VH-VUQ. Boeing 737-8FE. c/n 36605-2710.

Was also registered as: ZK-PBL.

 

Ordered new by Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd

Powered by CFM International CFM56-7B26 engines

Rolled off the Boeing production line at Seattle (Boeing Field) with winglets - July 29, 2008

First flown as 'N1784B' in the standard Pacific Blue livery - August 07, 2008

Was to be entered on the Australian Aircraft Register as 'VH-VUQ' but it was not taken up

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-PBL - August 28, 2008

Leased to Pacific Blue Airlines (N.Z.) Ltd, Christchurch as the registered operator

Aircraft named 'Canterbury Belle'

Accepted by Virgin Blue at Seattle - August 27, 2008

Departed Seattle (Boeing Field) on the delivery flight to New Zealand as DJ9086 - August 27, 2008

Arrived Christchurch on completion of the delivery flight - August 29, 2008

Delivery route: Seattle - Lihue - Nadi - Christchurch

Operated its first revenue service Christchurch - Brisbane as DJ81 - September 02, 2008

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - April 02, 2009

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VUQ - April 03, 2009

Registered to BOC Aviation USA Ltd Corp, Spring Hill

Leased to Virgin Blue Airlines Pty Ltd as the registered operator

Operated its first revenue service Brisbane - Sydney (Kingsford Smith) in Pacific Blue livery as DJ950 - April 11, 2009

Operated its final revenue service Brisbane - Melbourne (Tullamarine) as DJ342 - March 17, 2010

Ferried Melbourne - Christchurch in Pacific Blue livery - March 18, 2010

Cancelled from the Australian Aircraft Register - March 22, 2010

Entered onto the New Zealand Aircraft Register as ZK-PBL - March 23, 2010

Leasted to Pacific Blue Airlines (NZ) Ltd as the registered operator

Operated its first revenue service Christchurch - Melbourne (Tullamarine) - Auckland as DJ06 /164 - March 27, 2010

Pacific Blue was renamed Virgin Australia Airlines (NZ) - December 2011

Cancelled from the New Zealand Aircraft Register - ?

Entered onto the Australian Aircraft Register as VH-VUQ - March 16, 2015

Registered to Sale Cayman (35077) Limited, Georgetown, Cayman Islands

Leased to Virgin Australia Airlines as the registered operator

The aircraft was renamed 'Merewether Beach'

Current with Virgin Australia Airlines

 

 

VH-VUQ. Pacific Blue - 'Canterbury Belle' in the standard livery at Brisbane Airport, September 20, 2009.

(R. N. Smith Collection Copyright Image 4620-561.)

ZK-PBL. Pacific Blue - 'Canterbury Belle' in the standard livery at Christchurch Airport, December 17, 2012.

(Z. Rae Collection Copyright Image 4621-470.)

VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, April 20, 2015.

(T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4621-020.)

VH-VUQ. Virgin Australia - 'Merewether Beach' in the standard livery at Adelaide West Beach Airport, August 28, 2016.

(T. Haynes Collection Copyright Image 4621-534.)