Virgin Blue s Boeing 737-800
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Travel Leisure -> subcategory Destinations.
Virgin Blue’s Boeing 737-800
Overview
The Boeing 737-800 stands as the largest member of the successful 737 family, offering increased seating capacity with its extended fuselage. This model can accommodate up to 189 passengers.
Virgin Blue's Fleet Expansion
In 2006, Virgin Blue, Australia’s second-largest airline after Qantas, announced the purchase of nine Boeing 737-800 jets valued at $US634.5 million. Based in Brisbane, the airline aims to expand its fleet with younger, more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce operational costs.
Fuel Efficiency and Cost Reduction
Fuel costs make up over 23% of Virgin Blue’s revenue. By integrating newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft, the airline seeks to lower these expenses. Additionally, by standardizing its fleet, Virgin Blue expects to cut maintenance costs due to the economies of scale in engineering and spare parts procurement.
Competitive Market Pressures
The introduction of Qantas’s low-cost carrier, Jetstar, has intensified the need for cost efficiency. Virgin Blue chose the next-generation 737-800 for its reliability and cost-effectiveness, crucial in the competitive budget airline market.
Advanced Features of the 737-800
Like its siblings, the 737-600 and 737-700, the 737-800 boasts numerous upgrades, including the efficient CFM56-7B turbofan engines. These engines have become a popular choice in commercial aviation, with over 4,000 units in service. The CFM56-7B is heralded for its modern and reliable design, clocking over 50 million flight hours since its introduction in the mid-90s. From mid-2007, all engines have met future aviation environmental standards.
Design Enhancements
The 737-800 features several design improvements, including a new wing design with increased thickness, span, and surface area, larger tail surfaces, and an updated flight deck with six flat-panel LCDs. An optional heads-up display (HUD) is also offered.
Virgin Blue's planes are equipped with distinctive winglets, approximately 2.4 meters tall, which help reduce fuel consumption, engine wear, and noise on takeoff.
Passenger Experience
Inside, Virgin Blue’s 737-800s offer three toilets, six premium economy seats with extra legroom and red leather upholstery, and eight exits. Some jets are equipped with video-on-demand systems, allowing passengers to access 24 satellite TV channels for a small fee, payable via credit card.
Historical Context and Orders
Before its official launch on September 5, 1994, the 737-800 was referred to as the 737-400X Stretch. It is 3.02 meters longer than the 400 model, increasing seating capacity and range. The first flight took place on July 31, 1997, with the first delivery to Hapag-Lloyd in April 1998.
The largest order for the 737-800 series came from Irish budget airline Ryanair, which placed a firm order for 100 aircraft in January 2002, with options for 50 more. These planes are configured in a single class to seat 189 passengers.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Virgin Blue s Boeing 737-800.
You can browse and read all the articles for free. If you want to use them and get PLR and MRR rights, you need to buy the pack. Learn more about this pack of over 100 000 MRR and PLR articles.