Please continue your discussion and to post your updates here.

Link to previous thread:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1348759

Someone had asked for pics of the E9-12 gate area in the previous part of this thread. I have posted some in a flyertalk thread, along with pics of the terminal E airside connector.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jetblue- ... l-c-e.html

kq747 wrote:

Someone had asked for pics of the E9-12 gate area in the previous part of this thread. I have posted some in a flyertalk thread, along with pics of the terminal E airside connector.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/jetblue- ... l-c-e.html

Did you post the E9-12 pictures yet? I only see photos of the C-E connector on the thread you posted.

Sorry, I wasn't thinking when I was typing. The pics are E1-3 gate area and the C8-10 area. Apologize for the miz up.

Terminal E expansion will be OPEN tomorrow, 1/23. E10 will open later however.

First flight expected to be the afternoon Emirates 77w, which will still depart from terminal C.

no idea regarding lounges etc. I'd imagine they'll open in a short time, after the fine details are all completed

Unfortunately BA has apparently pulled the A380 from the 239/238 rotation this coming Sunday and Monday. It shows now as the 787.

FGITD wrote:

Terminal E expansion will be OPEN tomorrow, 1/23. E10 will open later however.

First flight expected to be the afternoon Emirates 77w, which will still depart from terminal C.

no idea regarding lounges etc. I'd imagine they'll open in a short time, after the fine details are all completed

Most excellent. Given the lack of media noise on this I imagine it's a soft opening - but exciting nonetheless.

chrisnh wrote:

Unfortunately BA has apparently pulled the A380 from the 239/238 rotation this coming Sunday and Monday. It shows now as the 787.

Boooooooo. Any idea why?

33lspotter wrote:

chrisnh wrote:

Unfortunately BA has apparently pulled the A380 from the 239/238 rotation this coming Sunday and Monday. It shows now as the 787.

Boooooooo. Any idea why?

No...I can only guess that things aren't quite ready. I'll poke around the BA schedules section on their web site to see if it shows up at any point prior to their March debut. Massport needs these one-off flights to confirm that everything inside and outside these new gate areas truly is A380-ready. But EK will get the spoils as being the first A380 flight into Boston on a regular scheduled service. In fact, unless I'm mistaken, it will be the first flight that pulls into a gate. All the other diversions have just been stopped on a taxiway.

33lspotter wrote:

chrisnh wrote:

Unfortunately BA has apparently pulled the A380 from the 239/238 rotation this coming Sunday and Monday. It shows now as the 787.

Boooooooo. Any idea why?

My opinion only: BA was going to be the one testing the new gates but EK in its usual form decided they couldn't let another airline be the first at anything, and preempted BA's flight, rendering irrelevant.

chrisnh wrote:

In fact, unless I'm mistaken, it will be the first flight that pulls into a gate. All the other diversions have just been stopped on a taxiway.

I've seen an AF A380 at the gate a while ago, following a diversion. Whether they actually used the jetway to board and deplane is a different matter.

airbazar wrote:

My opinion only: BA was going to be the one testing the new gates but EK in its usual form decided they couldn't let another airline be the first at anything, and preempted BA's flight, rendering irrelevant.

Certainly seems plausible, but the only oddity with that is that BA scheduled the A380 on that rotation after[ Emirates had scheduled its one-off.

chrisnh wrote:

No...I can only guess that things aren't quite ready.

Makes sense – another possibility is that they'll wait to see how it goes for EK before doing it themselves. Which, given what I stated above, would be odd, but seems plausible nonetheless.

I wouldn't be too hasty in 'blaming' or 'knocking' EK for this move. As I noted earlier, it might very well have been Massport that REQUESTED the flights in order to test things out. But in complete deference to BA, they are the only airline to put the plane into service at Logan starting (apparently, fingers crossed) late March. It's not much of a 'victory' for EK if tomorrow's flight is the only A380 they bring here.

I believe AF has used a gate before, for a 380 diversion that ended up terminating in Boston. I think they only deplaned though

Not too surprised about British. If I had to guess, it must have been an extremely light load. Combine that with the fact that another airline is already testing out the gates with an a380, and really.... what's the point? If Emirates can handle an a380 on those gates, BA certainly can.

Well, I think we might also theorize that another part of 'testing' happens inside, where the lounges are. They would certainly want to test out their whole passenger experience. They need to test everything, not just pulling the plane up to a gate (where, you're right...an A380 is an A380). BA knows that the 238/239 rotation is a light load in the middle of the winter; so putting in the A380 wasn't for load purposes as much as it was for the amount of time the plane would be on the stand (11 hours?). Time enough for workers to be introduced to the plane, albeit during the overnight hours. That was the reason, IMO, why they picked that rotation.

