 When Alaska bought Virgin America, they got an order for A321neos as part of the deal.  When the merger was completed, Alaska painted some jets in their More To Love scheme to sell everyone on what the bigger airline had to offer.  Two of the neos were painted in this livery.  I have shot them both.  Recently I caught one of them and it seems to have had a need for a replacement radome as the nose doesn’t go with the rest of the paint.  Sadly, while there may have been more to love, Alaska doesn’t love these jets and they will be gone in October 2023, ending the use of Airbus jets in their fleet.  They will then be “Proudly All Boeing” (and Embraer!).
When Alaska bought Virgin America, they got an order for A321neos as part of the deal.  When the merger was completed, Alaska painted some jets in their More To Love scheme to sell everyone on what the bigger airline had to offer.  Two of the neos were painted in this livery.  I have shot them both.  Recently I caught one of them and it seems to have had a need for a replacement radome as the nose doesn’t go with the rest of the paint.  Sadly, while there may have been more to love, Alaska doesn’t love these jets and they will be gone in October 2023, ending the use of Airbus jets in their fleet.  They will then be “Proudly All Boeing” (and Embraer!).
Tag Archives: Airbus
Two Goes At Singapore Arrivals
 Singapore Airlines has been flying into SEA for a while.  Initially they stopped at Vancouver and then continued to SEA before reversing the journey, but I guess loads were good enough that they changed to a direct flight.  It arrives first thing in the morning and then heads out mid morning to go home.  I have tried to get shots of it but the combination of weather issues and making it work for a weekend morning when I can plausibly be there has been tricky.  One weekend, the weather wasn’t great, but I decided to give it a go.
Singapore Airlines has been flying into SEA for a while.  Initially they stopped at Vancouver and then continued to SEA before reversing the journey, but I guess loads were good enough that they changed to a direct flight.  It arrives first thing in the morning and then heads out mid morning to go home.  I have tried to get shots of it but the combination of weather issues and making it work for a weekend morning when I can plausibly be there has been tricky.  One weekend, the weather wasn’t great, but I decided to give it a go.
 I was looking to shoot from a location that gives an angle on the touchdown zone which I figured would help overcome the less than ideal weather conditions with more ground in the shot.  However, I was disappointed to find that they were bringing the jet in on the outer runway.  Consequently, it was a bit more distant than ideal (although the crummy weather meant haze was less of an issue than might otherwise have been the case).
I was looking to shoot from a location that gives an angle on the touchdown zone which I figured would help overcome the less than ideal weather conditions with more ground in the shot.  However, I was disappointed to find that they were bringing the jet in on the outer runway.  Consequently, it was a bit more distant than ideal (although the crummy weather meant haze was less of an issue than might otherwise have been the case).
 The following week, I had a second go.  The weather was slightly better but still not great.  I was rather worried that I was going to have a repeat of the previous week.  Not great conditions and would it go to the outside.  As I watched the track inbound, I could see a bunch of other aircraft vectoring in for their approaches.  Busy arrivals can often mean the heavies get sent to the inner runway to avoid wake turbulence requirements causing delays to the narrow bodies.  This was the case and I got what I was after.  The only issue was that there were quite a few planes taxiing out for departure and obscuring my shot (and throwing out some heat as well).  However, I did get a shot so let’s count that as a win.
The following week, I had a second go.  The weather was slightly better but still not great.  I was rather worried that I was going to have a repeat of the previous week.  Not great conditions and would it go to the outside.  As I watched the track inbound, I could see a bunch of other aircraft vectoring in for their approaches.  Busy arrivals can often mean the heavies get sent to the inner runway to avoid wake turbulence requirements causing delays to the narrow bodies.  This was the case and I got what I was after.  The only issue was that there were quite a few planes taxiing out for departure and obscuring my shot (and throwing out some heat as well).  However, I did get a shot so let’s count that as a win.
Take the A340 Chances When You Can
 Who knows how long the A340s will last.  I thought I had probably seen the last of them but Lufthansa was kind enough to make them a feature of their winter schedule to Seattle.  Of course, not running every day combined with the great winter weather that Seattle is known for meant the chances of getting good shots were limited.  Even when the conditions were favorable, they departed in the middle of the day which meant high sun angles and more glare.  However, when the conditions were as good as could be expected, I took the chances that were available.  Here are some shots from probably the last season.
