Atlas Air's N322SG

A familiar carrier with a not so familiar 747 dropped in early this morning from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH/IAH) as GTI2994 for a quick tech stop before continuing on to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (RPLL/MNL) as GTI2995. Atlas Air's N322SG a 747-481(c/n 30322, l/n 1250) is painted in the Golden Atlas livery, and sports a VIP passenger configuration.

This charter flight was transporting the Houston Rockets basketball team to MNL for an exhibition game.

30322 was originally delivered to All Nippon Airways as JA405A in June 2000. It was then acquired by Oasis Hong Kong Airlines as B-LFD in November 2007. It made its way to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest as N322SG in September 2008 until it was acquired by Atlas Air in May 2010.

Skymark's JA73NY

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NY (c/n 41623, l/n 4633) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SKY73NY, and will overnight at HNL. It has been discovered that JA73NY is the last 737-800 to be leased by Skymark. The airline will be transitioning to an A330 and A380 fleet in the next few years, as they seek to expand internationally.

Mahalo to blog fan Hiroshi for the above photo.

Qantas' VH-XZI

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of VH-XZI "Kalbarri" (c/n 39364, l/n 4630) today. The 737-838 is making its delivery flight from BFI to MEL (via HNL and NAN) as QFA6024.

In a unusual moment, XZI is shown taxing into Gate 33, where it will remain overnight. These delivery flights normally utilize one of the hardstands at HNL.

San Jose State Charters Allegiant 757

The San José State University Spartans chartered an Allegiant Air 757-204 for their Saturday road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.  They arrived today on AAY4451.

Murray Air's N865F

Our October edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Murray Air's DC-8-63AF, N865F (c/n 46088, l/n 464), that was photographed on HNL's South Ramp in December 2004. For a few months in late 2004, N865F performed cargo runs around the South Pacific and Micronesia.

N865F was originally delivered to Overseas National Airways (ONA), as a DC-8-63CF in May 1969, and named "Superb". It remained in the ONA fleet until the airline's closure in October 1978, and into the second version of ONA, which later became National Airlines. During its time with ONA, N865F was leased to Austrian Airtransport as OE-IBO, Seaboard World Airlines (and sub-leased to Cargolux International), Air-India Cargo, Nigeria Airways, Saudia, and Flying Tiger Line. In July 1984, it went to Emery Worldwide Airlines, where it was converted to a DC-8-63AF. In September 2000, it went to Murray Air, and continued on as Murray Air became National Airlines. In 2012, N865F was donated to the Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, MI, where it sits on display.

N865F was most recently here two years ago this month.

September 2013 Deliveries

Here were the 19 737NG delivery flights that stopped through Hawai‘i in September 2013:
4598 | B-5770 | 38954 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [09.05.13 CSN571]
4599 | B-5796 | 41306 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P* [09.10.13 CES299]
4596 | B-5798 | 39203 | Hainan Airlines | -84P [09.10.13 B5798]
4597 | B-5808 | 39305 | Shanghai Airlines | -79P [09.10.13 CSH508]
4595 | B-5793 | 40021 | Air China | -89L [09.10.13 CCA78]
4592 | 9M-LNL | 38736 | Malindo Air | -9GPER [09.13.13 MLO1]
4607 | B-5848 | 41307 | Air China | -89L [09.14.13 CCA78]
4604 | B-5776 | 39157 | Shenzhen Airlines | -87L [09.13.13 CSZ969]
4608 | B-5831 | 38059 | Shanghai Airlines | -86D [09.17.13 CSH531]
4606 | JA73NX | 38045 | Skymark Airlines | -86N [09.19.13 SKY73NX]
4612 | B-5775 | 39136 | Shenzhen Airlines | -87L [09.19.13 CSZ901]
4616 | 9M-MSH | 40150 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [09.19.13 MAS5403]
4611 | JA808X | 39433 | Solaseed Airlines | -81D [09.20.13 SNJ808X]
4600 | 9M-LNK | 38737 | Malindo Air | -9GPER [09.21.13 MLO1]
4618 | 9M-MLS | 39333 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [09.23.13 MAS5473]
4619 | PK-GFY | 38043 | Garuda Indonesia | -86N [09.23.13 GIA8011]
4617 | B-5769 | 38953 | China Southern Airlines | -81B [09.25.13 CSN5769]
4622 | B-5846 | 41791 | Xiamen Air | -85C [09.26.13 CXA5846]
4615 | B-5780 | 39728 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P [09.27.13 CES599]

-700: 1
-800: 16
-900ER: 2

China: 12
Malaysia: 4
Japan: 2
Indonesia: 1

"Loha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi"

In tonight's season four premier episode of Hawaii Five-0, "Loha Ke Kahi I Ke Kahi", Makani Kai Helicopters' N6077H makes an appearance as a TV news helicopter for the fictional TV station KHMJ. N6077H is seen above on the 50-yard line of Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium, where a part of the episode was filmed. The production company spent the entire day filming a few scenes inside the stadium, and out in the Hālawa parking lots.

