New Colors for N720CH

N720CH (a 737-7AK(W) BBJ c/n 29866), a frequent visitor to HNL over the past few months, has received a new color scheme (top photo). I saw the new colors on its last trip here in April, but was unable to get a shot of it then.

It was previously with PrivatAir of Switzerland (HB-IIP). When it was purchased by its US owner N720CH, Inc., it took the jet with the grey stripe that remained from the PrivatAir days. It seen here in a shot taken in 2005 (lower photo).

Aloha Airlines' N828AL

N828AL "Hoapili", one of Aloha Airlines' newest 737-236s, has entered service. It is seen here clearing Runway 4R onto Taxiway K as AAH073 from OGG.

N440AN

This all-white 757-2Q8, N440AN (c/n 25044) also stopped off @ HNL while on its way back to the mainland. The flight was routed from TPE through SPN, the HNL to Great Falls, MT (GTF). This aircraft is registered to MSA V (c/o AWAS). It's seen here preparing for the flight to GTF.

This 752 was most recently with Far Eastern Air Transport (FAT), as B-27001, and based in Taipei, Taiwan. Before that, it flew with LADECO, as CC-CYG, based in Santiago, Chile.

ex-Delta Airlines N807DE

This ex-Delta Airlines MD-11, N807DE (c/n 48478), passed through HNL today. It arrived yesterday as FDX9048, and continued onto GUM today. It was purchased by FedEx, and is on its way to Asia for freighter conversion. This was one of few DL MD-11s to retain the "Widget" livery. Surprisingly, they did not paint over the #3 engine cowling.

Aloha Airlines 737-236s

Aloha Airlines has three more 737-236s scheduled for delivery as part of their replenishment of 737-200 series continues.

Aloha | 737-236 | N150FV | 23168 | LF Pegasus 4/06 | ex LV-ZRE and G-BKYJ
Aloha | 737-236 | N151FV | 23169 | LF Pegasus 5/06 | ex LV-ZTG and G-BKYK
Aloha | 737-236 | N152FV | 23171 | LF Pegasus 5/06 | ex LV-ZSD and G-BKYM

All of three of these 732s served with Aerolineas Argentina and British Airways.

N150FV is to be re-registered N828AL.


N805AL was sold to MidAmerican Aerospace on 30 April 06.

China Eastern Airlines' B-5209

China Eastern's newest 737-700, B-5209 (c/n 33042), arrived from BFI, at HNL today around 1100L.

go!'s N693BR

go!'s 2nd CRJ200, N693BR (c/n 7761), arrived today and is parked on the Elliott Street Ramp.

NA 767-300

A North American 767-300 came in today. I don't think it had any pax on board, since it didn't parked at any gate when it landed. Here it is parked on the North Ramp:



This a/c was then followed by a United 747-400 several minutes later, which then taxied over to Hickam.

Update on N765NA, it was a former KLM 767, PH-BZE.

go!'s 1st CRJ200

go!'s first CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19, N654BR, c/n 7454) arrived @ HNL today around 1300L. The flight was listed as ASH001 from SFO. Thus the battle begins in a few weeks. Ground crews were busy removing the ferry tanks this afternoon. As you can tell most of the seats are missing.

This jet previously served with the now-defunct Independence Air (FlyI), and Atlantic Coast Airlines (FlyI's predecessor) in United Express colors. The BR in the registration stands for "Blue Ridge", ACA's callsign.

Two to three more CRJ200s are expected to arrive before the June 9th launch date.

Another AA 757 with winglets

AA has flown another 757 with newly installed winglets to HNL, N689AA. Here it is parked at Gate 18:

Shanghai Airlines' B-5142

Shanghai Airlines' newest 737-8Q8 (B-5142, c/n 30070) arrived @ HNL today from BFI, on its delivery flight to China. It will overnight, and leave the next morning. B-5142 was leased from ILFC.

Chika's Aviation World

I had the opportunity to take a fellow spotter, Chika (visiting from Osaka, Japan) around the spotting locations of HNL. Here's a link to her aviation photo website: Chika's Aviation World; it already includes her HNL pix. Chika takes some great aircraft photos, but much of the text is in Japanese.

Two Air China 737NG Deliveries

Air China's 737-700, B-5227 (c/n 34541), arrived around 1200HST. This flight is listed as CCA060.

Air China's 737-800, B-5169 (c/n 34703), arrived yesterday from BFI, and departs today @ 0900HST for MAJ as CCA058.

NASA WB-57E

A NASA WB-57E arrived from Moffett Field, CA today. The flight info is on Flight Aware. It's probably parked @ HIK.

China Southern's B-5149

China Southern's newest 737-8Q8, B-5149, arrived today as well from BFI, on its delivery flight. B-5149 is leased from ILFC.

Blues On The Bay 06(?)

