HNL RareBirds: Qantas' VH-XZA

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of their newest 737-838, VH-XZA (c/n 39367, l/n 4150) today. It's making its delivery flight as QFA6024.

Our Mission

This is the original, definitive news blog about the Honolulu International Airport (HNL) by a team of airline and aviation enthusiasts, planespotters, and photographers.

We cover airlines and airliners that are rare to Hawai‘i, and make stop overs at HNL. We also cover HNL (and airline) media events, airline news affecting Hawai‘i, rarebirds visiting Neighbor Island airports, and military rarebirds.

"Our little corner of the Pacific on the Internet." -- PanAm Hawaii

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Mahalo, Blue Wave 707
(Founder & Chief Editor)

The Fine Print ...

All of the photographs on the HNL RareBirds blog are copyrighted to, and property of the photographer who posted, or submitted the photograph.

All photographs downloaded from the HNL RareBirds blog are strictly intended for personal use only.

Any person or entity, including news media outlets (print, television and/or online), who would like to use any of our photographs, for any purpose other than personal use, must contact the photographer in writing (or by email) to obtain permission to use their photograph(s). If not, your actions constitutes copyright infringement, along with a lack of morals and ethics.

Any photograph posted on this blog that was obtained from another source, will be acknowledged as such.

All inquiries can also be made to: HNLRareBirds@gmail.com

Disclaimer

HNL RareBirds is not affiliated with any airline, corporation, the Honolulu International Airport, the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation's Airports Division, nor any other state or federal governmental agency.
We cannot promise nor guarantee that we can get every rarebird that passes through HNL, but we will do our best to document and/or photograph each one that we do catch, and provide the most accurate information and history on that aircraft.
We will do our best to remain objective. However, any comments, views, and opinions expressed on this blog by an HNL RareBirds team member, belong solely to the person posting the item, and may not reflect the views of the entire HNL RareBirds team.
We are also not responsible for any comments made by non-HNL RareBirds team members. They are solely their own opinions.
Any comments that we find offensive, derogatory, and/or irrelevant will be immediately removed.
Any questions and/or concerns can be sent to: HNLRareBirds@gmail.com

Spotting at HNL

This is an unofficial guide to aircraft spotting locations around the Honolulu International Airport (HNL). HNL RareBirds will not accept any responsibility for any actions taken (or conduct) by individuals while engaging in planespotting and/or photography. Each person assumes responsibility for their own actions while spotting and/or photographing around HNL (or any other Hawai‘i airport).

If you have a boarding pass, HNL offers a few open air locations in the Main Terminal, between the three concourses, that offers clear views of aircraft. The Inter-Island Terminal's walkways have been enclosed. Some of the gates also provide excellent viewing spots as well.

There are two locations on the southeast side of HNL, on Lagoon Drive, where spotting is possible. The first is at the extreme south end of Lagoon Drive, in the General Aviation parking lot. This location is excellent for watching traffic depart from the Runway 8R, “the Reef Runway”, and arrivals to both Runways 4L & 4R, during tradewind weather (which is 90-95% of the time). There is a fence to contend with, and standing on one’s car is way to overcome that.

The second location, a parking lot on Palekona Street, is a good location to watch Runway 22L departures, or Runway 4R arrivals.

The length of Lagoon Drive past Aolele Street is a No Parking Zone, none of side streets, except Palekona Street and Kalewa Street have public parking.

It's not advised to do any spotting along Elliott Street as well, since the area is a No Parking Zone.

Please do not encroach on any private property to do any spotting, unless you obtain permission.

There are several times during the course of the year when the winds shift from the northeast tradewinds to the southwesterly “Kona” winds. When these winds occur, the traffic is reversed. Landing traffic will make their final approach abeam the world-famous Waikīkī Beach for both Rwys 26L & 26R. Departing traffic will depart west-bound Rwy 26L (heavy jet) & 26R (inter-island) , or south-bound on Rwy 22L (heavy jet).

The top floor of the Inter-Island Terminal’s parking structure offer great views of the ‘Ewa end of the main terminal. While the 6th level offers a view of the Inter-Island and Commuter Terminals. However, loitering is not advised.

Four caveats:
1) You may be subject to questioning and an ID check by either the Hawai‘i State Sheriff's Department (the governing law enforcement agency of HNL), or by the private security firm that also guards HNL, especially if they see you with any kind of camera in any of these spotting locations. Please be courteous, and cooperative with them, and comply.

2) If you plan an extended stay in Honolulu, you may want to contact the airport manager’s office to apply for a hobby photographers permit. It’s free, and it will allow you to take photos around HNL, as long it is for personal use and non-commercial purposes.

3) There are no rest rooms, nor water fountains in either Lagoon Drive spotting locations. The nearest public lavatory is at Ke‘ehi Park. There are two convenience stores at the corner of Aolele Street and Lagoon Drive for food and drink. There are also a number of take-out eateries from Paiea Street to Lagoon Drive. The spotting locations can get quite warm and sunny, therefore, sunblock and drinks are strongly recommended. These locations also have little, or no shade areas. Do not litter and no alcohol consumption!

4) It is recommended to have a rental car when spotting on the Lagoon Drive side of HNL. The municipal bus line, The Bus, no longer has bus service down Lagoon Drive. The nearest bus stop is along Nimitz Highway, or outside HNL's Main Terminal. Taxi fares can run as high as US$50 between Waikīkī and HNL, each way. There also are no pay phones, so it is advised you carry a mobile phone.

HNL RareBirds

22 August 2012

Qantas' VH-XZA

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