United's HNL-NRT Changes

For almost thirty years, United Airlines' NRT-HNL flight had the flight number UAL880, and its return flight had UAL879. However, these flight numbers are changing today as UAL879 becomes UAL45, and UAL880 becomes UAL44. The former flight numbers comes from the acquisition of Pan American's Pacific routes in 1985.

With the flight number changes, also begins the new 787-9 service on this route. It features 48 business class seats, 88 "Premium Economy" seats, and 116 coach seats. Prior aircraft used on this route have been the 777-222ER, the 747-422, the 747-222B, and DC-10-30.

Air China's B-5201

Our July edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to October 2005, with Air China's 737-79L, B-5201 (c/n 34023, l/n 1795). It was one of three 737-79Ls to wear the above special livery to promote the 2008 Summer Olympic Games that was held in Beijing, China. This photo was taken as B-5201 made its island-hopping delivery flight from BFI to PEK.

B-5201 was repainted into the standard Air China livery in September 2008, following the conclusion of the Olympic Games.

Volga-Dnepr's RA-76950

Volga-Dnepr Airlines's RA-76950 "Vladimir Kokkinaki" (msn 2043420697) arrived at JRF today from NGO, as it is the support aircraft for the Solar Impulse 2 Zero Fuel Aircraft. The Il-76TD-90VD is making its flight as VDA4494.

N710MQ

N710MQ (c/n 34710, l/n 2144), a 737-808, is making a ferry flight from HAK to MCI (via HKG, SPN, and JRF). It was most recently with Hainan Airlines as B-5763.

34710 was originally purchased by Icelease, the leasing arm of Icelandair in January 2007, and leased to Hong Kong Express as B-KXE. In March 2013, it was leased to Hainan Airlines as B-5763. Earlier this month, Macquarie AirFinance acquired 34710.

China Eastern's B-1775

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1775 (c/n 41507, l/n 5466) this morning. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9002, and will overnight at HNL.

Qantas' VH-OJI

Qantas Airways is ferrying VH-OJI "Longreach" (c/n 24887, l/n 826) from SYD to MHV for storage, as the Australian carrier is slowly phasing out their 747-438 fleet. It's making the ferry flight as QFA6021. VH-OJI was delivered to Qantas in December 1990.

Shandong's B-1509

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-1509 (c/n 44916, l/n 5462) this morning. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG1509, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto MAJ.

Hainan's B-1503

Hainan Airlines' B-1503 (c/n 39961, l/n 5452) is the airline's third 737-84P in as many days. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1503, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM. B-1503 is also Hainan's 10th 737-800 delivery this year, which is the first airline to get double-digit deliveries through Hawai‘i.

Shenzhen's B-1517

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1517 (c/n 37626, l/n 5461) this morning. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ517, and will overnight at HNL.

VP-CYB

VP-CYB (msn 5545), an A318-112CJ owned by Business Aviation Asia (a Hong Kong-based charter company), has made a stop at HNL. Because of tight ramp space on the south side, the "Baby Bus" has been parked on Taxiway F.

Though built in 2013, this ACJ was delivered to PVG from XFW in April 2015. When it was registered as D-AUAA, during its test phase, it had Sharklets installed, but has since had the standard wingtip fences installed.

Evergreen Medevac's Bell 412s

Evergreen Medevac's N415EV (msn 36404) [top] and N418EV (msn 36440) [above], both Bell 412EP helicopters, just wrapped up a Neighbor Island assignment with the US Army. They are now in the process of being prepped to be shipped back the mainland.

N303KH

N303KH (c/n 25606, l/n 3123), a 737-319 formerly with Air New Zealand, has stopped off at HNL while making a ferry flight from CHC to YLW [Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada].

25606 was originally delivered to Air New Zealand in September 1999 as ZK-NGG. It was withdrawn from service and stored at CHC last month, and sold to Aircraft 25606 LLC (Lake Mary, FL) as N303KH.

VH-VLT

Marcplan Charters' (Australia) VH-VLT (msn 14501107), an ERJ135BJ "Legacy 600", has made a stop at HNL.

Hainan's B-1502

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-84P in as many days, with B-1502 (c/n 43660, l/n 5436). It is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1502, and will overnight at HNL, before continuing onto GUM.

Hainan's B-1505

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1505 (c/n 39962, l/n 5460) today. The 737-84P, leased from SMBC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1505, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-1791

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1791 (c/n 41474, l/n 5453) this afternoon. The orange peacock-liveried 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-1765

Air China is taking delivery of B-1765 (c/n 41106, l/n 5456) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight as CCA74, and will overnight at HNL.

N167CR

N167CR (c/n 26278, l/n 671), a 757-2G5, is making a ferry flight from XSP to GYR, via GUM and HNL. It's owned by Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, and is due to be converted to a freighter, then leased to SF Airlines - (ShunFeng Airlines) [O3/CSS China].

26278 was originally delivered to LTU [LT/LTU] (Germany) in April 1995 as D-ABMO, under lease from ILFC. In April 2000, it was then leased to JMC Airlines [MT/JMC] (United Kingdom) as G-JMCG. When JMC Airlines became part of Thomas Cook Airlines [MT/TCX] in March 2003, G-JMCG was transferred, and painted in the Thomas Cook livery. During it's time with TCX, it was sub-leased to Air Scotland as SX-BLV (November 2003 - April 2004), and Jazz Air [QK/JZA Canada] (December 2010 - April 2011, and December 2011 - April 2012) as C-GJZD. In May 2014, it was sold to AerCap, and continued with TCX. In December 2014, it was withdrawn from service and stored at QLA [Lasham, United Kingdom]. This past April, it was moved to XSP [Seletar, Singapore], was acquired by WFBN, and registered as N167CR.

China Southern's B-1728

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1728 (c/n 41333, l/n 5451) this morning. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN728, and will overnight at HNL.

Thai Lion's HS-LTU

Thai Lion Air is taking delivery of HS-LTU (c/n 39841, l/n 5446) today. The 737-9GPER is making its delivery flight from BFI as TLM1, and will make a brief fuel stop at HNL, before continuing onto DVO.