VH-VBQ. Boeing 737-7BX. c/n 30744-989.
Was also registered as: N369ML; N552WN.
This aircraft was ordered new by Midway Airlines Corporation - ? Rolled off Boeing production line at Seattle in primer and with white tail - October 07, 2001 First flown as 'N1786B' - October 15, 2001 Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B24 engines It was never delivered to Midway Airlines as they had ceased operations - September 12, 2001 Stored at Seattle (Boeing Field) in primer and white tail as 'N369ML' Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Victorville for storage and observed as such as 'N369ML' - November 2001 Ferried Victorville - Seattle (Boeing Field) - June 09, 2002 Sold by Boeing to Bouillioun Aircraft Holding Company Inc - June 28, 2002 Accepted by Boullioun Aviation for lease to Virgin Blue - June 29, 2002 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N369ML - July 02, 2002 Registered to Boullioun Aircraft Holding Co. Inc, Bellevue, WA Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Everett (Paine Field) in primer - 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-VBQ - September 02, 2002 Registered to Boullioun Aircraft Holding Co. Inc, Bellevue, WA Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator Departed Everett (Paine Field) on the derry flight to New Zealand - September 03, 2002 Arrived Christchurch from Kahului for pre-service maintenance - September 05, 2002 Ferried Christchurch - Brisbane on delivery to Virgin Blue as DJ9093 - September 13, 2002 The aircraft named 'La Blue Femme' Operated its irst revenue service Brisbane - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) as DJ208 - October 10, 2002 Registered to ACG Acquisition 30744 LLC, Newport Beach, California - August 03, 2005 Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator Operated its final revenue service Coolangatta - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ746 - September 16, 2010 Withdrawn from service and prepared for return to lessor at the end of the lease Departed Melbourne (Tullamarine) on ferry flight to the United States as DJ9080 - September 25, 2010 Arrived Seattle (Paine Field) on completion of the ferry flight - September 25, 2010 Ferry route: Melbourne - Nadi - Honolulu - Seattle Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - September 28, 2010 Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N552WN - September 28, 2010 Registered to ACG Acquisition 30744 LLC c/- Aviation Capital Group, Newport, California Leased to Southwest Airlines, Dallas, Texas as the registered operator Current with Southwest Airlines |
VH-VBQ. Virgin Blue - 'La Blue Femme' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, September 2002. (R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-479.) |
VH-VBQ. Virgin Blue - 'La Blue Femme' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, January 16, 2009. (R. Brown Copyright Image 4622-683.) |