Domestic 777 flights

I took one of those Delta flights from ATL to MCO and back, just to try out an aircraft that I had a hand in the design of. They only had two 777s at the time and it was a way to maximize use of the aircraft while giving pilots some time at the controls. I believe that in a two-day cycle, each of the two planes flew 3 or 4 round trips to MCO and one round trip to LHR, with the two aircraft doing this on alternate days. The time in the air was a mere 57 minutes, which seemed silly for an aircraft that large.

A footnote to that: I haven't flown domestically on a 777 since! The last time I flew was a round trip from ATL to LGW on British Airways, and that was over a dozen years ago.

 

We have a few of these up here, usually YYZ-YOW and YUL (40-60 min flights). At least once a day, to 'clean up' the standby pax and compensate any cancelled flights.

 

United has a bunch of domestic 777 flights. Some a short as DEN-SFO. They have DEN-IAH, DEN-LAX, DEN-ORD. Similar routes from IAH, EWR, LAX, SFO and ORD.

https://www.unitedcargo.com/ShowFiles?filePath=/schedules/Widebody.pdf

 

UA , DL and AA send widebody aircraft from one hub to another to set up for the international European and S.A. from MIA flights that usually depart in the afternoon.

 

I flew on a commercial flight in a 777 from Oakland to San Francisco...a VERY short flight...twenty some years ago.

The rest of the story is we started in Chicago and were meant to go straight to SFO. By the time we got there, SFO had waves breaking over the runway and was virtually shut down. We circled for some time until the fuel was low...when we landed in Oakland. We sat on the tarmac...I watched TWO full movies (fortunately, I had upgraded to business class!). We finally got to a gate where anybody flying with carry-on only could de-plane. I had work equipment in the belly that I could not leave behind, so I got to finish the flight.

 

I fly the 777 all the time to Asia and Europe from the West Coast. United replaced all 747's with 777's. I've also flown LA to NYC on a 777. Its rare to see them on short hauls because its difficult to fill enough seats.

The 777 is a really fine plane. My favorite now is the 787 Dreamliner though which is used mainly for long hauls. I did LA to Melbourne Australia non-stop on one. The 737 Max was supposed to be the upgraded short haul aircraft but that's another story...

 

Daughter is flying United 777 ORD to SFO over next month.

 

Air Canada flies them Vancouver to Toronto. Awesome plane, lots of space and quiet.


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Nice to hear comments like this since I worked on that bird from the very start.

 

Because they don't fly domestically out of ATL (to my knowledge), I haven't flown one since 2003!

 

Well done sir! Definitely one of my favorite planes.


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Thanks, it's one of my favorites, too.

 

Now that I have a grandson in SFO, I've been flying a 777 every chance I get. The IAH to SFO leaves IAH at 6:30 am. The SFO to IAH leaves at 11:55 pm. I hate flying red eye, but this plane is worth it. Last time I looked at the schedule, it stays in the air about 19 hours a day.

I'll be flying it soon. Due to the late purchase, first class was cheaper than economy, imagine that. So I'll get to try out the cocoon seats in first. Should be interesting.

 

They are not worth it on such a short flight, as you will not have enough time to thoroughly enjoy all the comforts provided. Better you should switch with someone less fortunate in the back.

 

Yeah right. No way am I gonna pass on the happy ending!

 

That will arguably be the shortest one. Ottawa to Toronto and vice versa on a 767, 777, or 787.

From what I understand as well these are part of international flight routes. Toronto to Ottawa on a wide body followed by Ottawa overseas with the same bird. Return to Ottawa and Ottawa to Toronto.

 

BA used to (?) do the same with a 747 from SAN-LAX-LHR and back

 

Could be. I think China Southern used to operate a 777 and even sometimes a 380 from Hong Kong to Guangzhou. Technically the same country I suppose... 130km total distance

 

I have one story that I heard from a Aero Mexico crew. They diverted to STL on a flight from Mexico city. They could not get a gate at STL for some reason and had trouble procuring fuel at STL also. They ended up being on the ground with pax onboard for over 8 hours. Due to the US international 4 hour rule they would have received a massive violation of $27,000.00 per pax if the deplaned on US soil. Their dispatch directed them to refuel and re depart back to Mexico City without ever deplaning in the US to avoid that. That is a true story, so the moral of the story, don't ever fly Aero Mexico

Photo of Aero Mexico landing at ORD yesterday.

 

777 operating yyz-yow and back on Saturday night. Lots of cancelled flights that needed their stranded pax brought back.
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Not all could drive even if they wanted to (and I think 4 hrs would be a very optimistic estimate in a snowstorm--crossing Toronto alone would likely take half of that!) Lots of connections too.