Who knows how long the A340s will last.  I thought I had probably seen the last of them but Lufthansa was kind enough to make them a feature of their winter schedule to Seattle.  Of course, not running every day combined with the great winter weather that Seattle is known for meant the chances of getting good shots were limited.  Even when the conditions were favorable, they departed in the middle of the day which meant high sun angles and more glare.  However, when the conditions were as good as could be expected, I took the chances that were available.  Here are some shots from probably the last season.
NEO Versus Not-NEO
 For some reason I was thinking about the comparison between the neo and classic versions of the A320 family and it got me wondering whether I had any shots that would provide a good direct comparison between the old and new versions.  The answer I came up with was shots of American Airlines’ A321s departing LAX.  They provided the combination of reliable lighting and similar angles on the climb out.  I was able to put the two together in one shot.  Externally, the differences are there to be seen but, if you are not knowing what to look for, you probably wouldn’t tell them apart.  Given the significant performance increase the neo brings, it would be easy to miss.
For some reason I was thinking about the comparison between the neo and classic versions of the A320 family and it got me wondering whether I had any shots that would provide a good direct comparison between the old and new versions.  The answer I came up with was shots of American Airlines’ A321s departing LAX.  They provided the combination of reliable lighting and similar angles on the climb out.  I was able to put the two together in one shot.  Externally, the differences are there to be seen but, if you are not knowing what to look for, you probably wouldn’t tell them apart.  Given the significant performance increase the neo brings, it would be easy to miss.
Another Delta A350 – This One From TAM
 Delta acquired a bunch of A350s when airlines were disposing of them and they have progressively been heading from storage at Victorville to Singapore for reconfiguration.  I have posted about these already with a couple of LATAM jets having come through.  The most recent one I saw was actually an ex-TAM aircraft.  Again, not the best of conditions for shooting its arrival but it was still fun to see something you would normally never see at SEA.  It was a bit damp so there was a little vapor over the wings which was nice.  Next time I see it, it will be indistinguishable from the other Delta A350s.
Delta acquired a bunch of A350s when airlines were disposing of them and they have progressively been heading from storage at Victorville to Singapore for reconfiguration.  I have posted about these already with a couple of LATAM jets having come through.  The most recent one I saw was actually an ex-TAM aircraft.  Again, not the best of conditions for shooting its arrival but it was still fun to see something you would normally never see at SEA.  It was a bit damp so there was a little vapor over the wings which was nice.  Next time I see it, it will be indistinguishable from the other Delta A350s.
United’s Oldest A320 Heads West
 I was reading a couple of articles that were discussing old jets getting retired.  The original MD-11 was retired by FedEx and, when I checked my catalog, I didn’t have any shots of it.  United has retired its oldest A320 so I looked for that one too.  Turns out I did shoot it once.  It was arriving at O’Hare and was painted in the colors of Ted – United’s short-lived low-cost airline.  I guess the jet lasted longer than Ted did!
I was reading a couple of articles that were discussing old jets getting retired.  The original MD-11 was retired by FedEx and, when I checked my catalog, I didn’t have any shots of it.  United has retired its oldest A320 so I looked for that one too.  Turns out I did shoot it once.  It was arriving at O’Hare and was painted in the colors of Ted – United’s short-lived low-cost airline.  I guess the jet lasted longer than Ted did!
Alaska’s A320s Are Gone
 Alaska Airlines never wanted the Airbus fleet that it inherited when it bought Virgin America.  They did operate them for a long time and they did get repainted in Alaska colors but first the A319s were withdrawn and now the A320s are gone.  The A321neos will follow before long but here is a sample of the A320s that are now consigned to history.
Alaska Airlines never wanted the Airbus fleet that it inherited when it bought Virgin America.  They did operate them for a long time and they did get repainted in Alaska colors but first the A319s were withdrawn and now the A320s are gone.  The A321neos will follow before long but here is a sample of the A320s that are now consigned to history.
