Hawaiian Airlines' N223HA

Hawaiian Airlines has taken delivery of N223HA "Hau" (msn 9060, f/n 223) today. This A321-271N is making its delivery flight from XFW to PAE (via BOS) as HAL9975.

Southwest To Move Up New Service

Southwest Airlines announced this morning that they will move up the launch dates for service between HNL and LIH, and HNL and SMF, from January 2020 to November 2019. New routes were also announced for OAK-LIH, OAK-KOA, SJC-LIH, SJC-KOA, and SMF-OGG, are scheduled to begin in March 2020.

Further information is in this Southwest Airlines press release.

Happy Birthday US Air Force!

Happy 72nd Birthday to the United States Air Force!

Cebu Pacific Air's RP-C3271

Cebu Pacific Air is ferrying RP-C3271 (msn 5381) from MNL to LCQ (via GUM, HNL and ONT), as it has been acquired by Allegiant Air, and be registered as N281NV (f/n 281).

RP-C3271 was delivered to Cebu Pacific in November 2012, and it's last revenue flight with the airline was on September 5th.

Armée de l'Air's F-RADB

F-RADB (msn 422), a Armée de l'Air A310-304, made a stop at HNL on a flight from PPT, and was parked on Taxiway RH.

Big Island Air's N5KR

Big Island Air's Cessna P-337 Skymaster, N5KR (msn P3370335) on the commuter terminal ramp at Kona (PHKO/KOA) on Thursday 09/12/19.

Air Force Academy Falcons C-17 Alternate Uniforms

The Air Force Academy Falcons football team released images of their alternate uniforms, which honors the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, as part of their Air Power Legacy Series. The uniform is light grey, with "formation lights" markings and black numbers.  The nameplate on the back of the jersey will reflect the tail flashes of nine C-17A units, including the 204th AS / 535th AS that is based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. The helmet for the game is painted in the same grey as the aircraft, complete with squadron designation, "formation lights", and the refueling receptacle markings on the top of the helmet.

Further information and images in this Air Force Academy Football article.

Oregon State Beavers Team Charter

The Oregon State University Beavers football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243 (HAL705) from PDX, for their road trip to play the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.


09.07.19 Update
The return flight, HAL706, will be flown by N361HA.

American Airlines Flies Final MD-80 Revenue Flight

American Airlines' N984TW (c/n 53634, l/n 2287), an MD-83, made the last MD-80 revenue flight for the airline,  as AAL80 (DFW-ORD). American is retiring the last of the MD-80s in its fleet.

I've only captured two American Airlines MD-83s during trips to the mainland. Pictured on the top is N976TW (c/n 53626, l/n 2279), taken in November 2010 at LAX; and N9413T (c/n 53188, l/n 2119), taken in March 2013 at EWR.

Shanghai Airlines' B-2876

Our September edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to April 2005, with Shanghai Airlines' 757-26D, B-2876 (c/n 33967, l/n 1050) departing Runway 8L, on its next delivery flight leg to GUM.

B-2876 was withdrawn from service, and stored at VCV in November 2014. Two months later, it was acquired by Boeing Capital as N338BC. Delta Air Lines bought this 757 in April 2015, and re-registered it as N823DX, five months later. It had Blended Winglets installed in early 2016, and entered service in March of that year.

Hawaiian Airlines' N226HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N226HA "Loulu" (msn 9127, f/n 226) today. This A321-271N is making its delivery flight from BFM to PAE as HAL9981.

Qantas Ends 747-400 Service To HNL

Qantas Airways' VH-OEI (c/n 32913, l/n 1330) made the final 747-438 service between SYD and HNL today, as the Australian flag carrier winds down its 747-438 operations. A330-300s will be the replacement type for QFA3/4.

Atlas Air Upgrades To 747-8Fs

For their Qantas Freight wet-lease, Atlas Air is upgrading from its 747-400Fs to 747-8Fs, beginning today. The flights will continue to use HNL as a fuel stop as it flies from the US mainland to Australia.

Arizona Wildcats Team Charter

The University of Arizona Wildcats football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243 for its Saturday road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N386HA is making the flight as HAL703.


08.24.19 Update
The team will return to TUS as HAL704 aboard N396HA.

Mokulele Airlines' N879MA Skids Off JHM Runway

Mokulele Airlines' N879MA (msn 208B5019), skidded off of Kapalua's Runway 2 this morning. The Cessna C208B Grand Caravan EX, flying from HNL to JHM, as MHO504, made the runway excursion. None of the eight passengers and two pilots were injured.

Russian Air Force's RF-85655

Another year, another visit by the Russians. Under the Open Skies treaty, Russia sent it's TU-154M outfitted with observation equipment over military installations in the United States. RF-85655 (c/n 89A798) was observed on tracking sights flying locally over Hickam, Kāne‘ohe Bay, and installations on the west side of the island.

Hawaiian Airlines To Launch OGG-LAS Service

Beginning December 15th, Hawaiian Airlines will start service between Kahului, Maui and Las Vegas, with four-times weekly A321-271N service.

Also, Hawaiian will start a thrice-weekly A321-271N service between HNL and SEA on January 7, 2020; and seasonal OGG-LAX A321-271N (December 14, 2019-January 5, 2020).

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N807HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is taking delivery of N807HC (msn 432) this afternoon. It's their third ATR72-212F for their inter-island cargo operation.

432 was originally delivered to BBAM, and leased to Avianova [RD/NOV] (Italy) in March 1995 as EI-CLD "Fiume Piave". In November 1996, it was transferred to Alitalia, and a year later transferred to Alitalia Express. In December 2005, it was acquired by Alitalia Express, and registered as I-ATRR. In March 2010, it was acquired by Magellan Aircraft Services. A year later, it was sold to First Air [7F/FAB] (Canada)as C-GRMZ. It was converted to a freighter in April 2012. In June 2015, it was acquired by ‘Ohana by Hawaiian, and operated by Empire Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines' Oakland Raiders Logo Jets

Hawaiian Airlines has applied the Oakland Raiders logo to the fuselages on N380HA and N382HA for the 2019 National Football League season, as the airline will provide team charters for team's road games.

Hawaiian Airlines Awarded Another Haneda Flight

The US Department of Transportation awarded Hawaiian Airlines an additional service between HND and HNL today. This new slot will allow Hawaiian to begin A330-200 service in the summer of 2020.