It makes sense that BA would push back the A380 test if they were not fully ready on the lounge side of things. It matches their practicality. It doesn't make sense to send the A380 multiple times with out a full load for test purposes. They would be losing money unnecessarily. As far as we know EK is still on for their test. Right?

pitbosflyer wrote:

It makes sense that BA would push back the A380 test if they were not fully ready on the lounge side of things. It matches their practicality. It doesn't make sense to send the A380 multiple times with out a full load for test purposes. They would be losing money unnecessarily. As far as we know EK is still on for their test. Right?

Yes, EK is still expected in. Their web site says so. In neither case (BA nor EK) is the A380 'needed' for capacity purposes. In fact, BA will use the A380 on days where they'll have only three flights to Boston rather than the more common 4x per day. So even there you're not seeing a real boost in capacity...just a re-jiggering on how they dole it out.

33lspotter wrote:

Certainly seems plausible, but the only oddity with that is that BA scheduled the A380 on that rotation after[ Emirates had scheduled its one-off.

I'm not sure when exactly BA announced this latest one-off flight but the original announcement was made on July 10th for service starting on February 2nd.
EK only announced their one-off service on December 25th
http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/air ... -jan-2017/

chrisnh wrote:

It's not much of a 'victory' for EK if tomorrow's flight is the only A380 they bring here.

I would be shocked if we don't see an EK A380 plastered all over the Boston area media tomorrow.

airbazar wrote:

33lspotter wrote:

Certainly seems plausible, but the only oddity with that is that BA scheduled the A380 on that rotation after[ Emirates had scheduled its one-off.

I'm not sure when exactly BA announced this latest one-off flight but the original announcement was made on July 10th for service starting on February 2nd.
EK only announced their one-off service on December 25th

BA never made an official announcement, although it did come to many of our attentions on 7/10 that they were to start flying A380s on BOS-LHR for 2/2. However, in September, there was a delay in the launch of regularly-scheduled service, first indefinitely, and then from 2/2 to 3/26, which came around in October. The scheduling of the 388 on the BA239/238 rotation came to my attention earlier this month, so it was after Emirates' 12/25 announcement IIRC.

What is BA currently on LHR-BOS? 24x weekly?

http://www.archboston.org/community/sho ... 46&page=12

User Datadyne posted a couple of photos showing some of the work in the terminal. Post #225.

I think it is 28 weekly because they are 4x per day. But along with the A380 will come those 3x days, which means 25 weekly.

The first scheduled A380 is en route from DXB to BOS. Even recognizing that it's a one-off, I hope that people are able to get some good shots of it coming in – I work around 40 minutes north of the city, so I'm not able to, but I would love to see some pictures.

33lspotter wrote:

The first scheduled A380 is en route from DXB to BOS. Even recognizing that it's a one-off, I hope that people are able to get some good shots of it coming in – I work around 40 minutes north of the city, so I'm not able to, but I would love to see some pictures.

As per the other thread ( viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1353253 ), the weather is not ideal spotting weather so I don't know if people would bother to go get such a picture.

Here it's a bit drizzly and ceilings are pretty low. I'm about an hour north of BOS. Strong south winds are predicted.

BA and EK both scheduled the one-off A380 flights for fit tests with the new gates, EK237/238 is operating today as the A380 parking on E11 and it will remain there for the duration. Passengers will check-in as normal at Terminal C and depart from E using the connector.

Lounges won't open for another 1-2 months depending on the airline - LH, BA and EK all have construction going on. Once completed they'll be able to board directly from their lounges even if its not an A380 operating. The lounges don't impact the operation of the gates even for the A380, aside from the improved customer experience. VS was using E11 last night with their 787 so they are still common use gates.

BA only pulled their one-off out of the plan last week apparently due to issues with cabin crew.

AF did divert an A380 to BOS a few times, the first time it parked on the old E8A (now E11) and last fall it was parked on runway 15R. SQ has also diverted the A380 to BOS and parked on E5, along with an LH A380 that came in and parked on the taxiway. The gate parking was only possible because there were no flights parked on either side of the gates used.

Revelation wrote:

As per the other thread ( viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1353253 ), the weather is not ideal spotting weather so I don't know if people would bother to go get such a picture.

Here it's a bit drizzly and ceilings are pretty low. I'm about an hour north of BOS. Strong south winds are predicted.

It's not ideal conditions for a day of spotting, but since it will be coming in on 22L in all likelihood I would imagine that it will be passing over a number of different locales where spotters may reside. I'm not thinking people will be getting hi-res photos or anything, but just would be awesome to see some pictures.

alphaomega wrote:

BA only pulled their one-off out of the plan last week apparently due to issues with cabin crew.

