China Southern's B-5427

China Southern Airline's B-5427 (c/n 35377), is the airline's newest 737-71B. It arrived this morning from BFI, and continues across the Pacific as CSN527.

Last JAL 747 Classic flight pictures

Here are some pictures from the last JAL Classic flight.


After the crew prepared the aircraft for the flight, they came out to the gate and posed for pictures as a group and with passengers. (BTW, the banner in the background was made by yours truly using pictures of the 747-100, -200, and -300 taken at HNL. I used many pictures I personally took, but did get a couple of pictures from je89_w and from work).

This is the lei made by the Passenger Service section and draped over JA812J by the Maintenance Engineers, who can be seen at the bottom securing the lei.


This banner was held by the JAL employees as they waved goodbye to the aircraft and passengers.


JAL employees waving goodbye to the aircraft and passengers during pushback.


JA812J slowly making its way past Gate 27 during pushback.


JA812J taxiing out for takeoff.

At the gate, there was live Hawaiian music and hula, photo opportunities with JAL employees, and as mentioned above, with the crew. Each passenger was given a hand-made card with an origami crane inside when they entered the gate area and a postcard during boarding. Many of the children were also stickers of the 747-300. The proclamation by the Governor was read by the state's Tourism Liason, Marsha Weinert.

Air China's B-5436

Air China's newest 737-86N, B-5436 (c/n 36813), is making its way across the Pacific as CCA58, and has completed its first leg from BFI.

Japan Airlines Retires 747-300 Fleet

Japan Airlines flew its last 747-300 revenue flight today as JO73. The 747-300 fleet was assigned to the JALWays arm of JAL, which flies most of the Hawai‘i flights, since the DC-10-40 fleet was retired a few years ago. This signals the end of the "747 Classic" (-100, -200, & -300) with the JAL passenger fleet. The 747-400s will continue serving Hawai‘i, even though JAL is reducing that fleet by 10%, and may see more 777-200s in the future.

JA812J (c/n 23612) was the 747-346 that was selected to fly JO73, according to the folks at JAL, was to be draped with a lei before departure. A proclamation by Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle (R), that today be "Japan Airlines Classic Jumbo Jet Day".

Unfortunately, I could not make today's ceremony, but a big mahalo to the folks at Japan Airlines for the information they provided.

Hainan's B-5480

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-5480 (c/n 35648), a 737-86N(W), which completed its BFI-HNL leg this afternoon. The flight, B5480, was originally scheduled to arrive this morning, but was obviously delayed.

B-5480 is seen above taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp with a rainbow in the background.

N910SF

A DC-10-10 used by Raytheon USA, N910SF (c/n 46524) has made a stop at HNL. The former American Airlines wide-body was purchased by the US Government, for the Missile Defense Agency, to use in testing missile defense systems. It's also known as the WASP - Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform.

The left side has an opening in the forward fuselage for the test systems.

There was a truck with armed security guards near the DC-10, as well as those flood lights to keep the aircraft secure. I'm surprised that this aircraft did not park at HIK.

N910SF was here a few years ago on test missions, and proceeded to taxi to HIK after landing on Runway 4R.

QantasLink's C-FXAZ

QantasLink-Eastern Australia is taking delivery of their new Dash8-Q402, C-FXAZ (msn 4263). It's making its tech stop at HNL after its flight from CCR.

C-FXAZ will be registered as VH-QOS when it arrives Down Under.

China Eastern's B-5257

China Eastern has a new 737-79P(W), B-5257 (c/n 36759), that is on its delivery flight from BFI to PVG as CES5257, and it's parked on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp to overnight.

Air China's B-5426

Air China's newest 737-89L, B-5426 (c/n 36744) is parked on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp tonight, as the first leg of its island-hopping delivery flight, CCA58, to PEK from BFI is complete.

Sorry no HNL photo available ... nor any I could find at BFI.

Air Tahiti Nui's F-OJGF

Air Tahiti Nui's flight THT706, from PPT to HNL, made another appearance yesterday. F-OJGF (msn 385), an A340-313X, made its presence at HNL on this charter flight.

A big mahalo to S. Alvarez for taking this shot while it was being tended to at Gate 24.

Hawaiian's 1st aircraft to return to Hawaii

The first aircraft flown by Hawaiian, the Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker, will be making a return to the skies above Honolulu. The aircraft was found in Oregon and is being restored in Washington. The aircraft is scheduled to be brought to Honolulu in September.