In the current issue of "Air & Space" (by the Smithsonian Institute), on the 2006 airshow schedule, the "Blues On The Bay" airshow is returning this year to MCAF Kaneohe Bay. The dates listed are 07 & 08 October 2006.

Photo taken from the 2004 "Blues On The Bay" airshow.

Delivery Flight Map

There is a thread on the Airliners.net Civil Aviation Forum regarding Boeing delivery flight routings from BFI ...
Flight Delivery Routes

Here is a map with flight routings:

Flights bound for East Asia route from Boeing Field (BFI) to HNL where they overnight. The next stop is Majuro in the Marshall Islands (MAJ); then onto Saipan in the Federated States of Micronesia (SPN); and on to their new home.

Flights bound for Indonesia typically go through Guam (GUM) after leaving MAJ.

Flights bound for Australia or New Zealand route through Nadi, Fiji (NAN) after leaving HNL.


The map is from Wikipedia.org, routings added via Photoshop.

Aloha's N1PC

One of Aloha Airlines' "new" 737-200s, N1PC (737-2P6, c/n 21613), is seen here on the Elliott Street ramp. This -200 previously flew with Frontier Airlines (F9) and AirTran (FL) under the same registration.

N1PC will be re-registered as N835AL pending approval by the FAA

Air New Zealand's 747-4F6

An Air New Zealand 747-4F6 (ZK-SUJ, c/n 27602) stopped off @ HNL as ANZ006, which normally routes as a non-stop AKL - LAX flight. It seen here departing for LAX from Rwy 8R. This 744 is leased from ILFC, and was last with Philippine Airlines.

ex-Delta Airlines N379DL

An ex-Delta Airlines 737-247/Adv (N379DL, c/n 23606) rests on the south ramp after arriving from Victorville (VCV), CA via Santa Maria, CA (KSMX). It's bound for somewhere in Asia. Though this 732 carries the Western Airlines (WA) Boeing customer code (_47), it was delivered to DL after the DL/WA merger had taken place.

Next AQ 732 to retire and MyTravel A330

A picture of the MyTravel A330 parked on the north ramp:



The next AQ 732 to leave the fleet, N827AL, is currently in the hanger with its tail painted over.

MyTravel A330

A MyTravel Airways A330-343X (OY-VKH, c/n 356) is on the north ramp after arriving from SFO. It's on an around-the-world charter as VKG1956. Check out the great shot above by ha763.

China Xinhua's B-5153

A China Xinhua Airlines (Hainan Air Group) 737-84P, B-5153 (c/n 34029, l/n 1921), was in town as well, down on the south side.

Naked 737-700!

This unpainted Boeing 737-7ES (c/n 33477, l/n 1885) stopped off @ HNL as BOE203. Apparently, an ETOPS test flight, and scheduled to head down to Australia. Word is, this 73G will become another "Wedgetail" AWACS platform for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Two ex-US 737-3B7s

Two ex-US Airways 737-3B7s, N384US (c/n 22957) [above] and N396US (c/n 23318), arrived @ HNL on Sunday around 1430L. They are headed for somewhere in Asia. Sorry, I was unable to get a photo of N396US, which departed HNL for MAJ @ 0930L. N384US's departure was delayed until 1315L.

United 747-400s

United Airlines substituted 747-422s in place of the 777-222 for the SFO-HNL-SFO run (UAL073/074) for a few days. N181UA is seen here departing Rwy 8R on the 21st.

Privately Owned 767-300

This 767-3P6ER (N804MS, c/n 27255) is owned by Interface Operations LLC rests on HNL's south ramp. This current flight flew in from AFW via LAS and OGG. This photo of N804MS was taken back in late Nov 05.

Continental 757s

Continental Air Lines has been using 757s, both -200 and -300 series on the LAX - HNL - LAX (COA003/012) run this weekend, instead of their usual 767-424ERs. A 752 was used on Friday's and Saturday's flights. A 753 (N75858, c/n 32817), seen here being towed to the north hardstands, was used on today's flight. Sunday's flight is listed as a 752.

An MD-90 Daily Double

An MD-90-30 from EVA Air (B-17916, c/n 53539) [left] and another MD-90-30 from UNI Air (B-17915, c/n 53538) [right] sit on the south ramp preparing to depart for LAX, as these two birds are being returned to their lessors. The flights began from TPE, then routed through GUM, MAJ, HNL, and LAX.

EMB-135 "Legacy"

Want to see an Embraer ERJ series in Hawai‘i? This is one way ... the EMB-135BJ "Legacy". Of the bizjets that pass through HNL, this is one of the rare ones. This HNL RareBird, N702CM of SCSM Aviation, arrived from OGG, and continued on to its home base @ LAS. Cool color scheme, huh.