Interesting, where'd you hear that?

just came over my house



http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61t8CyireX8WjFKY1BXanNTZ2lSTTZpMmp1el9oNVVPTkFF/view?usp=sharing

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61t8CyireX8RzhOT2JjS0hLNnI3MC1HUUo4Nm1TU0pBX2FZ/view?usp=sharing

http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61t8CyireX8MDlMSTM3WmRubl93ZE1VTENVZ3FRWFo0TnpZ/view?usp=sharing

I'm really hoping at least one person that is about to either get off or on this plane takes pictures of the structure the jet bridge attaches to. As of now we have only seen them from the outside.

pitbosflyer wrote:

I'm really hoping at least one person that is about to either get off or on this plane takes pictures of the structure the jet bridge attaches to. As of now we have only seen them from the outside.

I know this isn't exactly that but here's a couple of shots of the aircraft at E11.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPvUPsoggRg ... =audenmahk

https://twitter.com/search?vertical=def ... pd&lang=en

unrelated to all the A380 fanfare, but for those who use BOS and live south of providence, parking is now (again) completely free at the wickford junction MBTA garage. i usually take amtrak from kingston, but garaged parking is a definite plus in the winter.

"The Emirates airline on Thursday showed off its newest plane that will soon begin to service Logan Airport..."

"Soon" - whatever that means.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/20 ... story.html

Well, 'soon' could simply mean BA's March startup...not necessarily that Emirates has plans to do likewise.

Emirates is starting Dubai to Newark via Athens in addition to Dubai to JFK via Milan. Do you think they could make a Dubai to Boston flight via Barcelona work? I would think that Boston to Barcelona would be a successful route.

Dab747 wrote:

Emirates is starting Dubai to Newark via Athens in addition to Dubai to JFK via Milan. Do you think they could make a Dubai to Boston flight via Barcelona work? I would think that Boston to Barcelona would be a successful route.

Only my opinion, but I don't think so; their planes are too big.

True. I was wondering as a seasonal route. As mentioned in earlier threads, the load factor from Boston to Dubai requires an A380 in addition to a smaller plane. More wishful thinking, but thought it could work in the summer months.

Perhaps obvious given my board nickname, but I had the good fortune of being able to view EK238 super leaving tonight. Saw it from my living room and even got a couple of (mediocre) shots with my phone.

Any idea why the main level jetbridge was attached at 1L instead of 2L?

Interesting info, i heard on 99.1 this morning that there is a new airline about to start up between HYA and ACK, I think this is to replace the defunct Island Air from a year or so ago. Apparently they have the planes, just getting final permits etc.

I have to put this somewhat as a Rumor because i only heard it quickly on the radio and can't cite a separate source... yet!

hinckley wrote:

Any idea why the main level jetbridge was attached at 1L instead of 2L?

Maybe since there are only two jetways instead of three, the gate agents wanted to keep them as far apart as possible - rather be safe than sorry? I assume agents and BOS have little experience operating multi-bridge jetways (though I really have no concrete evidence of any of this). On that note, who does decide which door they will attach a jetway to (L1 or L2)? The gate agent themselves?

hinckley wrote:

Any idea why the main level jetbridge was attached at 1L instead of 2L?

Here's my theory: Unlike other airlines that have F class (or some premium cabin), forward of 2L, EK's main deck is all Y so it really make no difference. In addition, catering uses door 2R so by using door 1L fo passengers it minimizes congestion in the 2L/2R area. But I like the idea of keeping both bridges as far apart as possible

Dab747 wrote:

Emirates is starting Dubai to Newark via Athens in addition to Dubai to JFK via Milan. Do you think they could make a Dubai to Boston flight via Barcelona work? I would think that Boston to Barcelona would be a successful route.

I said this before TP returned to Boston, but DXB-LIS-BOS would have been a tremendous route for EK. Probably the best unserved European city at the time (not counting S4's crappy "irregular" service). It would have been easy for them to simply extend their LIS service to BOS. Right now i'm not sure that there is anything else worth entering with a 77W. Perhaps ATH or MXP in the Summer?

I don't know the exact reasoning, but I'd be willing to bet it was attached to 1L just to keep well clear of the other bridge. It also took quite a bit longer than usual to attach, most likely for the same reason. Most airlines prefer 2L, and most bridges are designed that way.

VS4ever wrote:

Interesting info, i heard on 99.1 this morning that there is a new airline about to start up between HYA and ACK, I think this is to replace the defunct Island Air from a year or so ago. Apparently they have the planes, just getting final permits etc.

I have to put this somewhat as a Rumor because i only heard it quickly on the radio and can't cite a separate source... yet!

Rectrix (FBO company at a few mass airports and Part 135 charter operator) started flying it as a scheduled charter with King Airs

RL757PVD wrote:

VS4ever wrote:

Interesting info, i heard on 99.1 this morning that there is a new airline about to start up between HYA and ACK, I think this is to replace the defunct Island Air from a year or so ago. Apparently they have the planes, just getting final permits etc.

I have to put this somewhat as a Rumor because i only heard it quickly on the radio and can't cite a separate source... yet!

