Pacific Service

Stratocruisers on Trans- Pacific Service

PAN American Airways have introduced giant Boeing Stratocruisers on their Sydney-North American route. They have been using them on their Pacific Coast-Honolulu services for some time.

The first Stratocruiser arrived in Sydney after flying the Pacific in early March. PAA, in line with their usual practice, call their new aircraft Strato Clippers. They have now gone onto the regular Sydney-North American service.

The aircraft will carry 56 passengers.

There are 39 Sleeperettes and 17 berths.

Passengers 'who have berths use con ventional airliner seats during the day.

There is no difference in the fare, which ever type of accommodation the passenger chooses.

The Strato Clippers have two decks. On the lower deck is a club-lounge, bar and observation compartment.

Tontouta is Out for Present

BECAUSE Tontouta airport (New Caledonia) is not up to the standard required for the giant Boeing plane, this call has been cut out by PAA for the present. The company has applied to the Governments concerned for a permit to operate a shuttle service with DC4’s from Australia to New Caledonia and on to Fiji, but although there has been much negotiation (see page 26 this issue) no permission had been granted for the service up to March 15.

New Zealand Link

A SERVICE will be run with DC 4 Clippers between Auckland, NZ and Nadi, Fiji, and return to link up with the Strato Clippers.