United Airlines' N91007

United Airlines' 787-10, N91007 (c/n 40929, l/n 548, f/n 1007) that was painted in their America 250 special livery a couple of weeks ago, is making a stop at HNL today as UAL219 from ORD. It will return to ORD as UAL218, later this afternoon.

40929's History:

May 2017: Used by Boeing as a 787-10 testbed, registered as N548ZC.

May 2019: Delivered to United Airlines as N91007.

Jun 2026: Painted in the America 250 special livery.

United Airlines CEO Hints At Merger With American Airlines

CH-Aviation reports that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has posed the idea of a merger between his airline and American Airlines. No one is commenting on how far these talks have gone so far, but Kirby also approached some federal officials the possible merger.

If such a merger would take place, it would form the largest airline in the US, and possibly in the world, with a combined fleet of over 2,100 airliners.

Such a move as this will have to go through the federal government regulatory and antitrust process. It would be protested by Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group, and the other smaller carriers.

ANALYSIS

If this merger were to happen, the effect on the Hawai‘i market would be impacted on two destinations, LAX and ORD, where service would have to be consolidated.

18 April 2026 UPDATE

American Airlines released a statement today, that said they are not interested nor pursuing a merger with United Airlines.

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.

United Airlines' GUM Base To Switch To 737-8s

United Airlines has sent its first 737-8 to its GUM base, to begin the switch from the 737-824s to the 737-8s. N17302 (c/n 67559, l/n 8560, f/n 7302) began its ferry flight from MIA to GUM, with overnight stops at SFO and HNL. The MIA-SFO leg was flown as UAL3937, SFO-HNL as UAL3938, and HNL-GUM as UAL3939. There are 11 737-824s based at GUM, and it will be a one-for-one swap.

More 737-8s will be ferrying through HNL from next month, then the 737-824s will be ferried to the mainland.

Further information in this United Airlines press release.

Mahalo to Instagram user @palauanguy for the top photo taken at GUM.

United Airlines To Switch To 737-8s For GUM Ops

United Airlines announced that they will be upgrading their 737-824s to 737-8s for their operations based at GUM. The airline will base ten 737-8s beginning in February 2026. United also announced that they will be upgrading their check-in lobby at GUM. Also, they will be making a seasonal flight between San and GUM, to allow better connectivity to HNL.

The "Island Hopper" service will be one of the routes with the 737-8s to/from HNL.

Further information in this United Airlines press release.

Stanford Cardinal Team Charter

The Stanford Cardinal football team is chartering a United Airlines 757-300 for their "Week Zero" road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N57863 (c/n 32587, l/n 980, f/n 0863), a 757-33N, is flying from SFO as UAL3797. The Cardinal will return to SFO on the 24th, as UAL3797. N57863 will re-enter service tomorrow morning.

32587's History:

Sep 2001: Delivered to American Trans Air as N553TZ (f/n 553), under lease from Boeing Capital.

Mar 2003: Airline rebrands as ATA Airlines.

Dec 2005: Leased to Continental Airlines as N57863 (f/n 863).

Oct 2010: Transferred to the United Airlines fleet after merging with Continental.

Jly 2022: Painted in the current livery.

24 August 2025 UPDATE

Following the walk-off field goal loss to the Rainbow Warriors, the Cardinal returned SFO as UAL3797. Another 757-33N, N77871 (c/n 33526, l/n 1032, f/n 0871), flew the team back this morning.

33526's History:

Jly 2003: Delivered to American Trans Air as N561TZ (f/n 561), under lease from Boeing Capital.

Apr 2008: Ferried to VCV following ATA's shut down.

Feb 2010: Leased to Continental Airlines as N77871 (f/n 871).

Oct 2010: Transferred to the United Airlines fleet after merging with Continental.

Feb 2025: Painted in the current livery.

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.

Dead Stowaway Found At OGG

A deceased stowaway was found in one of the main landing gear wells of a United Airlines 787-10 at OGG, after it arrived from ORD as UAL202 this afternoon. N12010 (c/n 40926, l/n 948, f/n 1010) made the flight today, when ground crews discovered the body.

Further details in this KHON2 News report.

United Airlines' N14506

United Airlines' A321-271NX, N14506 (msn 11680, f/n 4506), is making an ETOPS proving flight from SFO to HNL as UAL3898. It's scheduled to return to SFO tomorrow as UAL3899.

United Airlines' Fantasy Flight

The HNL Station for United Airlines hosted a Fantasy Flight for children battling life-threatening illness, special needs, and children from Gold Star families and fallen heroes today. N774UA (c/n 26936, l/n 2, f/n 2474), a 777-222, made the 50-minute flight from HNL's Gate F2 to the United's Hangar, as UAL3894. United employees, along with several non-profit organizations, volunteered their time to make this annual flight happen. UAL3894 landed on Runway 8R, and taxied to their hangar, where there was a Christmas party for the children and their families.