Rectrix (FBO company at a few mass airports and Part 135 charter operator) started flying it as a scheduled charter with King Airs

Yeah, but that wasn't it, I found the articles on them, but this was someone brand new, unless they've updated or are in the middle of updating their licenses)

So I heard that AA is going to yank IFE from all their narrow-body aircraft. Since (aside from a couple instances) everything flown through BOS is narrow-body...even those transcontinental flights on 737-800s...what do you think that will do to their business? This seems rather draconian. Yanking meals I can understand, but IFE??? The cost to do it probably exceeds the savings.

chrisnh wrote:

So I heard that AA is going to yank IFE from all their narrow-body aircraft. Since (aside from a couple instances) everything flown through BOS is narrow-body...even those transcontinental flights on 737-800s...what do you think that will do to their business? This seems rather draconian. Yanking meals I can understand, but IFE??? The cost to do it probably exceeds the savings.

Their justification is that you can access it free on your personal device. While some people seem to like that, I personally like having TVs better, as my iPhone is (obviously) not as big as a TV screen.

chrisnh wrote:

So I heard that AA is going to yank IFE from all their narrow-body aircraft. Since (aside from a couple instances) everything flown through BOS is narrow-body...even those transcontinental flights on 737-800s...what do you think that will do to their business? This seems rather draconian. Yanking meals I can understand, but IFE??? The cost to do it probably exceeds the savings.

I can tell you I won't be considering flying AA for anything longer than a couple of hours. I don't understand how people can watch video on a tiny 5 inch screen.

Honestly the removal of IFE shouldn't affect AA's business. Half of AA's flights from BOS are on airbus planes which have no IFE and the IFE on the 737s and 757s is pretty pathetic (a couple of overhead TVs that play NBC shows and sometimes a movie). The new streaming service will probably be an improvement, allowing customers to choose from a library of TV shows and movies.

chrisnh wrote:

So I heard that AA is going to yank IFE from all their narrow-body aircraft. Since (aside from a couple instances) everything flown through BOS is narrow-body...even those transcontinental flights on 737-800s...what do you think that will do to their business? This seems rather draconian. Yanking meals I can understand, but IFE??? The cost to do it probably exceeds the savings.

Well they are starting by not having it on new deliveries, which won't kick in immediately and over time they will roll it out to their older aircraft i suspect, so the initial cost will be minimal, the assumption that everyone has a tablet to use is a little extreme, but i guess as a market trend that's the way its going. So I can kind of see their point, plus the ultimate weight saving from all the equipment will help them in the longer term.
Personally I normally work on the plane, so I don't care either way, although it is nice to be able to watch the TV screen, the other issue is if the person in front of you reclines all the way, how on earth do you watch a tablet comfortably with the tray table in your midriff.. should cause some additional fun arguments at 36,000ft.

http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/ ... et.html#g1,

nice slideshow from yesterday

chrisnh wrote:

So I heard that AA is going to yank IFE from all their narrow-body aircraft. Since (aside from a couple instances) everything flown through BOS is narrow-body...even those transcontinental flights on 737-800s...what do you think that will do to their business? This seems rather draconian. Yanking meals I can understand, but IFE??? The cost to do it probably exceeds the savings.

Personally I think it is a mistake, but it's easy for me to say from my armchair. I flew BOS-LAX-BOS on AA last year and was pleasantly surprised by the TVs on the 738 setbacks.

CAA - released December UK numbers - DY BOS-LGW pretty much spot on from November with 91.5% LF. Only 1% drop in BOS-LHR traffic as well.

Also, though it appears the D8/NAI operation is heading for smaller airports such as PVD, a DY spokesperson has said “Boston is a very important destination in Norwegian’s long-term expansion plans – as are the UK and Ireland. This is not changing.”

http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/eur ... expansion/

adamh8297 wrote:

CAA - released December UK numbers - DY BOS-LGW pretty much spot on from November with 91.5% LF. Only 1% drop in BOS-LHR traffic as well.


Also, though it appears the D8/NAI operation is heading for smaller airports such as PVD, a DY spokesperson has said “Boston is a very important destination in Norwegian’s long-term expansion plans – as are the UK and Ireland. This is not changing.”

http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/eur ... expansion/

Surely LGW has to go Daily? 90% LF's in Dec is nuts.... now whether they are dumping capacity to get it there, who knows, but given LHR can't get anywhere near that kind of load, it clearly shows the market is there and could be expanded, I have to think BA are looking at this as a defensive measure, but then again, they are so married to LHR, maybe they are ok with letting DY have their fun at LGW. Maybe for now it switches to year round 789, at 344 pax that's a big number to fill 4 times a week, but i am beyond impressed with this, i must say.


Yeah i didn't think they would abandon their key major routes, after all got to do something with those 787's... but nice to see BOS specifically get a mention there.