Boeing 767-400ER range?

[metalslug 31]

I will probably be visiting Miami, FL in Feb 2009. A good ticket right now is Delta Air Lines, from Johannesburg, South Africa via Atlanta, GA.

Here's the curious thing though;
Delta's website lists the aircraft used for the JNB-ATL flight as a Boeing 767-400ER.
Boeing's website indicates the maximum range of this aircraft as "approximately 5,635 nautical miles or 10,415 km".
The straight line distance from Johannesburg, SA to Atlanta, GA is approx. 8972 miles (14439 km)

So... how is this aircraft able to make this flight?
I realize that there are many variables in aviation fuel efficiency, but this is a fully loaded aircraft flying into a headwind (east to west trans-atlantic).
Should I be taking my rig onboard... just in case?

[vpozzoli 0]

That might explain while under the heading "Stops" you'll find "1-stop". Refueling stops do extend the range quite a bit.

Ciao,

Vale

[metalslug 31]

Ah yes, almost missed that, because it does not specify the actual stop location. I am not familiar with refuelling stops over the Atlantic so I'm quite curious as to where that stop might be. Lots of water to cross.

[vpozzoli 0]

My guess is somewhere in Europe where they'll also get a good chance of picking up more passengers. Funny though that they should leave it unspecified, OTH if you don't have to change planes it might be anywhere in the world and you don't really need to know or indeed worry about it.
Have a safe trip.

Vale

[futuredivot 0]

It'll make it all the way to the crash site

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[Squeak 17]

Quote

It'll make it all the way to the crash site

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[metalslug 31]

A bit of Google-ing revealed that it stops in Dakar, Senegal.
Probably not specified on the itinerary because it's only a fuel stop.
They wouldn't want to scare the passengers either, knowing how much Islamic-African countries love all things American.
No wonder it's the best ticket price.