Boeing is ferrying Shanghai Airlines' N248BE (c/n 43929, l/n 9814) from BFI to HSN for painting and cabin completion. This 737-8 is making overnight stops at KOA and GUM as BOE492. It will receive its Chinese registration upon delivery.
HNL RareBirds™
Aloha! ‘E komo mai! Welcome to THE official HNL RareBirds™ Website!
17 September 2026
US Air Force To Acquire The 737-8
Aviation Week reports that the US Air Force will be purchasing a 737-8, designated as a C-40D, for their Air Mobility Command's VIP fleet. Flight crews will soon undergo training to crossover from the C-40A.
Upcoming 737MAX Deliveries
With airlines around Asia and Oceania ordering the 737MAX series, a majority of these airliners will stop through Hawai‘i (mainly HNL) during the first segment of their island-hopping delivery flights from Boeing Field (BFI) [map]. Boeing has indicated that the variants will be referred to as the -x without the MAX name, we will do the same.
We have our own Google Sheet that is documenting the 737 information below, as well as 737MAX series deliveries as of 2017, and is continuously updated.
Boeing P-8A Poseidons and E-7A WedgeTails on order for armed forces around the Pacific Rim will be added below when information becomes available.
This post will be continuously updated as we receive new information, and this » symbol notates the newest information per airframe.
According to the PlaneSpotters.net's 737 MAX Production List, RZ Jets 737MAX Production List, and the AirFleets 737NG/MAX Production List, these listed below are the airframes that have begun final assembly, made its first flight from RNT, or are being readied for delivery on the BFI flightline. Those listed "On Order", should make a stopover in Hawai‘i on their first segment out of BFI on their delivery flights. Those listed in the "Delivered" and "Ferried to HSN For Completion", will be listed fore the calendar month. In the past, additional information was also provided by Tyke's Aero Blog, the Boeing Test Flight Google Sheet, and The Boeing Test Flights website.
DELIVERED
FERRIED TO HSN FOR COMPLETION
9814 | B-____ | 43929 | Shanghai Airlines | -8~ [09.16.26 BOE492 to KOA]
• • • • •
ON ORDER
737MAX Series
9429 | JA030A | 63208 | All Nippon Airways (ANA Wings) | -8 | BOE429 « BFI
9716 | JA031A | 68209 | All Nippon Airways (ANA Wings) | -8 « RNT
9734 | VT-XPA | 69312 | Air India Express | -10 | BOE734 « MWH
9747 | JA032A | 68210 | All Nippon Airways (ANA Wings) | -8 « RNT
9764 | VT-___ | _____ | Air India Express | -10 « RNT
9777 | JA033A | 68211 | All Nippon Airways (ANA Wings) | -8 « RNT
9788 | VT-___ | _____ | Air India Express | -10 « RNT
9804 | HS-VZT | 67954 | VietJet Air Thailand | -8 | BOE371 « BFI
9806 | HL8755 | 44332 | Trinity Airways | -8 | BOE739 « BFI
9808 | VT-___ | _____ | Air India Express | -10 « RNT
9810 | 9V-MCA | 44270 | Singapore Airlines | -8 | BOE227 « PAE
9811 | VH-8VK | 67048 | Virgin Australia | -8 | BOE35 « PAE
9819 | VT-XPD | _____ | Air India Express | -10 « RNT
9824 | HL8764 | 66776 | Eastar Jet | -8 | BOE753 « BFI
9826 | B-229L | 62954 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE166 « BFI
9831 | HL8769 | 43580 | Trinity Airways | -8 | BOE735 « BFI
9833 | HS-VZU | 63878 | VietJet Air Thailand | -8 | BOE372 « PDX
9835 | HS-VZV | 67957 | VietJet Air Thailand | -8 | BOE372 « BFI
9836 | B-229K | 43581 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE167 « BFI »
9838 | HL8770 | 62958 | Trinity Airways | -8 | BOE271 « BFI
9843 | HS-VZW | 67958 | VietJet Air Thailand | -8 | BOE374 « BFI
9844 | B-22A1 | 64434 | Hainan Airlines | -8 | BOE182 « VCV
9849 | VT-YB_ | _____ | Akasa Air | -8 200 « RNT
9851 | VT-___ | _____ | Air India Express | -10 « RNT
9955 | JA035A | 68212 | All Nippon Airways (ANA Wings) | -8 « RNT
• • •
P-8A and E-7A
• • • • •
MARKS
« Final Assembly / Pre-Flight Prep / First Flight from RNT (Location [IATA])
« Final Assembly / Pre-Flight Prep / First Flight from PAE (Location [IATA])
« Pre-Delivery Customer Acceptance Test Flights / Ready For Delivery (Location [IATA])
« Stored (Location [IATA])
« Stored (Location [IATA])
« Duplicate Boeing test flight numbers
° New / Modified Livery
* Special Livery / Markings
* Special Livery / Markings
~ Grey Tail (Only winglets and rudder painted)
» Boeing registration for ferry to HSN
» New airline and registration after re-market
» New airline and registration after re-market
« Previous airline and registration prior to re-market
« Returned to Boeing, NTU
» New / updated information
LOCATIONS [IATA]
RNT: Renton Municipal Airport, Renton, WA
BFI: King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle, WA
LOCATIONS [IATA]
RNT: Renton Municipal Airport, Renton, WA
BFI: King County International Airport - Boeing Field, Seattle, WA
PAE: Snohomish County Airport (Paine Field), Everett, WA
MWH: Grant County International Airport, Moses Lake, WA
PDX: Portland International Airport, Portland, OR
VCV: Southern California Logistics Airport, Victorville, CA
NIP: Naval Air Station Jacksonville / Jacksonville Airport, Jacksonville, FL (P-8As)
GED: Delaware Coastal Airport, Georgetown, DE (BBJs)
• • • • •
NOTES
In the event that a delivery flight stops through any Hawai‘i airport other than HNL, their IATA airport code will noted after the flight number.
