VH-VBS. Boeing 737-7BX. c/n 30746-1085.

Was also registered as: N371ML; N554WN.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by Midway Airlines Corporation - ?

It was never 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 - February 12, 2002

First flown as 'N1786B' - February 21, 2002

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B24 engines

Stored at Seattle (Boeing Field) in primer and white tail as 'N371ML'

Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Victorville as 'N371ML' for storage and observed as such - 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 N371ML - 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-VBS - September 16, 2002

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

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Departed Seattle on the ferry flight to New Zealand - September 17, 2002

It arrived at Christchurch from Kahului for pre-service maintenance - September 19, 2002

Ferry route: Seattle - Kahului - Nadi - Christchurh

Ferried Christchurch - Brisbane on delivery to Virgin Blue as DJ9095 - October 03, 2002

The aircraft was named 'Blue Baroness'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Adelaide (West Beach) as DJ752 - October 04, 2002

Registered to ACG Acquisition 30746 LLC, Newport Beach, California - August 03, 2005

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Operated its final revenue service Launceston - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ1383 - November 04, 2010

Withdrawn from service and prepared for return to the lessor

Departed Melbourne (Tullamarine) on the ferry flight to the United States - November 13, 2010

Arrived Everett (Paine Field) on completion of the ferry flight - November 14, 2010

Ferry route: Melbourne - Nadi - Honolulu - Everett

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - November 15, 2010

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N554WN - November 15, 2010

Registered to Aircraft Holding 1 LLC, Los Angeles

Leased to Southwest Airlines as the registered operator

Current with Southwest Airlines

 

 

VH-VBS. Virgin Blue - 'Blue Baroness' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, November 15, 2005.

(R. Brown Copyright Image 4622-692.)

VH-VBS. Virgin Blue - 'Blue Baroness' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, July 2008.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-432.)