Qantas Airways' VH-ZNM

On a related note to our post on the 27th regarding Qantas Airways' fleet renewal, the airline has begun seasonal 787-9 DreamLiner fleet substitution for QFA103/104 today. VH-ZNM "Mateship" (c/n 66077, l/n 1035) is making today's flight. According to FlightRadar's flight data for QFA103, it appears that over the next week, 787-9s will be doing most of the flying of the route.

Qantas To Retire A330 Fleet Beginning In 2027

As part of its fleet renewal, Qantas Airways will begin retiring its 16 A330-200s and 13 A330-300s in late 2027. This move comes alongside the airline's accelerated retirement of their ten A380-800s, now scheduled to begin in 2028. Qantas has 12 A350-1000s, 12 A350-1000ULRs, and 12 787-9 DreamLiners in their order book, plus options for more airframes. The A350-1000s and 787-9s will replace the A330s, while the A350-1000ULRs will replace the A380s.

Currently, Qantas uses their A330-300s for their QFA104/103 service between SYD and HNL. Occasionally, they will substitute the smaller A330-200s. Previously, Qantas had used their 787-9s for their SYD-HNL route during the summer of 2024. It has yet to be determined which airliner type will replace the A330.

Further information in this Aviation Week article.

Air Japan Takes Over HND-HNL Service

Beginning today, All Nippon Airways' Air Japan subsidiary has taken over the HND-HNL service. The flight will still be operated as ANA186/185, with ANA 787-9 DreamLiners, but with Air Japan crews.

Royal Air Maroc's CN-RHB

Royal Air Maroc's 787-9 DreamLiner, CN-RHB (c/n 64981, l/n 1116), is making a stop at HNL from LAX tonight, as RAM3120. This 787 is wearing their new livery and decals for the Moroccan Football Federation, and the flight originated from RBA [Sale Airport, Rabat, Morocco].

64981's History:
___ 2021: Not taken up by WestJet Airlines as C-FLWH.

Dec 2024: Acquired by Royal Air Maroc as CN-RHB.

Jan 2026: Moroccan Football Federation decals applied.

28 June 2026 UPDATE

CN-RHB departed for CMN  early this morning as RAM3843.

All Nippon Airways' JA938A

All Nippon Airways is taking delivery of JA938A (c/n 66896, l/n 1293) today. This 787-9 DreamLiner is making its delivery flight from PAE to HND, with an overnight stop at HNL, as ANA9399. 

JA938A was built at CHS, and first flew on 16 April 2026. After testing, it was ferried to PAE as BOE736 on 29 May 2026.

Air Canada's YVR-HNL Adjustment

With the wind down of the winter season, Air Canada switched its daytime flight from YVR to HNL [ACA517/516] from a daily 737-8 service, to a weekly 787-9 flight on Saturdays. C-FGDX (c/n 35269, l/n 395, f/n 836) made today's flight from YVR.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines' Boeing Order

Biman Bangladesh Airlines placed an order with Boeing for four 737-8s, two 787-9s and eight 787-10s. No delivery dates have been set for this 14-plane order. We are unsure if Biman Bangladesh will make their 737-8 delivery flights across the Pacific.

Further information in this Boeing Media new release.

United Airlines To Take Delivery of 250+ Airliners By 2028

United Airlines announced today, that between now and 2028, they will take delivery of over 250 new airliners. That includes: 47 787-9s with the "Elevated" cabin, 119 737MAX series (breakdown not specified), 40 A321-200N "Coastliners", 28 A321XLRs; and 18 A321-200Ns. It's not known which of these aircraft will serve Hawai‘i after delivery. The A321neos will be replacing the airline's aging 757-200s.

Though not affecting Hawai‘i, United Airlines is also launching the Mitsubishi CRJ450, which is an upgraded CRJ200, that will be operated by SkyWest Airlines. United has 50 CRJ450s on order with Mitsubishi, and expects to have all 50 by the end of 2028.

