US's Eastern Airlines to debut B777 pax, cargo ops in 1Q22

Portuguese start-up eyes B777 cargo ops

NFL franchise Arizona Cardinals buys a B777

The Arizona Cardinals, a National Football League (NFL) franchise, has acquired an ex-Delta Air Lines B777-200(ER) for team travel.

N867DA (msn 29743) is a 19.9-year-old widebody that was retired by Delta on October 29, 2020. Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows it was stored at Victorville, Lake Charles Chennault, and Marana airports before being ferried to Fort Worth Alliance for repainting on December 6 and delivery to Phoenix Sky Harbor on December 17. The day after, the Cardinals used the aircraft for the first time, flying to Detroit Metropolitan for their dismal game against the Detroit Lions.

The jet, which is operated for the Cardinals by Jet Aviation Flight Services, is equipped with 28 first-class, 48 business-class, and 90 premium seats.

The Cardinals said that this season, they were the fifth-most travelling franchise in the NFL. Given the size of NFL teams - which comprise up to 53 players in addition to numerous staff members - chartering aircraft for frequent travel for away fixtures is a complicated task. The...

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US's Eastern Airlines to enter cargo market with P2F B777s

Eastern Airlines (2D, Miami Int'l) says it has secured B777 feedstock in preparation for its entry into the cargo market - the express package shipment sector specifically.

In a statement, the passenger carrier said it has acquired thirty-five B777s which it will convert into true, Class-E maindeck freighters that will be capable of carrying a full load of volumetric express cargo non-stop between Asia and the United States. However, Eastern Express Freighters will not be subject to the restrictions on cargo commodities that are imposed on conventional passenger aircraft used as freighters - preighters.

"Due to enter service in the first quarter of next year, the Eastern B777 Express Freighters will be first to market," it said. "The innovative design converts the main deck cabin of the widebody B777, the -200, -200ER, and -300 series into a true cargo aircraft. This allows the entire volume of the main deck cabin to hold low-density, express freight cargo."

According to Steve Harfst, Eastern Airlines President and CEO, future derivative plans call for the inclusion of a...