Virgin America Special Logo Jet

Virgin America Airbus A320-214 N628VA (cn 2993) is now sporting a special "Entourage" livery and been named "Entourage Air" commemorating the HBO TV show. The aircraft is seen at the carriers San Francisco base following its introduction.

Photos by Mark Durbin

Alaska Airlines Retires MD-80 Fleet

In ceremonies held at Alaska Airlines Seattle Sea-Tac home on August 24th, the carrier offically retired it's McDonnell Douglas MD-80 fleet. The carrier took delivery of its first MD-80 (DC-9-82) N931AS (49232/1178) on February 20, 1985. The carrier operated a total of 48 MD-80s over the years which includes 8 aircraft from Long Beach based Jet America Airlines which Alaska Airlines took over in 1987. The carrier took delivery of it's last new built MD-80 (DC-9-83) N982AS (53473/2183) on May 27th 1997.

Following is the ferry flight schedule of the remaining aircraft to Victorville, California (VCV) from the carriers Seattle Sea-Tac base.

"FLT A/C ROUTE DATE ETD ETA"

9458 N961AS SEA-VCV 8/25/2008 0700 1020
9459 N972AS SEA-VCV 8/25/2008 0700 1020
9460 N975AS SEA-VCV 8/25/2008 0800 1120
9461 N958AS SEA-VCV 8/26/2008 1630 1950
9462 N968AS SEA-VCV 8/28/2008 0800 1120
9463 N977AS SEA-VCV 8/29/2008 1630 1950

Above Photo: Alaska Airlines MD-83 (DC-9-83) N958AS (53024/1825) arrives in Long Beach (LGB) on August 15th, 2008 as AS544 from Seattle (SEA). (Photo by Michael Carter)

New Slide Show Added

Today I have added a new slide show which will feature photos from my many friends. It's called Photos from the "Carter Gang Group" a name we jokingly adopted several years ago and a group to which we continually welcome new members. The inaugural edition features the photos of Robbie Shaw, Fred Seggie, Joe Fernandez, Mark Durbin, Mike Durbin, Joe G. Walker, Ryan Hales, Adrian Arzenheimer and Michael Bolden.

JetBlue announces new LGB - SFO service

JetBlue Airways announced on August 14th, that it will begin new service between Long Beach Airport (LGB) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Commencing on October 18th 2008, the carrier will begin offering twice daily non-stop flights with a third being added on November 2. All flights will utilize the 100-seat Embraer ERJ 190. Fares will be offered as low as $49 dollars each way.

Schedule effective November 2

San Francisco (SFO) to Long Beach (LGB)

Depart - Arrive

7:00am - 8:25am

11:00am - 12:25pm

4:00pm - 5:25pm

Long Beach (LGB) to San Francisco (SFO)

9:00am -10:25am

2:00pm - 3:25pm

6:00pm - 7:20pm

Flights will be on a modified schedule from October 18th - to November 2nd

Above Photo by Michael Carter

John McCain Arrives at Long Beach Airport (LGB)

Senator and Presidential Candidate John McCain arrived in Long Beach today aboard his Boeing 737-4B7 N802TJ (24874/1936) operated by Swiftair. The aircraft was originally delivered to USAir as N447US on 10/23/1990.

Photo by Michael Carter

Emirates Announces Dubai-Los Angeles Service

Emirates officially announced its new non-stop service between Dubai, United Arab Emirates and Los Angeles beginning October 26th, 2008. The announcement came as the carrier was in Los Angeles displaying it's new Airbus A380-861 on August 5th.

Emirates will operate the daily service with it's new Boeing 777-200LR on the route which features 266 seats in a three class layout. The cabin will feature eight luxurious private suites in first class, 42 of the latest lie-flat beds in business class, and 216 seats in economy class. Passengers in each class will enjoy the carriers world class inflight service with meals prepared by gourmet chefs and the carriers award-winning Digital Widescreen Entertainment with over 1,000 channels and nearly 1,700 hours of video and audio enterainment.

The non-stop flight covers a distance of 8,339 miles with a flight time of 16 hours 35 minutes to Los Angeles and 16 hours on the return to Dubai. UAE flight 215 departs Dubai at 8:20am and arrives in Los Angeles at 1:55pm with return flight 216 departing at 4:45pm arriving in Dubai at 7:40pm

The new service will operate out of the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which saw 61 million passengers pass through it's doors in 2007.

Above Photo: Emirates 777-31H/ER A6-EBP (32710/569) smokes the mains as it arrives at London Gatwick (LGW) on a lovely day. (Photo by Robbie Shaw)

San Diego International Airport to Celebrate 80th Anniversary

On Saturday August 16th, 2008, San Diego will celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Lindbergh Field now known as San Diego International Airport with a festive community event called "SAN Skyfaire."

The airport was offically dedicated on August 16th, 1928 but was in the news headlines the previous year, 1927 from where Charles A. Lindbergh commenced his historic transatlantic flight. Taking-off from Dutch Flat, Lindbergh turned the "Spirit of St. Louis" towards St. Louis and then onto New York, and finally Paris France completing this world famous flight.

San Diego saw it's population boom with the start of World War II. The U.S. Army Air Corps took over the airport in 1942 and made numerous improvements the biggest being to the runways enabling them to handle the heavy bombers produced by local manufacturers.

