QANTAS Airways bids farewell to the Boeing 767

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) yesterday (December 26) operated its last passenger Boeing 767 revenue flight (flight QF 767) from Melbourne to Sydney. The airline issued this statement:

QANTAS on December 26 said farewell to its last Boeing 767, as the aircraft conducted its final flight – with the special flight number of QF 767 – from Melbourne to Sydney.

Above Photo: QANTAS Airways. Boeing 767-338 ER VH-OGL (msn 25363) is saluted on its arrival in Sydney.

The Boeing 767 has been in the QANTAS fleet since July 1985 and for a time was the ‘workhorse’ of the fleet, carrying nearly 168 million passengers on over 927,000 flights.

QANTAS Head of Flying Operations and Boeing 767 pilot, Captain Mike Galvin, said the 767 had served Qantas extremely well over the past 29 years.

“While it’s sad to say goodbye, it’s definitely time to retire the 767s as we have been bringing in newer aircraft that are more advanced and fuel efficient. It’s also part of reducing complexity in our fleet by reducing the number of different aircraft types we fly from 11 down to seven.”

QANTAS had a total of 41 Boeing 767 in its fleet over the years, which collectively flew more than 1.8 billion kilometers – the equivalent of 2,438 return trips to the moon.

A widebody aircraft capable of carrying about 250 people, the Boeing 767 was used in recent years flying between Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, as well as from the east coast to Perth.

Much of the flying done by the Boeing 767s will be taken over by QANTAS’ fleet of newer and larger A330s, which are receiving a major interior upgrade and seat around 300 people. The remainder of the flying will be done through increased utilization of the airline’s smaller Boeing 737-800s.

The final QANTAS Boeing 767 flight departed Melbourne at 5 pm (1700) and performed a flyover of Sydney CBD, before landing at the airport at 6.25 pm (1825).

The last flight was operated with Boeing 767-338 ER VH-OGL (msn 25363). QANTAS has sold four Boeing 767-338 ERs to Boeing Capital which are reportedly going to WestJet.

Top Copyright Photo: John Adlard/Airlinersgallery.com. VH-OGL once wore this special New Wallabies rugby team color scheme. VH-OGL taxies past the camera at Sydney.

Below Copyright Photo: Rob Finlayson/AirlinersGallery.com. Rob Finlayson got this unique view of VH-OGL making its special low pass over the famous Bondi Beach in Sydney before landing.

Below Copyright Photo: Rob Finlayson/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 767-338 ER VH-OGL (msn 25363) arrives in Sydney to the traditional water cannon salute.