VH-VBF. Boeing 737-7Q8. c/n 30630-1032.

Was also registered as: N351LF; LV-CSC.

 

This aircraft was ordered new by International Lease Finance Company (ILFC)

Rolled off Boeing production line at Seattle (Boeing Field) - November 20, 2001

First flown as VH-VBF - December 03, 2001

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B20 engines

Entered onto Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VBF - December 10, 2001

Registered to International Lease Finance Company

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Accepted by ILFC at Seattle (Boeing Field) - December 17, 2001

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to Australia as DJ7928 - December 17, 2001

Arrived Brisbane on completion of the delivery flight - December 19, 2001

Delivery route: Seattle - Kahului - Nadi - Brisbane

The aircraft was named 'Mellie Melbourne'

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Adelaide (West Beach) as DJ782 - December 21, 2001

Registered to International Lease Finance Company - March 31, 2005

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

It was fitted with winglets - September 2007

Involved in a breakdown of separation near Melbourne (Tullamarine) - December 05, 2010

To view the ATSB report on this incident please click 'HERE'

Virgin Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd - May 04, 2011

Operated its final revenue service Sydney (kingsford Smith) - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ886 - November 08, 2011

Withdrawn from service and prepared for return to the lessor

Ferried Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Kuala Lumpur for post lease maintenance as DJ9081 - November 12, 2011

Test flown at Kuala Lumpur in the Aerolineas Argentinas livery - December 13, 2011

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - December 16, 2011

Entered onto the United States Aircraft Register as N351LF - December 16, 2011

Registered to International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), Los Angeles

Cancelled from the United States Aircraft Register - February 17, 2012

Entered onto the Argentinian Aircraft Register as LV-CSC - February 17, 2012

Registered to International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), Los Angeles

Leased to Aerolineas Argentinas as the registered operator

Departed Kuala Lumpur (Subang) on the ferry flight to Argentina - February 25, 2012

Arrived Buenos Aires on completion of the ferry flight - February 28, 2012

Ferry route: Kuala Lumpur - Dubai - Barcelona - Las Palmas - Recife - Buenos Aires (Ezeira)

Current with Aerolineas Argentinas

 

 

VH-VBF. Virgin Blue - 'Mellie Melbourne' in the standard livery at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, April 2003.

(R. N. Smith Copyright Image 4620-145.)