UAL 3894 was the first of the 13 Fantasy Flights around United's global network, this Christmas season. The other 12 cities hosting Fantasy Flights are: NRT, GUM, LAX, SFO, DEN, ORD, CVG, IAH, IAD, EWR, FLL, and LHR.

Further information in this United Airlines press release.

UCLA Bruins Team Charter

The UCLA Bruins football team chartered a United Airlines 777-222ER for their road game versus the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. The Bruins flew aboard N222UA (c/n 30553, l/n 352, f/n 2822) from LAX to HNL as UAL3802.

N222UA will reposition to fly as UAL252 to IAH. A different 777 will pick up the team following the game.

UCLA Bruins football team's Instagram post of their arrival at HNL.

01 September 2024 UPDATE

The Bruins will leave this afternoon to return to LAX aboard N781UA (c/n 26945, l/n 40, f/n 2481) as UAL3802.

Stanford Cardinal Team Charter

The Stanford University Cardinal football team is using a United Airlines 757-324 for its team charter to Honolulu, to play the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Friday evening. N75854 (c/n 32813, l/n 999, f/n 0854) is making the charter flight from SJC as UAL2519. The Cardinal will return to SJC on Saturday, 02 September.

02 September 2023 UPDATE

The team returns to SJC this afternoon aboard N57855 (c/n 32814, l/n 1038, f/n 0855) as UAL2519 following their 37-22 win over Hawai‘i.

United Marks 75 Years Of Hawai‘i Service

Today, United Airlines marked its 75th anniversary of service to Hawai‘i. UAL1175 [SFO-HNL] was chosen to be the celebratory flight, flown by N2250U (c/n 66590, l/n 1639, f/n 2150). Passengers at SFO were treated to Hawaiian music, and celebratory swag aboard the flight. Upon arrival at HNL, a blue lei was placed over the forward area of the 777-324ER.

Photos from @HNL_RSE's Instagram.

United Airlines Announces New Hawai‘i Routes

This morning, United Airlines announced new services from the mainland to the Hawaiian Islands that will begin later this year. 

For HNL, United will launch daily 737-724 service from SNA on May 6th. This will be the airline's eighth mainland gateway. The last service between SNA and HNL was with Aloha Airlines, that operated from 2000 to March 2008, when the airline shutdown.

For OGG, United will launch four-times-weekly 767-300ER service from EWR on June 3rd. EWR will be United's fifth gateway to serve Kahului.

For KOA, United will launch four-times-weekly 787-8 service from ORD, also beginning on June 3rd. ORD is fourth gateway to serve Kona.

Further information is in this United Airlines press release.

United Airlines' Star Wars Logo Jet

United Airlines' Star Wars-themed 737-824, N36272 (c/n 31590, l/n 987, f/n 0272), is making an appearance at HNL today. The "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" special liveried 737 arrived from LAX as UAL1224 this afternoon; and will return to LAX a couple of hours later as UAL1636.

United Airlines' N590HA

United Airlines's N590HA (c/n 33467, l/n 894) is making a stop at HNL from GYR (via LAX) as UAL2714, as it ferries to HKG as UAL2715. This 767-3CBER was formerly with Hawaiian Airlines, and named "Koa‘e‘ula". After its maintenance work in HKG, it will be re-registered as N685UA (f/n 6685).

United Airlines' N37267

United Airlines' first new-liveried aircraft, N37267 (c/n 31586, l/n 939, f/n 0267), a 737-824, is making its first appearance at HNL this afternoon. It's making a flight from LAX as UAL1224, and will return to LAX later in the afternoon as UAL1636.

United Airlines Unveils Modified Livery

United Airlines unveiled its "Next Fleet Paint Design" today at their O'hare International Airport hangar. The airline has kept most of the present Dreamliner / MAX livery. The gold wave, and the gold accents on the globe tail logo have been replaced with shades of blue.

N37267 (c/n 31586, l/n 939, f/n 0267), a 737-824, is the first of the United fleet to wear this new livery.

Images from United Airlines.

Further details in this United Airlines press release.

United Airlines' N592HA

United Airlines's N592HA (c/n 33468, l/n 898) is making a stop at HNL from GYR as UAL2714, as it ferries to HKG as UAL2715. This 767-3CBER was formerly with Hawaiian Airlines, and named "Hunakai". After its maintenance work in HKG, it will be re-registered as N686UA (f/n 6686).

United Airlines' N588HA

United Airlines is ferrying N588HA (c/n 33466, l/n 890) from GYR to HKG, via SFO and HNL as UAL2714 (GYR-SFO-HNL), and UAL2715 (HNL-HKG). This 767-3CBER, was acquired from Hawaiian Airlines this past July. It's going to HKG for re-paint, and United's cabin configuration, then will be registered as N684UA.

N588HA was delivered to Hawaiian Airlines in October 2002, and named "‘Iwa". It flew until this past June, when it was ferried to MCI [Kansas City, MO].