Also making an appearance in the episode, is Kalitta Air's 747-221F, N748CK (c/n 21744, l/n 392), that scene was filmed on HNL's South Ramp.

China Easternʻs B-5780

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5780 (c/n 39728, l/n 4615) this morning. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES599, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were not able to get a photo of B-5780 at HNL.

Fresno State Team Charter

The Fresno State University Bulldogs football team chartered an Alaska Airlines 737-890 [ASA7600] for Saturday's game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors.  The team arrived at HNL shortly after noon aboard N557AS.

The team returned to FAT late Saturday evening following their 42-37 victory over Hawai‘i, as ASA7601.

Xiamen's B-5846

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-5846 (c/n 41791, l/n 4622) this morning. The 737-85C is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA5846, and will overnight at HNL.

N560AS Alaska's "Spirit Of The Islands"

We got to ride N560AS (c/n 35179, l/n 2072) today from PDX to OGG as AS809. Here are some pictures. The first is at PDX Gate C7 ...

There is a plaque with information about the livery and artist as you board. There was no other mention during the flight.

If you are interested, we will eventually be posting a few more pictures from this flight on our own blog, Airplane Life.

China Southern's B-5769

This morning, China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-81B this month. B-5769 (c/n 38953, l/n 4617) is making his delivery flight from BFI as CSN5769, and will overnight at HNL.

Near Miss Over ‘Ewa?

Can someone "in the know" look into whether there may have been a near-miss today (9/24) at about 5:20-5:25 pm? There was a KC-135 that appeared to be on final for Runway 8L flying over Ocean Pointe in Ewa Beach. Suddenly, I heard the engines spool up and then the KC powered into a banking right turn towards the ocean, flying right over Fort Weaver Road. That alone caught my attention with its unusualness ... high power and sudden turn in a different direction. A few seconds later, I saw a four-engine (wide body?) on final with gear down and flaps deployed. There couldn't have been more than 1000ft vertical, and maybe one mile horizontal separation between the two, and I can only wonder what the wake turbulence could have been for the second aircraft. The KC was way east of where the C-17s, P-3s, and C-130s sometimes orbit the Kalaeloa pattern, and practice whatever they do. Any info would be greatly appreciated. 

Malaysia's 9M-MLS

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-8H6 within the past four days. 9M-MLS (c/n 39333, l/n 4618) is making its delivery flight from BFI today as MAS5473, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of 9M-MLS at HNL.

Garuda's PK-GFY

Garuda Indonesia is taking delivery of PK-GFY (c/n 38043, l/n 4619) this morning. The GECAS-leased 737-86N is making its delivery flight as GIA8011. Like its Indonesian competitor, Lion Air, PK-GFY made a brief fuel stop before departing for TTK [Kosrae Airport, Kosrae Island, Federated States of Micronesia]. 

Sorry, we were not able to get a photo of PK-GFY at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

Malindo's 9M-LNK

Malindo Air is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER within the past eight days. 9M-LNK (c/n 38737, l/n 4600) is making its delivery flight from BFI, and a brief fuel stop at HNL, as MLO1.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of 9M-LNK at HNL.

Mokulele Launches MUE Service

Mokulele Airlines launched service between MUE and OGG today. N859MA made the inaugural flight from MUE.

Further information in this Hawai‘i News Now article.

Solaseed's JA808X

Solaseed Air is taking delivery of JA808X (c/n 39433, l/n 4611) today. The 737-81D, leased from AWAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SNJ808X, and will overnight at HNL.

Malaysia's 9M-MSH

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MSH (c/n 40150, l/n 4616) today. The 737-8H6 is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5403, and will overnight at HNL.

Skymark's JA73NX

Skymark Airlines is taking delivery of JA73NX (c/n 38045, l/n 4606) today. The 737-86N, leased from GECAS, is making its delivery flight from BFI as SKY73NX, and will overnight at HNL.