On a related note, Simple Flying noted that United has canceled its order for 45 A350-900s with Airbus.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N783HA For Re-painting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N783HA "Me‘e" (c/n 66431, l/n 1236, f/n 783) from SEA to FTW to be painted in the global livery. 783 is the last of the four Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787-9 DreamLiners to get the new livery.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N782HA For Repainting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N782HA "Humu Ma" (c/n 66430, l/n 1223, f/n 782) from SEA to FTW for repainting into the airline's global livery. This 787-9 is flying as ASA9980, and should return to service in about three weeks.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N781HA For Repainting

Alaska Airlines ferried N781HA "Kapuahi" (c/n 66429, l/n 1172, f/n 781) from SEA to FTW early this morning for repainting into the new global livery.

Alaska Airlines' N784HA Makes First HNL Day Flight

Alaska Airlines' first 787-9 in the new global livery, N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784), made its first daytime flight to HNL from SEA this morning. This DreamLiner flew from SEA as ASA821, and will return to SEA as ASA822 this afternoon.

Alaska Airlines' N784HA

Alaska Airlines' N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784) is making its first appearance at HNL this evening. This 787-9 DreamLiner is arriving from SEA as ASA841, and will return to SEA a few hours later as ASA842.

Hawaiian Airlines' N780HA Ferried For Repainting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N780HA "Kālepa" (c/n 66428, 1097, f/n 780) from SEA to FTW for repainting into their 787 "global livery". This is the first of the four Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787-9s to undergo repainting.

29 January 2026 UPDATE

N780HA was ferried to SEA from FTW as ASA9811 this morning, and entered service from SEA to ICN as ASA871.

Alaska Airlines Rolls Out N784HA In New Livery

Alaska Airlines rolled out N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784) from the paint shop at FTW today, and will fly to BFI as ASA9978. This is Alaska Airlines' first 787-9 wearing the new global livery for the DreamLiner fleet.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Washington Huskies Bowl Charter

The Washington Huskies are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines 787-9 for their appearance in the Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk, against the Boise State Broncos. N783HA "Me‘e" (c/n 66431, l/n 1236, f/n 783) ferried from SEA to BFI as ASA9940, then flew the Huskies to LAX as ASA9681.

13 December 2025 UPDATE

The Washington Huskies returned to BFI aboard N380HA"Makali‘i" (msn 1104, f/n 380), as ASA9864, after they beat the Broncos, 38-10.

Alaska Airlines' N784HA

Alaska Airlines is taking delivery of N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n ln 1268, f/n 784) today. This white-tail 787-9 is making its delivery flight from CHS to LAX as ASA9984. It will be ferried to SKF for painting into the new Alaska Airlines "aurora borealis" livery.

Alaska Airlines Unveils A New 787 Livery

Along with announcing new service between SEA and LHR, and SEA and KEF, Alaska Airlines announced their 787-9 DreamLiner fleet will have its own livery. Based upon the Aurora Borealis, the livery will feature shades of blues and greens. The current Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787s will get this type specific livery by spring 2006. N784HA (c/n _____, l/n 1268) will be the first new-build to feature the new livery, but has yet to begin construction. The 787-9 fleet and flight crews will soon be based out of SEA.

Alaska Air Group also said that the current liveries will remain on their respective fleets. Chester the Eskimo will remain on Alaska's 737, and the E175 fleets of Horizon and SkyWest. Pualani will remain on Hawaiian's A330-200s, A321N, and 717 fleets.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

United Airlines' N24988

United Airlines' 787-9, N24988 (c/n 37449, l/n 1208, f/n 0988), is diverting to HNL. Flying as UAL153, HKG-LAX, it made the diversion over the central Pacific. This 787-9 is painted in "The Future Is SAF (sustainable aviation fuel)" special livery. It will continue onto LAX this afternoon as UAL3026.

Alaska Air Group To Convert Five 787-9 Options

In today's release of its second quarter report, the Alaska Air Group will convert five of the eight remaining 787-9 options it held with Boeing to firm orders. These additional five DreamLiners will bring the total fleet size to 17 (four in service, 13 on order). 

In March 2018, Hawaiian Airlines initially ordered ten 787-9s, with an option for another ten. The airline converted two of the options to firm orders in January 2023.

Further information in this Alaska Air Group press release.