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 (Washington) in primer and with an 'all-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, Washington) in primer and an 'all-white' tail as 'N369ML'

Ferried Seattle (Boeing Field) - Victorville (California) for storage as 'N369ML' - November ?, 2001

Ferried Victorville (California) - Seattle (Boeing Field,Washington) - 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, Washington) 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, Washington) on the ferry flight to New Zealand - September 03, 2002

Arrived Christchurch (New Zealand) for pre-service maintenance - September 05, 2002

Ferried Christchurch (New Zealand) - Brisbane (Queensland) as DJ9093 - September 13, 2002

The aircraft named 'La Blue Femme'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane (Queensland) - 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 final revenue service Coolangatta (Queensland) - 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Withdrawn from service and prepared for return to lessor at the end of the lease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, Washington) on completion of the ferry flight from Australia - September 25, 2010

Ferry route: Melbourne (Victoria) - Nadi (Fiji) - Honolulu (Hawaii) - Seattle (Washington)

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 status - ?

 

 

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.)