Originally Posted by
C11DCA
I'll take that bet.
Iberia blocks MAD-IAD at 9:10 during the summer and that is only 3300nm.
Even if you use a 4000nm range as a realistic limit (vs the 4700nm advertised) that equates to roughly 11 hours of block westbound.
3300nm/9.15 hours block x 11 hours =3967nm.
winter winds would of course shorten the range, but if it truly can do 4700nm with reserves then over 10 hour flights would be possible year round.
I am always amazed at how pilots project range. 4700 is perfect conditions and you can't fill the aircraft up. As a example the paper range o a A330-900 is 7200 miles. It's maxed out TLV to JFK which is 4900 miles. To even make that work you leave at 11 PM for cooler temps and sometimes need to block seats and often leave cargo behind. If the temps are cool enough you are at max structural weight in the winter.
Another example is FRA to JFK. It's 3300 miles and should be easy for the 757 with a 4100 mile published range. Delta tried it for a couple of months before tossing the towel in. Just would not hack it in the winter.