Is 11:40 the scheduled block time for the whales in the winter or is that the summer time block. If its the winter time block then 11:55 for the summer may not be unreasonable on the 330.

11:40 is the block time for the 747-400 on the day prior to the switchover to the A330. Its based on winds on 28 March/29 March.

11:55 is the block time for the A330 based on winds for day of changeover so one day later than above.

747-400 cruise mach = 0.85 to 0.87
A330 cruise mach = 0.82

SLC-NRT would also be 12:00 + with these winds.

Side Note: It is not unusual for SFO-NRT flights to takeoff at MAX Structural GW, same model 330 as the one that will be flying LAX-NRT and SLC-NRT.

Generally they don't make daily or even monthly adjustment to the block. Its normally seasonal. The number you need to look at for the 747-400 would be what they are blocking it at today. If its blocked at 11:40 today they should not have any problems with the 330 for the summer. If however the switchover to summer block times is done on 15 May as a example then there may be a issue. If the 400 has been making it in the winter under 12 hours however there should not be a problem with the 330 making it under 12 hours in the summer. The good news is the FAA is all over Delta on this issue since they have pushed it in several markets. The rule is that the flight must come in under 12 hours 70 percent of the time to remain with a 3 man crew. The Delta flight planning system does not give the company the ability to fudge the numbers. It is very accurate on flight times. The varible is taxi time. Delta has been known to get special taxi clearances for flights that look like they will go outside the 70 percent rule to speed things up. Moscow-Atlanta on the 767ER is a example. You also get arrival priority on that flight. They don't grant exemptions so if you only make it 69% of the time you have to drop the route or add the 4th crewmembers or bunks.

I can tell you that we were looking at the bunk mods in France last week. ALPA that is. I had a little bird tell me that 12 or so of the 330-200's were going to get the bunks!

I doubt the bunk mods will get installed in ANY A330s prior to the startup of LAX-NRT on the A330

NW has changed block times within their published timetable when they think it saves them money. NWALPA won a grievance years ago that the company had to pay us based on their published public timetable. This kept them from padding the times for On Time performance but paying us a lot less than the padded time.

As far as summer flying is concerned, the A330 may or may not make it in under 12 hours. It depends on the flight path. Our dispatchers have sent us on very southern routes for turbulence avoidance (i.e. not NOPAC). For the week that the A330 replaces the 747-400 on LAX-NRT service, the 747 scheduled block time is 11:40 (winter winds)

The decsion on the mods have not been made yet, forward vs aft...think its still a ways off.

Management has decided to fly this route with the existing one bunk configuration while they are deciding on the crew bunk facility.

Apparently they can fly it illegally for six months at which point they must either have the aircraft modified or must discontinue the service with that aircraft if it is over 12 hours block to block.

Should be interesting, I had one of the senior A330 instructors tell me that they are NOT going to buy the pilot bunk facility under the floor.

I am still betting they come to the MEC for a CONCESSION on the existing language for 8-12 hour flights that will allow them to remove the rest seat and jumpseat and all the other goodies in the existing bunk room so the can add a cramped second bunk.

Both mods require extensive modification(lots of money), I can assure you that the under floor bunk is in play as much as the one aft of the flight deck.

I doubt that either one will be in an actual aircraft prior to 29 March.