Shenzhen Joins Star Alliance

Shenzhen Airlines was accepted into the Star Alliance today. They are the 27th airline to join the global alliance. The airline makes stopovers during their 737NG delivery flights from BFI. Shenzhen Airlines' majority owner is Air China, who is a Star Alliance partner.

Further details in this Star Alliance press release.

Air Transat's C-GITS

Air Transat's C-GITS (msn 271) is seen above after arriving from Adi Sumarmo International (WARQ/SOC) Java, Indonesia as TSC905. For the past few years, Air Transat has leased out a few of its A330-243s to Garuda Indonesia for the Hajj pilgrimage.

This is the first of five A330s Air Transat leased to Garuda, that will be transiting through HNL from SOC to YUL or YYZ. C-GITS will be returning to YYZ.

Back in August 2001, C-GITS was involved in an in-flight emergency, as TSC236 (YYZ-LIS), when it ran out of fuel, and glided to land at Lajes AB, in the Azores Islands. 

US Air Force's 68-10331

A Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady from the 1st RS / 9th RW (Beale AFB, CA) made a stop at HNL this morning. 68-10331 (Article 053) landed on Runway 8L, followed by a few support vehicles. It arrived during the Hawaiian Airlines pre-boarding festivities for its inaugural Brisbane flight.

68-10331 departed HNL this morning from Runway 8L.

Hawaiian Says G'Day To BNE

Hawaiian Airlines commenced service between HNL and BNE this morning, with their special pre-boarding festivities, that featured the Hawaiian Airlines Serenaders, food samplers by Chef Chai, speeches by CFO Peter Ingram, and Hawai‘i Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz, and an ‘oli and blessing by Kahu Richard Kamanu.  As customary with all their new destination launches, each passenger also received a lei prior to boarding.

N588HA "‘Iwa" (c/n 33466, l/n 890), a 767-3CBER, was the aircraft selected for the "Aloha Brisbane" flight. "‘Iwa", had a decal applied to its nose section that commemorates the "Southern Cross" Trans-Pacific flight by Sir Charles Edward Kingsford Smith in June 1928 in a Fokker VII/3. "‘Iwa" also wears the Oakland Raiders decal, that denotes the airline's partnership with the NFL franchise, as the official airline of the Raiders, and provides flights to their road game cities. Sister-ship N589HA "Moli" also wears the "Southern Cross" decal.

more photos to follow ...

Mahalo to Hawaiian Airlines for the invitation to this event!

Magnum Helicopters' N369MH

This is NOT an "HNL RareBirds Classic"!

Makani Kai Helicopters has created a special helicopter charter company called Magnum Helicopters, which features an Hughes 500D, N369MH (c/n 380287D), painted in the same colors as the Hughes 369 in the 1980s CBS TV series "Magnum, P.I.". It's seen above, shortly after it was re-assembled, and being readied for a test flight.

Hawaiian's N583HA Makes Cameo In Samsung Spot

Hawaiian Airlines' 767-33AER, N583HA "‘A" (c/n 25531, l/n 423), makes a cameo appearance in a TV commercial for the Samsung Galaxy S III mobile phone. The spot has been running for the past two weeks, during episodes of "The Voice", and features country singer (and Voice coach) Blake Shelton in the beginning.

Mahalo to team member Aeros, for finding this article, that contains the Samsung spot. The spot can also be seen in this link from NBC. N583HA appears at the :15 mark, and looks like it was filmed at LAX, as Terminal 3 can be seen behind the tail of the 767.

Malaysia's 9M-MLR

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of their third 737-800 this month. 9M-MLR (c/n 39328, l/n 4257), a 737-8FZ leased from Babcock & Brown, is making its delivery flight from BFI as MAS5403. It's seen above, on Taxiway C, beginning the second leg of its delivery flight to MAJ.

PenAir's N364PX Returned

A couple of weeks ago, Island Air returned the wet-leased PenAir SF340B, N364PX (msn 340B-262), since the Island Air ATR72, N348AE, has been performing proving and training runs to Island Air destinations.

