Boeing customer code question...

[snydersnapshots]

Killing time on the computer, I came across an accident report regarding a hard landing by Boeing 767 G-OOBK. The very first thing that jumped out at me when I opened the link was the aircraft type: 767-324.

I've been aware of the Boeing customer codes since I was very young. For instance 7x7-x47 was Western Airlines; -x22 was United Airlines, and -x24 was Continental.

I'm very familiar with the Continental Airlines fleet, and I've been intimately familiar with the Continental 757 and 767 aircraft since May 2005. I know Continental operates 757-224, 757-324, 757-33N, 767-224, and 767-424. However, I have never seen a 767-324.

The only thing I can figure out is that the 767-324's were spec'd out by Continental but never delivered for some reason. I find this puzzling, given the fact that (a) CAL management always said they were short of widebodies and (b) they seem very enthusiastic about the UAL 767-300's.

Can anybody shed some light on the subject?

[CathayPacific]

CO's 767-300 has been discussed on the "other" forum.
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo....main/1553403/

It seems that CO had 10 763 on order back in 1995 but had converted the order to 767-400 before any of them are delivered to CO.

According to http://www.airframes.org/reg/goobk
G-OOBK was delivered to GECAS in 1995 and was used by Vietnam Airlines until 2004.

[Leo 747]

maybe Continental placed an order for 767-300s but then cancelled it. So the planes would still be manufactured with Continental's code, even if they're going to be operated by other company...

[snydersnapshots]

Thank you for the info Cathay and Leo. I was never aware until tonight that 767-324's even existed. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised.

After I posted this thread, I thought about the 1995 delivery date. I know Gordon Bethune got to CAL in 1994 and it was in very bad shape. I wonder if those airplanes or delivery slots were used to raise money to help save the ailing company.

I know management is very happy with the efficiency of the UAL 767-300's. I wonder if they would like to have those 324's in the current market?

[CathayPacific]

Originally Posted by snydersnapshots

I know management is very happy with the efficiency of the UAL 767-300's. I wonder if they would like to have those 324's in the current market?

If they need more 763, they can buy or lease any available 763 out there. There is no need to specifically try to get the -324. There are only 5 of those. Besides, I think they would rather wait for the 788 delivery.

[snydersnapshots]

Originally Posted by CathayPacific

If they need more 763, they can buy or lease any available 763 out there. There is no need to specifically try to get the -324. There are only 5 of those. Besides, I think they would rather wait for the 788 delivery.

I agree--I know that's what they did when they took ATA's 753's. They're bringing the UAL 763's up to CAL specs by upgrading the engines and adding CPDLC and ADS-B capability. With the 787's coming down the road shortly it wouldn't make sense to put a bunch of used 763's on the certificate now.