company

Accepted by ILFC at Seattle (Boeing Field) - April 11, 2002

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to Australia as DJ9063 - April 11, 2002

Arrived Brisbane on completion of the delivery flight - April 13, 2002

Delivery route: Seattle - Honolulu - Nadi - Brisbane

The aircraft was named 'Smurfette'

Operated its first revenue service as DJ? - ?

Operated the inaugural Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Hobart service as DJ182 - August 29, 2002

Registered to International Lease Finance Company - March 31, 2005

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

It was fitted with winglets - September 2007

Virgin Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd - May 04, 2011

Operated its final revenue service Cairns - Brisbane as DJ792 - February 27, 2012

Ferried Brisbane - Darwin - Shanghai (Pudong) on return to the lessor - February 29, 2012

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - April 12, 2012

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N161LF - April 12, 2012

Registered to International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), Los Angeles

It was observed at Shanghai (Pudong) in the erolineas Argentinas livery as 'LV-CWL' - April 12, 2012

Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - July 02, 2012

Entered onto the Argentinean Aircraft Register as LV-CWL - July 03, 2012

Registered to International Lease Finance Corporation, Los Angeles

Leased to Aerolineas Argintinas as the registered operator

Departed Shanghai on the ferry flight to Buenos Aires - July 07, 2012

Arrived Buenos Aires (Ezeira) on completion of the ferry flight - July 10, 2012

Ferry route: Shanghai (Pudong) - Dhaka - Dubai - Barcelona - Las Palmas - Recife - Buenos Aires

Current with Aerolineas Argentinas

 

 

VH-VBI. Virgin Blue - 'Smurfette' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, November 2006.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-377.)

VH-VBI. Virgin Blue - 'Smurfette' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, March 2007.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-385.)

VH-VBI. Virgin Blue - 'Smurfette' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, March 2007.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-107.)

VH-VBI. Virgin Blue - 'Smurfette' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 27, 2010.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 4622-668.)