N13624

Another former United Airlines 737-524 is making its way to Indonesia to join the Sriwijaya Air fleet. N13624 (c/n 27528, l/n 2675, f/n 0624), owned by GECAS, is making its delivery flight from IAH to CGK (via SAT, MCC, HNL, MAJ, and BIK). It arrived last evening, and is scheduled to depart in a few hours of this posting.

N13624 was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in February 1995.

Alaska Adds SAN-LIH

Alaska Airlines announced they are adding service between SAN and LIH, beginning in June 2013.  SAN is the fifth city to serve LIH on Alaska's route network.

Further information in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Air China's B-5695

Air China is taking delivery of B-5695 (c/n 40018, l/n 4251) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight as CCA51, but returned to BFI. After a 90-minute stop, CCA51 left BFI for a second try, and arrived at HNL in the early evening.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5695 at HNL.

Lion Air's PK-LKL

Lion Air is taking delivery of their second 737NG this month. PK-LKL (c/n 38683, l/n 4236), a 737-9GPER, is making its delivery flight today, as LNI1.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LKL at HNL.

Hawaiian And Virgin America Code-Share

Hawaiian Airlines and Virgin America have reached a code-share and frequent flyer program agreement that allows reciprocal benefits for passengers of both airlines.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release. Airliners Gallery's World Airline News had this report earlier this morning.

Shanghai's B-5692

China Eastern Airlines has allocated another 737-800 to one of its subsidiaries. Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5692 (c/n 41301, l/n 4241) today. The 737-8SH, leased from Air Lease Corporation (ALC), is making its delivery flight as CSH692.

Hawaiian's N804HC

N804HC (msn 623), Hawaiian Airlines' second ATR42-500 is on its way, and is being held at COE, after they were ferried from PRG (via KEF).

This ATR42-500 is the former CSA Czech Airlines' OK-JFJ "Namest nad Oslavou", that was delivered to in May 2004. In late February 2009, it was their first ATR42 re-painted to the current CSA livery.

China United's B-5722

China United Airlines is taking delivery of B-5722 (c/n 41785, l/n 4245) today. The 737-89P, originally ordered by parent company, China Eastern Airlines, was allocated to its subsidiary, and is flying as CUA577.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5722 at HNL, but this photo was posted on the Boeing Test Flights blog.

Hawai‘i ANG Raptors Achieve IOC

HNL RareBirds wishes our servicemen and women a Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you to all of you who have served, and are serving in the US Armed Forces.

This past Friday, F-22A Raptors of the 199th FS (Hawai‘i Air National Guard) and 19th FS (Active Duty) have achieved IOC (Initial Operational Capability). The completion of this step takes the integrated unit one step closer to FOC (Full Operational Capability). Once the 199th FS/ 19th FS achieves the FOC (expected next month), they will assume the primary air defense role, as well as a rapid deployment detachment.

More information in this Hawai‘i Air National Guard press release.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 83rd Anniversary today! In the above photo, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, one of their Sikorsky S-38s delivers newspapers at Kealakekua Bay (Big Island).

More information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Since 1929, the airline has grown from an inter-island carrier into an international carrier that reaches all sides of the Pacific Rim, while still flying between the Hawaiian Islands.

N14604

A former United Airlines 737-524, N14604 (c/n 27317, l/n 2576), is making its way to CGK, from SAT (via MCC, HNL, MAJ, and BIK) to join the Sriwijaya Air fleet.

It was originally delivered to Continental Airlines in February 1994, and transferred to United after the mega-merger.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of N14604 at HNL.


*** 12.03.12 Update ***

23717 was re-registered as PK-CLK.

China Southern's B-5698

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5698 (c/n 38933, l/n 4244) today. The 737-81B, flying as CSN5698, will overnight after its initial flight out from BFI, and continue onto MAJ tomorrow morning.

Sorry, we were unable to photos of B-5698 at HNL.