Although the official Hawaiian Airlines anniversary date is November 11, Hawaiian actually started flying in October of 1929. It was then that Inter-Island Airways started aerial sightseeing tours of Oahu using a Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker.

Read more at:
Honolulu Advertiser
Honolulu Star Bulletin
Hawaiian press release

3-day visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan

After an official visit to Canada, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stopped over in Hawaii on July 14 for a 3 day visit. This meant that the Japanese government's 2 747-400s also visited Hawaii. The aircraft, known as Japanese Air Force One and Japanese Air Force Two, are registered 20-1101 and 20-1102.

The first aircraft (20-1102), flying as JAG001, landed at HNL with the royal couple around 14:45 and taxied over to Hickam. The second aircraft (20-1101) came in as JAG002 and landed around 15:17. The picture above is of JAG002 taxiing to Hickam.

Earlier today, the Emperor and Empress flew to KOA for a short visit to the Parker Ranch before leaving for HND.

China Southern's B-5419

B-5419 (c/n 35379), is China Southern Airlines' next 737-81B to join their fleet. It is making its delivery flight from BFI today as CSN716, and completed its first leg with a stop at HNL today.

Have A Fun Trip, je89_w

Today, one of our fellow HNL spotters, je89_w, left on JO73. This will most likely be his last trip on a JAL 747 classic since JAL will retire the 747 classic at the end of the month. This is a picture of today's JO73 departure with je89_w on it.

The last JAL 747 classic flight will be on July 30th. The last flight will be JO73. Each passenger will be given a small gift to commerate this event.

Not sure of which aircraft they will use, but it will be either JA812J or JA8166. I'm partial to wanting JA8166 because of the significance of the aircraft. JA8166 was the 50th 747 delivered to JAL. It would be fitting for the last JAL 747 classic flight from the 50th U.S. state celebrating it's 50th anniversay of becoming a state to be on the JAL's 50th 747.

AA's Flagship Freedom

This isn't the first time this aircraft has visited HNL, but it is nice to see an airline's special livery. N690AA has a yellow ribbon on the tail and named 'Flagship Freedom' to show support to all the men and women serving in the military.

N690AA came in from SFO as AA39 and departed for LAX as AA162.

N673BF

A privately-owned 767-238ER, N673BF (c/n 23402), is at HNL, that arrived from SFO yesterday.

N673BF began as a Qantas airliner, registered as VH-EAN, and delivered in May 1986. VH-EAN was withdrawn from its service with Qantas in June 2004. It was taken up by WLD, re-registered as N773WD, and stored at MHV (Mojave, CA). In November 2006, the Wilmington Trust Company acquired ownership of the 762, and re-registered it as N673BF. It is unknown who uses the jet, but has been speculated that it's leased by Google.


On its way to MHV, VH-EAN made a stop at HNL from its flight from SYD in July 2004 (five years ago!?!). I got this shot as VH-EAN rested on the north ramp hardstands. Note the kangaroo tail logo was painted over but retained the Qantas titles.

Qantas' QFA25

For the past two mornings, QFA25 (AKL - LAX), has been making tech stops at HNL.

Air Tahiti Nui's THT706

An Air Tahiti Nui flight is scheduled today to arrive this afternoon from PPT as THT706, an A340-313X.

My guess it's the charter flight that Air Tahiti Nui serves HNL on a yearly basis.

***Update 07-12-09***
The return flight to PPT, THT705, departed at 1852HST.

Air China's B-5457

Air China is taking delivery of B-5457 (c/n 36775), a 737-85N(W), which is flying as CCA58. This 73H, along with B-5455, was originally ordered by Shandong Airlines, but was transferred to Air China upon delivery, hence the Shandong -_5N Boeing customer code; while Air China's customer code is -_9L.

ex-United N373UA

A former United Airlines 737-322, N373UA (c/n 24638), is headed toward Asia from TUS via OAK, and made a stop at HNL. It's now owned by Pacific AirFinance 2 LLC of San Francisco, CA. It parked on the Bradley Pacific Aviation ramp.

N373UA did receive UA's new livery as seen here in this airliners.net link. It has been since been blanked out.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

China Eastern's B-5256

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of another 737-79P(W), B-5256 (c/n 36758). It's flying from BFI as CES299, and is parked on AirService Hawai‘i's ramp.

Sorry, no HNL photo ... though Drewski2112 got this cool landing shot at BFI during its test phase.