I’m sure they’d cut out Singapore if they could, Mongu. I don’t think current equipment can handle DXB-SYD unless severe payload restrictions come into play. The A340-500 will also be able to fly SIN-LAX non-stop, where current technology can’t. That thing is going to be able to open up some new markets, in addition to the 2 aforementioned.

Excellent pic Ren, great quality. I’m assuming you have a digital.

That would have been years ago, using the SP’s. They didn’t fly the 744 into there, more recently?

Nice sale for USAirways. Generate some cashflow.

The scheme in the picture is not their current scheme. This particular scheme only lasted a few years, when it replaced the outdated scheme you mention, but was subsequently replaced by the ‘waves’ scheme they currently have.

Prior to deregulation in the U.S., everything was pretty much point to point. Then Delta revolutionized the hub concept with ATL, which is also why it is currently the busiest airport in the world, in terms of pax (not sure about movements). Some airlines in the U.S. still have a few point to point services, for instance, I flew EWR-SAN (San Diego) on UA once, and neither can remotely be considered a hub for the airline. Mind you, this was back in ’98, and that route might have been scrapped after 9/11. It’s easier to funnel everybody through the hub, and feed them through the spokes. However, if a particular service warrants point to point, there’s nothing wrong with an airline serving that market, subject to approval, of course.

Yeah, but they pretty much just painted it to retire it, kinda like dressing up somebody really nice for their funeral. They should have painted it in those colours a year or so prior to retirement so the bigdog could have flown around in its original color scheme for a little while.