United Announces Final 747 Flight To HNL

United Airlines announced today that they will have the final 747 flight, as the type is being retired from the airline's fleet. UAL747, SFO-HNL, will make the final flight on November 7th.

Further details in this United Airlines press release.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau US Air Force

Today marks the 70th Birthday of the United States Air Force!  The HNL RareBirds team expresses our gratitude for keeping the US skies and lands safe, and to all the airmen past and present, mahalo for your service and sacrifice!

Yangtze River Airlines' B-1313

Yangtze River Airlines [Y8/YZR] (an HNA Group subsidiary) is taking delivery of B-1313 (c/n 60169, l/n 6583) today. The 737-84P, their first this year, is making its delivery flight from BFI as B1313, and will overnight at HNL. Yangtze River Airlines recently re-branded as Suparna Airlines, but have yet to change the titles on this aircraft, and B-1315, the next scheduled for delivery.

Kunming Airlines B-1461

Kunming Airlines is taking delivery of B-1461 (c/n 44934, l/n 6578) this morning. The 737-7LY, painted in a special purple and gold livery promoting the city of Teng Chong (Yunnan Province), is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA1461, and will overnight at HNL.

Japan Airlines Returns To KOA

After a nearly seven year absence, Japan Airlines returns to Kona, Hawai‘i Island today. The airline returns with round-trip, daily 767-346ER service between KOA and NRT.

Japan Airlines previously had DC-10-40 service between NRT and KOA, that ended in 2010.

Shenzhen Airlines' B-1479

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-1479 (c/n 61128, l/n 6581) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSZ1479, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-YWA

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YWA "Cable Beach" (c/n 41042, l/n 6572) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will overnight at KOA.

Hainan Airlines' B-1496

Hainan Airlines is taking deliver of B-1496 (c/n 43426, l/n 6574) today. The 737-84P, their second delivery in 12 days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1496, and will overnight at HNL.

China Southern Airlines' B-1401

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-1401 (c/n 63234, l/n 6577) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN1, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen Air's B-1301

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1301 (c/n 42944, l/n 6573) today. The 737-85C, their second delivery in six days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8299, and will overnight at HNL.

Shanghai Airlines' B-1332

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1332 (c/n 63048, l/n 6570) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from  BFI as CSH9761, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian Airlines Partnership With The University of Hawai‘i Athletics

Hawaiian Airlines announced that will be the official airline partner of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Athletics Department. The airline, a Diamond Level UH Corporate Partner, will provide travel to all 21 UH Mānoa's athletic teams between Hawai‘i and North America.

Further information is in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Xtra Airways To Fly Between Saipan And China

CH-Aviation reports Xtra Airways [XP/CXP] will be assigning one of their 737s for a new service between Saipan (Northern Marianas Islands) and Nanjing (China), beginning on September 20th.

Currently, Xtra Airways has a fleet of six 737-400s, and three 737-800s. Whichever 737 is assigned to this route, it should be stopping through HNL in the near future.

Xiamen Air's B-1302

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-1302 (c/n 63683, l/n 6558) today. The 737-85C, their second delivery in eight days, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA8099, and will overnight at HNL.

Delta Bids Aloha ‘Oe To Their 747-400s

Delta Air Lines has switched from their 747-400s to 767-300s on DAL576/577 [NRT-HNL]. N669US (c/n 24224, l/n 803, f/n 6309) made the final flight from Narita this morning. It will continue onto LAX as DAL1284. Ground and cabin crews adorned N669US with a few lei to commemorate the airlines' final 747-400 flight at HNL.

A video of the event at HNL, was made and posted by dgcpinoy on his YouTube channel.

All of Delta's service between Honolulu and Japanese destinations (NRT, KIX, and NGO), are now all flown with 767-300ERs.

Island Air Transitions To All Q400 Fleet

Island Air transitioned to an all-Q400 NextGen fleet today. The airline also has two more Q400 NextGens on order from Bombardier.

The five ATR72-212s have been retired, and will be returned to Island Leasing Company (Walnut Creek, CA) in the near future. The final ATR72 flight was made by N944WP, as MKU86 [KOA-HNL].

9 Air's B-1473

9 Air is taking delivery of B-1473 (c/n 61361, l/n 6460) today. The 737-86X is making its delivery flight from BFI as JYH1473, and will overnight at HNL. B-1473 made its first flight on June 13th, and was parked on BFI's short-term storage ramp after its customer test flights. It's their third 737-86X of four that have been parked at BFI, to make its delivery flight in eleven days.

Hainan Airlines' B-1490

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-1490 (c/n 62572, l/n 6553) today. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CHH1490, and will overnight at HNL.

Donghai Airlines' B-1415

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1415 (c/n 61276, l/n 6400) today. The 737-8LW is making its delivery flight from BFI as EPA298, and will overnight at HNL. B-1415 was first flew in May, but was placed in short-term storage at BFI.

Donghai Airlines' B-1462

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-1462 (c/n 61277, l/n 6547) this morning. The 737-8LW is making its delivery flight from BFI as EPA297, and will overnight at HNL. B-1462 is the 100th 737 to deliver to China this year.