Aloha Airlines' new 737-200s

Aloha Airlines is bringing back the "Funbird" color scheme of the 1970s on one of the 'new' 737-200s that are replacing the high-time -200s in the current fleet.

Two of the "new" 737-200s:
Aloha | 737-2P6 | N1PC | 21613/LN 530 | new aircraft 3/06
Aloha | 737-210C | N834AL | 20917/LN 344 | BF Estafeta Carga 3/06 ex XA-ABX

Mandarin A340

Recently China Air has been using A340s from their subsidary, Mandarin Airlines, to fly their non-stop TPE-HNL flights, CI001/002. Here's a picture from a rare clear, sunny, non-raining morning (before the rains started about 30 min. later) on March 30.

Air China's B-5208

Air China's B-5208 (a 737-79P, c/n 33041), arrived today from BFI under dreary rain. Did not have a chance to get a shot of it. Bet the pilots thought they never left Seattle. :D

Airport renovations and expansions

The State of Hawaii has finally announced the renovations and expansions for all Hawaii airports. More information on the links below:
Fact Sheet
Presentation Slide Show

** Image from pdf **

Go! A first look

Mesa's "Hawaii" look. Go anticipates a June start up.

** Image from Go's website **

Island Air's N847EX

Island Air's newest Dash8-103, N847EX, lands on Rwy 26R from Buchanan Field, CA, on its delivery flight. This Dash8 wears the "Island Rhythm" tail design.

Shanghai Airlines' B-5148

Shanghai Airlines' 737-86N(W), B-5148 (c/n 34254), overnighted here amidst the rain, and last night's thunderstorm, on its delivery flight. This 738 is on lease from GECAS. It's seen here being pushed back onto Taxiway C, for departure to MAJ.

Okay Airways B-2865

Okay Airways (China) has their new 737-83N(W) on its way home from the Boeing factory. It stopped here for an overnighter, before continuing across the Pacific. It's seen here on the south ramp, minutes before it would get drenched by rain. This aircraft was ferried from MIA, under its former registration, N332TZ, when it was with ATA.

Island Air's New Era

Island Air unveiled it's new look today at a press conference and media flight that I got to attend, and ride the new bird. It included a Hawaiian blessing of their new Dash8-Q400 (N539DS) [top], a Dash8-103 (N979HA) [center] in new colors, and a CL-601 (N45PH) [above] for jet charters. About 40 guests were treated to a flight from HNL to OGG (low pass only) then back to HNL.

On a personal note, the ride on the Q400 is awesome! We made it to OGG in 22 minutes! And @ FL130? It offers a better view of Maui County in either direction.

A big Mahalo to the folks at Island Air and Communications Pacific for allowing me to attend this special event, and be on the media preview flight.

FedEx's N813DE

A Federal Express MD-11, N813DE (c/n 48600), arrived from LAX today with a little too much excitement. FDX9048 was on final for Rwy 8L when the pilot needed to go around due to an unsafe landing gear warning. It was instructed to cycle around for another approach. On the 2nd try, the ex-DL colors jet blew a tire on landing. Emergency crews were waiting the jet's arrival, and encircled it as it stopped on taxiway D. After inspections by HNL personnel, the MD-11 was towed to the FedEx ramp.

China Southern's B-5222

China Southern Airlines newest 737-700 (737-71B, c/n 29367), B-5222, arrived this afternoon from BFI on its way west to China. It's seen here taxiing to its spot on the south ramp.

Hawaiian Air's Next 4 767-300s

Hawaiian Airlines has reserved the following registrations for the four 767-300s they are acquiring, and being delivered this summer. Not sure if these reserved registrations will be applied to the 4 additions.

N594HA
N596HA
N597HA
N598HA

These are the 4 ex-DL 763s that HA is receiving (all were purchased from Wilmington Trust Co.):
Hawaiian | 767-332 | N116DL | 23275/LN 136 | On Order
Hawaiian | 767-332 | N117DL | 23276/LN 151 | On Order
Hawaiian | 767-332 | N118DL | 23277/LN 152 | On Order
Hawaiian | 767-332 | N119DL | 23278/LN 153 | On Order

New Island Air Aircraft

Island Air has one of their latest Dash-8s parked out on the South Ramp. It is the one with the female on the tail. I was driving on the North Ramp, so I couldn't see a registration or tell if it was a Q400. But it sure sticks out from the rest of planes parked there.

Air China's B-5167

Air China's 737-808 (B-5167, c/n 34701) arrived @ HNL this afternoon from BFI on it's delivery flight. B-5167 will overnight here before continuing on to MAJ for its next segment.

B-5167 and B-5168 (another 737-808) were both leased from Icelandair.

Ex-US Airways N374US

N374US, an ex-US Airways 737-3B7 (c/n 22953) passed through HNL on its way to somewhere in Asia. The flight originated in Tucson, AZ (TUS) with a stop at OAK. It left for MAJ today. Was not able to get a shot of it while here.