At the dawn of the jet-age, San Diego Municipal Airport - Lindbergh Field was well positioned to accomadate the new commercial jet airliners with it's 8,750-foot runway. In September 1960 United Airlines became the first airline to introduce pure jet service followed by American Airlines.

Today the airport is the nations busiest single runway commercial airport, having served over 17 million passengers in 2005. The airport is served by 18 air carriers and seven freight carriers and contributes $5 billion annually to the regions economy.

Above Photos by Michael Carter

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-990 N305AS (30013/774) rolls for departure on a lovely winter afternoon.

Frontier Airlines Airbus A319-111 N936FR (2392) arrives in a warm and sunny San Diego from a cold and snowy Denver in February.

New C-17A makes first flight

The latest C-17A 07-7176 (P-176) destined for Dover Air Force Base, departed Long Beach Airport (LGB) on Monday afternoon 08/11/08 on it's first pre-delivery test flight. The aircraft is caught on short final to Rwy 30 following the successful flight.

Photo by Doug Kerr

Interesting Long Beach Action

As the old photographer and spotter saying goes at Long Beach "hours of absolute boredom, seconds of pure ecstasy" has come true the past couple of days 08/11/08 & 08/12/08 as we have had a few interesting visitors pass through.

Top Photo: G-IVSP ZK-KFB (cn 1362) rolls for takeoff for a short flight to LAX. (Photo by Michael Carter)

Second Photo from Top: Cessna 421C N421CP (cn 421c0810) operated by the Orange County Container Group holds short of Rwy 30. (Photo by Michael Carter)

Third and Fourth Photo from Top: Shorts SD3-30 N262AG (cn SH3120) ex U.S. Air Force Sherpa C-23A (84-0473), is now operated by McNeely Charter Service Inc. The aircraft is seen as it taxies and then is caught rolling for takeoff takeoff on Rwy 30. (Photos by Doug Kerr)

Who is that photographer?

The "Dacman" aka "LGBGUY" hard at work at his Long Beach office.

Photo by Doug Kerr

Two nice catches at Long Beach (LGB)

On Wednesday August 6th we finally caught MD-87 N168CF (49670/1453) which is now based at Long Beach and operated by the Sunrider Corporation located in Torrance, California.

The MD-87 was originally deliverd to Aero Lloyd on 03/15/2008 as D-ALLG and later wore registrations N14708, N3H, and N143G. The aircraft now wears this smart livery and is a great catch for any spotter or photographer.

We also caught Gulfstream G550 I-LUXO (cn 5071) as it departed Long Beach, a very rare visitor indeed.

Both Photos by Michael Carter

Emirates Airbus A380-841 Arrives at LAX

Emirates A380-841 A6-EDA (cn 08) touched down on Rwy 25L this morning at Los Angeles International Airport at 0945. The aircraft departed San Francisco International Airport (SFO) at 0832 as flight UAE7223 "Super" (which replaces the old "Heavy" designation used for all other "Jumbo" aircraft) for its planned 1 hour flight to Los Angeles. Once in Los Angeles airspace though the aircraft had to fly a holding pattern for a short while as an American Airlines Boeing 757-223 made an emergency landing due to a strange oder in the cabin resulting in the closure of both south Rwy's 25R/25L. Once fire officials determined that all was safe, Rwy 25L was re-opened and the Emirates aircraf resumed it's appraoch to LAX.

The aircraft was brought to Los Angeles so that approximately 200 invited guests could take a "familiarization" flight aboard the giant aircraft. The aircraft will overnight at LAX then depart Wednesday morning and head back to New York.

Emirates will begin non-stop service between Los Angeles and Dubai on October 1st, 2008 using the Boeing 777-200LR.

Above Photos:

Emirates A380-841 A6-EDA is caught on short final to Rwy 25L on a lovely morning here in SoCal. (Photo by Michael Carter)

Arrives at the Flight Path Learning Center. (Photo by Steve Griffin)

Climbs from Rwy 25L as it departs on it's 2-hour "Familiarization" flight. (Photo by Steve Griffin)

American 757 makes emergency landing at LAX

American Airlines flight 31 bound for Honolulu, Hawaii with 188 passengers had to return to Los Angeles International Airport this morning due to a strange "oder and haze" in the passenger cabin. The aircraft, a Boeing 757-223 N192AN (32386/979) departed LAX at 08:48am but shortly after takeoff the crew declared an emergency and turned the aircraft back towards LAX making an emergency landing on Rwy 7L. As the aircraft rolled to a stop the escape slides were deployed allowing the passengers to make a quick exit resulting on the closer of Rwy 7R as well effecting the arrival of the Emirates A380 which was on final approach. It was quickly determined that there was no threat of fire or explosion and Rwy 7R/25L was reopened for the A380s arrival.

The LAFD reported that there were six injuries, all minor due to the emergency evacuation and that no fire was found on the aircraft. American Airlines mechanics are currently inspecting the aircraft to determine the origin of the oder.

Above Photos by Michael Carter

N192AN is caught on short final to Rwy 25L at LAX shortly after having its blended wiglets installed.

N192AN taxies to the terminal following its arrival LAX in March 2006.