VC10's will attract

Pacific passengers

October 28 will be the biggest day for many years in the South Pacific for BOAC, the British Government owned international airline.

BOAC will introduce big VC 10 jets on its trans-Pacific routes on that day, replacing its three-a-week Boeing 707 flights via Honolulu and Nadi, with five flights a week on the VClO’s.

BOAC will also begin operating out of the US West Coast from Los Angeles, California, instead of San Francisco.

New aircraft, higher frequencies and the new take-off point in the US are tipped by many to give BOAC more filled seats. Certainly, the carrier will, initially, win some extra customers.

For several years trans-Pacific

travellers haven’t had much choice of aircraft. There’s been either 707’s or DCB’s and that was it. Now they can fly an aircraft which has made big money and been a brilliant win for BOAC on heavy trans-Atlantic routes.

The VClO’s detractors say it is heavier than the 707 and so is less economical on fuel bills. They also claim the jet needs a far bigger pas senger loading than the 707 before profits are made.

Its backers say the jet looks more attractive with its rear jet engines, its seats are more comfortable and it has a better safety record than the 707.

Right or wrong, introduction of the VC 10 down south means BOAC will pay far more attention to the South Pacific area than it has done pre viously. Further increased frequencies on trans-Pacific routes, with American Airlines to show its face early next year ( PIM , Aug., p. 125), could how ever, make the current passenger load capacity on these routes of under 40 per cent, plunge even further.