HNL Rumors and changes

This is not a rarebird report, but a juicy rumor. I've heard that later on this month, there will be an announcement by the State of Hawaii regarding renovation and expansion at HNL. The amount being thrown around is in the billions of dollars and the first phase done in about 2-1/2 years.

There also have been a few recent ground handling changes. Aloha has been steadily losing contracts, recently losing the under wing handling for ATA to Worldwide. Although Worldwide has picked up a lot of ground handling contracts, they will also be losing their largest account in HNL, Continental. Apparently, a new company from Guam will be taking over passenger service and cargo. Harmony also has switched their ground handler. Hawaiian now does passenger service, loading, and cleaning for Harmony.

N5601C & Crew Lost

Hawaii Air Ambulance's Cessna 414, N5601C, was involved in a crash while on approach to Kahului (OGG) yesterday. The pilot, and 2 nurse/paramedics perished in the crash.

This photo was taken on 08 September 2005 as it taxied out to Taxiway C from its ramp, for a Rwy 4R departure.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and co-workers of those lost in the crash.

Today's Honolulu Advertiser article

Arizona Cardinals and AA 762

Today's special HNL visitors, HP's Arizona Cardinals 752 (N908AW) and an AA 762 (N332AA).
N908AW was at Gate 19 and N332AA was at Gate 20. Now for the pictures:

Here's N908AW closed up and ready to pushback. ETD is supposed to be 9:15am, but ended up leaving more than 30 min. late. You can also see the AA 762 tail on the right.

The clouds moved in later in the day when I took this picture of N332AA. Fortunately I was able to get a better picture when the sun came back out.

Sayonara JA103A

An All Nippon Airways Airbus A321-131 (JA103A c/n 963) made a stop @ HNL on its way to San Jose, CA (SJC, its next stop). It was parked @ HardStand 1A, and was getting ready to leave when I got shots of it. It did the island hopping route: FlyteComm tracked it from Guam (GUM), Majuro (MAJ), Honolulu (HNL), then onto San Jose (SJC), and Winnipeg (YWG).

Air Canada's Silver Bullet

AC's bare metal liveried 767-233ER, C-GDSP (c/n 24142), is being used on ACA043/044 (to/from YVR). It's seen here departing Rwy 8R yesterday.

AC has decided to keep their 762s with the "toothpaste" blue-green color. The bare metal scheme six-week experiment was not well-received.

Murray Aviation DC-8-71F

Keeping on the theme of "the old days" ... this DC-8-71F belonging to Murray Aviation (Willow Run, MI) is doing cargo runs on behalf Asia Pacific Air and Pacific Air Cargo. N872SJ (c/n 46040), was converted to a -71 when it still was with United (N8096U). Had a chance to walk around this classic, they don't make 'em like these anymore.

This bird has had a colorful history beginning with UA, then moving onto life as a cargo hauler for Tampa Colombia, Mas Air, Florida West, and Southern Air, before finding its way to Murray Air

Would sure like to take one last ride on one of these or a 707.

HNL Airport Diagram

Here is the Pacific Chart Supplement for HNL. In case you can't find 21 19'N 157 55' W, or figure out just where Kilo taxiway is. Just click to enlarge the chart.

** Image from AirNav **

Welcome to HNL!

HNL over the years has grown from a small field known as John Rodgers Field to the international airport that it is today. It has seen the likes of United, Hawaiian, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Aloha, BOAC, CP Air, American and a few carriers that remain only in our memories such as Pan American, Braniff, and TWA. We have a very unique an storied aviation history at HNL and indeed in all of Hawaii itself.

As United Airlines once called Hawaii..."Our little corner of the Pacific".

E Komo Mai
Enjoy!

AQ Retires N805AL

Aloha Airlines has recently retired N805AL, a 737-2M6C/A (c/n 21809). As of 02.25.06, it was sitting on the Elliott Street ramp without titles nor tail logo. 805 was relegated to cargo runs for the past year before being retired. It will be retired to a desert boneyard.

Skymark's JA737K

A Skymark Airlines (Japan) 737-86N, JA737K (c/n 34249) arrived under rain clouds from LAS on its delivery flight. This 738 landed on Rwy 26L, and had to taxi the lo-o-ong way, down T/W RB, B, D, and C to get to the south ramp. I was surprised it did not taxi down RA to RT, then C.

Shanghai's B-2809

A Shanghai Airlines 757-25D, B-2809 (c/n 24472) was being ferried to BFI for freighter conversion. It's seen here making the last leg of the trip, taxiing out to Rwy 8R.

The B-2809 photo was taken taken @ 09:00 and the JA737K photo @ 14:30. Pretty amazing how the weather can change in a few hours.