China Airlines' B-1866

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features China Airlines' 747-209B, B-1866 (c/n 21843, l/n 386) as it taxied to Runway 26L on Taxiway RT. This 1997 photo shows B-1866 about to return to TPE (via NRT) as CAL17.

21843's History:

Jly 1979: Delivered to China Airlines.

___ 1996: Painted in the current livery.

May 1999: Re-registered as B-18255.

May 2002: Crashed 20 minutes after departing TPE on 25 May 2002, as CAL611 [TPE-HKG], all 225 aboard killed.

B-18255 was on its last flight for China Airways, and was scheduled to be sold to Orient Thai Airways.

China Airlines' B-18110 And B-18111

A pair of China Airlines A321-271NXs, B-18110 (msn 10939) and B-18111 (msn 11040), have stopped off at HNL from TPE, via GUM and MAJ. B-18111 arrived first as CAL1592, then followed by B-18110 as CAL1590. Both A321Ns parked on the North Ramp, and will be transporting Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te, his staff, and press corps on his tour of a few islands in the South Pacific.

02 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18110 departed for MAJ as CAL1586 early this morning, and B-18111 departed for MAJ later in the morning as CAL1588.

China Airlines' B-18918

China Airlines' A350-941, B-18918 (msn 239), is making a stop at HNL, as it transports Taiwan's President Ching-te "William" Lai around the South Pacific. The Airbus/Caron Fibre special-liveried A350 is flying as CAL1588. President Lai is scheduled to spend time here meeting with local and US officials.

01 December 2024 UPDATE

B-18918 returned empty to TPE as CAL1591.

VP-COQ

Avolon is ferrying VP-COQ (c/n 40946. l/n 4916) from  TPE to BYH, via GUM, HNL, and SBD. This 737-8MA, was delivered to China Airlines as B-18656 in May 2014, and flew until Jan 2022. It has been sitting in storage since, and now making its lease return flight.

Taiwan Government Approves China Airlines Name Change

Taiwan's Legislative Yuan (parliament) approved the name change of China Airlines today. The 60-year-old carrier will be allowed to rebrand its name, livery, and corporate identity both English and Chinese. The request to change had surfaced this past April, especially with the China Corona Virus, and the confusion between The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People's Republic of China.

No formal proposal nor timetable has been announced by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, but the three main contenders being tossed around are Taiwan Airlines, Formosa Airlines, and Yushan Airlines.

Further information in this Taiwan News article, Taipei Times article, and Airways Magazine article.

China Airlines B-18918

Finally making an appearance into HNL, is China Airlines' Carbon fiber liveried A350-941, B-18918 (MSN 239), it is the last of 14 ordered by the airline.

China Airlines Launches A350 Service To Hawai‘i

Today marked the first time that a A350-941 operated a revenue flight to Hawaii. Taipei's national carrier China Airlines, will now utilize the newest offering from Airbus on it's TPE-HNL-TPE (CAL1, CAL2) route.

Although the first revenue flight arrived today, it was not the first time that a A350 has visited Hawaii. On Friday evening, China Airlines' B-18901 (msn 049) arrived carrying Taipei's President and the CEO of China Airlines. It will remain in Hawaii while President Tsai Ing-wen is visiting the South Pacific region.

The tour of the South Pacific segment will be flown by B-18660 (c/n 41349, l/n5815) . The 737-8SH was ferried from Taipei via Guam and Majuro.

China Airlines To Go A350 In 2017

CH-Aviation reports that China Airlines will put their new A350-900 on their HNL service [CAL18] in the summer of 2017, to replace the current A330-300.

China Airlines SkyTeam A330-302

China Airlines has switched out its normal equipment for CAL18/17 to and from Narita International Airport (NRT/RJAA). The normal 747-409s has been replaced by their A330-302s. Flying today, B-18311 (c/n 752) wears the SkyTeam Alliance livery. China Airlines joined SkyTeam on 09/28/2011, and is the 15th member of the alliance.

China Airlines Skyteam 747-409

Today, China Airlines used B-18206 (c/n 29030, l/n 1145), which is painted in the Skyteam livery, for its CI18/17 flights between NRT and HNL. It's seen above parked at Gate 28.

A Skyteam partner (Korean Airlines) A330-300, is parked at the next gate to its left, at Gate 29, as KAL51/52 (ICN-HNL).

China Airlines' B-18605

This month's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to November 14, 1998, and the delivery flight of China Airlines' 737-809, B-18605 (c/n 28404, l/n 130). It's seen above, on the Anderson Aviation ramp, with a double rainbow in the background.

B-18605 remains with China Airlines. In 2007, the 737-809 was fitted with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets™.

China Airlines "50 Years"

Due to a mechanical issue, this 747-409 as CI17/18 departed one day behind schedule. B-18208 (c/n 29031, l/n 1186) wears a special decal commemorating 50 years of service well past 2009.

China Airlines To End First Class for CAL18/17

China Airlines has announced that they will discontinue first class service on their NRT-HNL flight, effective 14 August 2011. CAL18/17, operated with a 747-409, will be re-configured into a two-class configuration (C70Y319). The flight will also go daily from the same day.

News from Airliner Route.

China Airlines' B-18202 (c/n 28710, l/n 1132), 747-409, is seen above rolling out on HNL's Runway 4R. It was delivered to CAL in October 1997.

China Airlines' B-18210

B-18210 (c/n 33734, l/n 1353), the China Airlines' Boeing Dreamliner-liveried 747-409 was in town today as CAL18/17 (NRT).

China Airlines' B-18601

Our May edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" shows one of the early models of the 737-800. Line number 113 was built for China Airlines, and is registered as B-18601 (c/n 28402, l/n 113). It was delivered to China Airlines in October 1998, and seen above on the Anderson Aviation ramp during its overnight stop at HNL. This was the first of 14 737-809s China Airlines acquired.

B-18601 was transferred to their Mandarin Airlines subsidiary in November 2000 for a five month stint. It continues to fly for China Airlines.

This one of the first delivery flight photos I took.

China Airlines "Sweet"

Today's CAL18/17 (NRT) was operated by ship B-18311 (c/n 752), in the special "Sweet" livery. Today is the last day for China Airlines equipment swap of A330-302s, and will be returning to 747-409s tomorrow.

China Airlines Downgrades To A330-300s

China Airlines has downgraded CAL18/17 (NRT) from their 747-409s to A330-302s. The change began on April 12th, and will continue until the 24th, though that may be subject to change.

Seen above, is China Airlines' B-18315 (msn 823) that was delivered in March 2007.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo.

China Airlines "Dreamliner"

Today, China Airlines used their "Dreamliner"-liveried 747-409 (B-18210, c/n 33734) for the charter flight from Taipei as CI 2001/2002.

China Airlines Special Livery A330-302

Today, CI's flight was operated by B-18311, which is in a special livery called "Fruit Sweet." This livery features various fruits and the word "Sweet" on the rear half fuselage.

Sorry, no picture of it in HNL, but here's a link to airliners.net with pictures of B-18311 in this livery.

http://www.airliners.net/search/photo.search?regsearch=B-18311&distinct_entry=true

China Airlines' B-18601

Today's edition of HNL RareBirds Classic features China Airlines' 737-809, B-18601 (c/n 28402). It's seen above resting at HNL's south side during its delivery flight from BFI.

From November 2000 to October 2001, B-18601 flew with China's subsidiary, Mandarin Airlines.

In 2006, B-18601 received a set of Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets.