Malaysia's 9M-MXB

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MXB (c/n 40129), their newest 737-8H6. Wearing the new livery, it's making its delivery flight to SZB (Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) from BFI as MAS5473. 9M-MXB made its stop at HNL today from BFI. It's seen above taxiing out to the Reef Runway to depart for MAJ.

Lit up by the ramp lights in the Castle & Cooke alleyway, Malaysia Airlines 9M-MXB awaits her departure later in the morning. Above photo by team member Lono68

Travolta's 707-138B

What a way to end the week! Three private "Heavies" where seen this weekend. John Travolta's N707JT (c/n 18740/388) joined the "Google Jet" and the 747SP this morning at the North hardstands.

Las Vegas Sands Corporation 747SP

What a rare find this morning! Las Vegas Sands' VQ-BMS (c/n 21649), a 747SP-SP21 was parked at the North hardstands.

Originally delivered to Pan Am in 1979 as N540PA, this aircraft has since been in possession of five other outfits. Pan Am sold it to United Airlines back in 1986 and had its registration changed to N149UA. United then leased it to Tajik Air in 1993. It was then repossessed in 1994 and bought by the Brunei government. During that time the registration was changed three times (V8-JBB,V8-JP1,V8-AC1). In 1998, it was sold to Bahrain. The reg changed twice (A9C-HHH, A9C-HMH). In 2008, it was bought by the Las Vegas Sands.

Google Jet, N673BF

Google's N673BF (c/n 23402) a 767-238 arrived yesterday afternoon and is seen here on Alpha. It parked at the North hardstand.

Air Canada's C-GHPH

Air Canada's C-GHPG (c/n 26207, l/n 503) a 767-3Y0ER is seen here on the North ramp undergoing repairs to one of its engines. It was suppose to go out on Wednesday night as AC48. It left Thursday night instead.

Veteran's Day

HNL RareBirds extends a big mahalo to the Veterans of the USA, as we celebrate Veteran's Day today. We thank you for your service to our country, and protecting our freedom!

Hawaiian's N382HA

Today, Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of its third Airbus A330-243, N382HA (msn 1171). The aircraft is named "‘Iwakeli‘i", the Hawaiian name for the constellation Cassiopeia. It's making the delivery flight from TLS to HNL, non-stop, as N382HA.

By the way, today is Hawaiian's 81st birthday ... Hau‘oli Lā Hānau!

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

Polet Airlines An-124

This An-124-100 of Polet Airlines arrived in the early hours of the 25th of October. RA-82075 (c/n 9773053459147) landed and taxied to Hickam. It was most likely here as a military charter to haul USMC CH-53s, or other cargo.

ANA, Endless Discovery

Along with Japan Airlines, ANA is also campaigning Japan National Tourism Organization's "Japan. Endless Discovery". Seen above, is JA610A (c/n 32979/895), a 767-381ER wearing the same logo, although not as incorporated as JAL's 767s. It is unusual to see two competing airlines promoting the same thing. More info about the JNTO can be found in this link.

Koloa Aviation's N820MS

In this past Monday's episode of Hawai‘i Five-0, "Ho‘apono", Koloa Aviation's Gulfstream G-IV, N820MS (msn 1147), made an appearance as a getaway jet, and filmed at HNL.

The above photo, taken in 2005, shows N820MS taxiing out from the current Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp (formerly the Circle Rainbow Air ramp), where the G-IV is based.

Link to watch the Hawai‘i Five-0 CBS episode "Ho‘apono".

Hawaiian Adds Holiday Season Flights

Hawaiian Air announced today that they are adding three trans-Pacific flights during the holiday season: OGG-OAK, HNL-LAX and HNL-PPG.

HA press release link.

China United's B-5547

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5547 (c/n 36806), their newest 737-86N (leased from GECAS). The flight, CUA547, is not listed on FlightAware. B-5547 is seen above, parked in the alleyway fronting Castle & Cooke Aviation.

Here's an additional shot of China United Airlines B-5547 taxing into the ramp after it arrives, courtesy of team member Lono68.

The Restart Of Flights To Haneda

October 31st saw the return of regularly scheduled flights between HND and HNL by JAL and ANA. For JAL, this is a return as they flew HND-HNL from 1954 until 1978. For ANA, this is a new route.

JAL will be using their 767-300ERs on the route and JA612J, which has the "Japan Endless Discovery" decals, had the honor of the first flight.

For the departure, JA601J flew back the first return flight.

ANA also is using 767-300ERs for their HND flights. Their flight arrives approximately 1 hour after JAL's flight and leaves approximately 20 minutes after. (Sorry, no pictures of their flight)

Hawaiian will also be flying to HND, but will not start until November 17 and will also initially use their 767-300ERs before changing to the A330-200.

The flight numbers for these flights are:
JAL - JO80/89 (JL80/89 from December 1st)
ANA - NH1062/1061
HA - HA458/457

Skymark's JA73NC

Skymark Airlines' JA73NC (c/n 31743), a 737-8FZ, is making its delivery flight as SKY73NC from BFI today.

Rick Schlamp's BFI photo.

Malaysia's 9M-MXA

9M-MXA (c/n 40128) is the first Malaysia Airlines 737-800 to receive their new livery.  The 737-8H6 made its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5473 yesterday with its stop at HNL.

Fortunately, we were blessed to get a photo here from a friend, as well as Drewski2112 at BFI.

Garuda's PK-GFJ

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of their third 737-800 this month.  PK-GFJ (c/n 37885), a 737-86N, is making its delivery flight to Jakarta as GIA8011.

Shandong's B-5543

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-5543 (c/n 39392), a 737-86N.  It's making its flight to China as CDG5543.

Xiamen's B-5551

Xiamen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5551 (c/n 36697), a 737-84P. It's making its delivery flight as CXA5551. This 73H was originally allocated to Hainan Airlines, but taken by Xiamen.

China Eastern's B-5271

China Eastern Airlines' B-5271 (c/n 36772), is their newest 737-79P.  It's making its delivery flight from BFI to PVG (via HNL, MAJ & SPN) as CES299.

Seems like most 737NGs passing through HNL for China are -800s.  Except for Lion's -900s, the orders shown online with assigned construction numbers for Asian region are all -800s.  On the current order and assembly list, today's delivery is the only -700 destined for China.

JAL's OneWorld Logojet

Japan Airlines' logojet for their OneWorld alliance, JA604J (c/n 33493), has made an appearance at HNL. This 767-346ER is seen departing for NGO today as JAZ83.

Within a few days, all but one JAL flight will be 767-346ERs, as their 747-446s are being phased out.