Virgin Australia's VH-8IP

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IP "Bicheno Beach" (c/n 67047, l/n 9768) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. This is Virgin Australia's second 737-8 delivery this month.

18 August 2026 - 12:45 UPDATE

VH-8IP has been diverted to HNL for its overnight stop.

20 August 2026 UPDATE

VH-8IP departed for BNE this morning as VOZ9947.

Hurricane Lala Airport Updates

With Hurricane Lala approaching and expected to pass over Hawai‘i Island today, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation has already closed ITO for the day, and will close KOA around 14:00.

Flights into and out of OGG have been canceled for latter part of today.

Further information in this HDOT news release.

If you are traveling today and tomorrow, please check with your airline for flight status.

For all of our friends in Hawai‘i, please stay safe!

16 August 2026 UPDATE

Following inspections, HDOT reopened ITO and KOA this morning.

As the now-downgraded Tropical Storm Lala is now south of Kaua‘i, please check with your airline about your flight status. Some airlines have reported cancellations for today.

17 August 2026 UPDATE

Tropical Storm Lala is now west of the main Hawaiian Islands, and continuing toward the International Date Line.

China Southern Airlines' N240BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N240BE (c/n 44410, l/n 9775) from BFI to HSN for painting and cabin completion. This 737-8 is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM as BOE143. It will be given its Chinese registration prior to delivery.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IO

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IO "Vestey's Beach" (c/n 67046, l/n 9757). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. It's overnight stop at KOA is tonight.

China Southern Airlines' B-229G

The second 737-8 delivery flight to make its overnight stop at KOA, is China Southern Airlines' B-229G (c/n 60193, l/n 9733). It's flying from BFI to CAN, with stops at KOA and GUM, as CSN5683. It's also China Southern's second 737-8 delivery in six days.

China Eastern Airlines' B-229A

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-229A (c/n 64023, l/n 9677) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to PVG, with overnight stops at KOA and GUM, as CES500. It's the first of two 737-8 delivery flights at KOA today.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IM

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IM "Vivonne Bay" (c/n 67045, l/n 9738) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (following IFE modifications) to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947.

Shanghai Airlines' N233BE

Boeing is ferrying Shanghai Airlines' N233BE (c/n 64024, l/n 9720) from BFI to HSN for completion. This 737-8, flying as BOE452, will make overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will receive its Chinese registration upon delivery.

Shandong Airlines' N230BE

Boeing is ferrying Shandong Airlines' N230BE (c/n 64323, l/n 9744) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8, flying as BOE792, is making stops at KOA and GUM.

N530XT

Gryphon Trading, a Bank of Utah trustee, is ferrying their A320-232, N530XT (msn 4931), from ASP to P08, with stops at CNS, TRW, and KOA. This A320 is slated to be parted out and scrapped. Its stop at KOA is this evening.

4931's History:

Dec 2011: Delivered to Tiger Airways as 9V-TRD, under lease from Pembroke.

Jly 2013: Airline re-brands as Tigerair.

Jly 2017: Sold to Itochu, leased to Scoot as 9V-TRD, and named "Felix".

Jan 2024: Leased to Jetstar Asia as 9V-JSY.

Jly 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at SIN.

Oct 2025: Acquired by Jetstar Airways as VH-X3R, ferried to ASP for storage; never inducted into service.

Jun 2026: Acquired by Gryphon Trading as N530XT.

09 July 2026 UPDATE

N530XT departed for P08 for storage, early this morning.

Virgin Australia's VH-8IL

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8IL "Mooloolaba Beach" (c/n 67042, l/n 9708). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. Its stop at KOA is tonight.

Luftwaffe's 54+26

A Luftwaffe A400M Atlas, 54+26 (msn 086), from Luftransportgeschwader 62, is making a stop at KOA from ETNW [Wunstorf Air Base, Lower-Saxony, Germany], as GAF101.

Stratolaunch's N949SL

Stratolaunch's 747-41R, N949SL "Spirit of Mojave" (c/n 32745, l/n 1287), is making a stop at KOA from MHV as STRAT1. This 747 is a launch vehicle for the Talon-A3 hypersonic test vehicle.

32745's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Virgin Atlantic as G-VWOW "Cosmic Girl", under lease from Boeing Capital.

Nov 2015: Acquired by Virgin Galactic as N744VG "Cosmic Girl", as a launch platform.

Jly 2017: Project re-named Virgin Orbit.

Oct 2023: Acquired by Stratolaunch as N744VG "Spirit of Mojave".

Apr 2024: Re-registered as N949SL "Spirit of Mojave".

30 May 2026 - 16:00 UPDATE

N949SL departed for GUM this afternoon.

03 July 2026 UPDATE

N949SL returned to KOA from GUM.

05 July 2026 UPDATE

N949SL returned to MHV.

Virgin Australia Regional's VH-E2D

Virgin Australia Regional is taking delivery of VH-E2D "Lucky Bay" (msn 19020221). This E190-E2 is making its delivery flight from SJK to PER, with stops at BGI, OPF, TUS, KOA, NAN, and BNE as VOZ9943. It's KOA overnight stop is tonight.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VE

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of their third 737-8 this month, with VH-8VE "Kingscliff Beach" (c/n 67041, l/n 9646). It left MLB yesterday, following in-flight entertainment system upgrades, and is making its overnight stop at KOA tonight. VH-8VE arrived from ONT this afternoon as VOZ9947.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VI

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of their 150th 737 with VH-8VI "Lake Centenary" (c/n 67039, l/n 9571). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (after IFE upgrades) to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. VH-8VI has been painted in the original red fuselage dating back its days as Virgin Blue, and mixing its current grey colors.

China Southern Airlines' N253BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N253BE (c/n 44908, l/n 9649) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8 is flying as BOE142, and is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will be registered as B-228P upon delivery from HSN.

Antonov Airlines' UR-82029

Antonov Airlines' An-124-100, UR-82029 "Be Brave Like Bucha" (c/n 19530502630, l/n 02-10), is making a stop at KOA this afternoon. This Ruslan is arriving from MSY as ADB787F.

Virgin Australia's VH-8VH

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8VH "Port Noarlunga" (c/n 67038, l/n 9567) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery from MLB to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA.

China Southern Airlines' N230BE

Boeing is ferrying China Southern Airlines' N230BE (c/n 44407, l/n 9595) from BFI to HSN for cabin completion. This 737-8 is flying as BOE141, and is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM. It will be registered as B-228N upon delivery from HSN.