I thought that practice was illegal in the states, as well. I assure you, none of the bigboys do that.

QF’s 744’s were doing just fine on the routes they already had, with slight payload restrictions only on the westbound (which I was unaware of until the tarmac tour guide informed us). The 744ER sacrifices hold space for an extra fuel tank. So theoretically, that space that now holds fuel, wasn’t usuable for cargo with the restrictions to begin with. NZ and UA fly the same routes and they still use the regular 744’s. I fly them all the time. This is all speculation on my part, perhaps Skycruiser can shed some light on the situation. The LAX-MEL flight is a little more than 7,900 statute miles. The LAX-SYD flight is 7,487 miles. With headwinds, what are the restrictions with a typical pax load of around 380 on those routes with a regular 744? Also, how much more effective is the 744ER on those 2 routes without restrictions?

It’s not the seatbelt, Mongu. Your abdominal muscles would be the ones used, to force your torso back into the seat, if it tilting forward due to the gravity going that way.

According to the specs, it is supposed to have greater range than a 744, but I’m not absolutely certain about this.

I don’t know, ask BigRed. He used to be a rampworker at said terminal for said airline.

I thought Braniff operated into the late 80’s/early 90’s? Was it ‘another’ Braniff, perhaps?

Originally posted by mixtec
It doesnt carry that much more passangers than the 747 yet its very much larger and heavier.

Actually, it should carry considerablly more pax than a 744, in a typical 3 class layout. Sure, the 744 can carry about 560 pax, in a high density configuration, a la JAL and ANA. The A380 is supposed to carry that number in a typical 3-class layout with regular seat pitches. A 744 in a typical 3-class layout seats around 370-400 pax.

I know what you’re talking about, Mindoh, I’ve seen it as well. It just folds down from one of the flap canoes. I’m not sure what it is, but I’m sure it is a landing light like some of these other gentlemen made reference to.