Better Timing With This Ex-LATAM Delta A350
 The movement of the ex-LATAM Airbus A350s that Delta has picked up on their way to Singapore via Seattle got me out once before.  The jet was arriving after dark but I gave it a go anyway.  The next one to make the move from California to Singapore came through at a more convenient time for me being both daylight and also when I wasn’t at work!  The weather was not perfect but the sun did pop out which made for some reasonable lighting and it was a chance to catch a jet in LATAM colors which I probably won’t get very often.
The movement of the ex-LATAM Airbus A350s that Delta has picked up on their way to Singapore via Seattle got me out once before.  The jet was arriving after dark but I gave it a go anyway.  The next one to make the move from California to Singapore came through at a more convenient time for me being both daylight and also when I wasn’t at work!  The weather was not perfect but the sun did pop out which made for some reasonable lighting and it was a chance to catch a jet in LATAM colors which I probably won’t get very often.
Four Seasons Traveling in Style
 A few years ago, I was doing a photo flight over LAX and, on the south side of the airfield at one of the FBOs, a black 757 was parked with marking of the Four Seasons hotel group.  This jet was used for some pretty high end tour operations.  Not the sort of thing I am likely to be on!  The 757 was aging and, in discussion with some friends online, I heard that they had switched to an Airbus A321neo.  Lo and behold, a few days later, it came to Seattle.
A few years ago, I was doing a photo flight over LAX and, on the south side of the airfield at one of the FBOs, a black 757 was parked with marking of the Four Seasons hotel group.  This jet was used for some pretty high end tour operations.  Not the sort of thing I am likely to be on!  The 757 was aging and, in discussion with some friends online, I heard that they had switched to an Airbus A321neo.  Lo and behold, a few days later, it came to Seattle.
 I wasn’t able to get it arriving (although it came back again another time and I did then) but the departure was on a day that I was free.  The jet is in a similar livery to the 757 looking black from a distance.  I am not sure whether it is actually black or a deep purple color but, when the sun glints off it, there is a colorful tinge to it.  Departures were to the north so it crossed the runway to taxi by me and then turned for the take off roll.  They were heading to Hawaii so I imagine the guests were looking forward to some fun in the islands.  The aircraft is actually operated by Titan out of the UK.  I wonder whether the crews like this gig or whether it is a bit of a drag?
I wasn’t able to get it arriving (although it came back again another time and I did then) but the departure was on a day that I was free.  The jet is in a similar livery to the 757 looking black from a distance.  I am not sure whether it is actually black or a deep purple color but, when the sun glints off it, there is a colorful tinge to it.  Departures were to the north so it crossed the runway to taxi by me and then turned for the take off roll.  They were heading to Hawaii so I imagine the guests were looking forward to some fun in the islands.  The aircraft is actually operated by Titan out of the UK.  I wonder whether the crews like this gig or whether it is a bit of a drag?
Delta/LATAM Comes in After Dark
 Delta picked up a few ex-LATAM Airbus A350-900s as part of that airlines restructuring during the downturn in the airline business caused by the pandemic.  They went initially in to storage and then have been progressively moved to Singapore for updating to the Delta configuration.  Seattle has been the location for them to come through on their way to Asia.  I have missed a few but one was due to come through when I could see it.  Sadly, it departed a little late from Victorville and was showing due in after dark.
Delta picked up a few ex-LATAM Airbus A350-900s as part of that airlines restructuring during the downturn in the airline business caused by the pandemic.  They went initially in to storage and then have been progressively moved to Singapore for updating to the Delta configuration.  Seattle has been the location for them to come through on their way to Asia.  I have missed a few but one was due to come through when I could see it.  Sadly, it departed a little late from Victorville and was showing due in after dark.
 Since it was an unusual movement, I figured it was still worth the effort.  I would use the 500mm since it has a wider aperture and test the low light capabilities of the camera to the full.  It still meant some very low shutter speeds but I let the tech compensate for my low skill levels.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well some of them came out given the lack of light.  Since this shoot, I did also reprocess with PureRAW3 and this improved the quality of the shot further.
Since it was an unusual movement, I figured it was still worth the effort.  I would use the 500mm since it has a wider aperture and test the low light capabilities of the camera to the full.  It still meant some very low shutter speeds but I let the tech compensate for my low skill levels.  I was pleasantly surprised by how well some of them came out given the lack of light.  Since this shoot, I did also reprocess with PureRAW3 and this improved the quality of the shot further.