Due to the order backlog for the 737MAX series, some airframes may deliver from sites other than BFI, and will be noted in the flight number information.
If an airframe listed is sold or re-marketed to another airline, it will be noted with a » symbol, along with the new airline and registration. If an airframe was acquired from a previous airline, it will be noted with a « symbol, along with the old airline and registration. Should the airframe delivers through Hawai‘i, the information will be revised with the delivery information. If it's not making a delivery flight through Hawai‘i, that listing will not be changed to the new airline, then removed upon its delivery flight. That information will be kept on our Google Sheet.
Delivery flights that go through ANC, KEF, or any other non-Hawai‘i airport, will only be listed on our Google Sheet. Most 737s delivering to airlines in India will deliver east-bound through KEF [Keflavik International Airport, Keflavik, Iceland] as their first fuel stop. Some 737s delivering to airlines in east Asia (Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam) deliver through ANC [Ted Stevens International Airport, Anchorage, AK] for their first fuel stop. Their information here will be deleted upon their delivery flight. In the event that those 737s delivers through Hawai‘i, they will be listed on a post, and on the annual deliveries page.
Some of the deliveries bound for China will ferry to the Boeing China 737 Completion and Delivery Center, at Putuoshan Airport, Zhoushan, China [HSN], will have its own listing above, along with a Boeing test flight number, and a temporary US Boeing registration assigned to the particular airframe. Some may have its full livery painted, and is going to HSN for cabin completion; while others may ferry as a grey tail (only the rudder and winglets painted), that will be fully painted, along with cabin configuration.
...
15 September 2026
Korean Air Finalizes Order With Boeing
Korean Air finalized their 103-airliner order with Boeing today. The order, worth over USD 44 billion, is comprised of: 50 737-10s, eight 777-8Fs, 20 777-9s, and 25 787-10s. No dates were given as to when the deliveries will begin.
Further information in this Boeing Media Room news release, and this Korean Air news release.
13 September 2026
Global Jet Luxembourg's LX-NYX
Global Jet Luxembourg's A319-153N ACJ, LX-NYX (msn 10897), is making a brief midnight fuel stop from SYD as SVW97YX tonight. It will continue onto ABE [Lehigh Valley International Airport, Allentown, PA]. This ACJ also made a quick stop at HNL this past May.
11 September 2026
Never Forget
Itʻs hard to imagine that the events of September 11, 2001, was 25 years ago. Air travel was forever changed with the hijacking and crashing of four airliners by radical islamist terrorists that claimed the lives of 2,977 innocents. We pause to remember those lives lost on that fateful day, as well as those who perished following the attacks. We are thankful for the men and women who risked their lives trying to rescue those trapped in the aftermath.
In Honolulu that day, F-15 Eagles from the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron escorted inbound flights that were already inbound, and pas the point of no return. The Eagles and their pilots also flew combat air patrols around the state until the all-clear was given.
If you lived through the events of September 11, 2001, please take a moment to pause and reflect on that day.
May we NEVER FORGET what was done.
God Bless America! 🇺🇸
10 September 2026
New Mexico State Team Charter
The New Mexico State Aggies football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-300ER for their road game against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. N378AX (c/n 28147, l/n 611, f/n 378), a 767-33AER, is flying the Aggies from ELP to HNL as OAE2338.
28147's History:
Apr 1996: Delivered to Alitalia as G-OITL "Arturo Ferrarin", under lease from AWAS.
Apr 1997: Re-registered as I-DEIL "Arturo Ferrarin".
Apr 2000: Acquired by SALE, and the lease was transferred.
Jly 2007: Acquired by BOC, and the lease was transferred.
Aug 2009: Acquired by Omni Air International as N378AX.
Jun 2020: Acquired by sister-company Cargo Aircraft Management, and leased back.
13 September 2026 UPDATE
The Aggies returned to ELP, aboard N378AX, as OAE2338. The departed HNL just after 01:00.
07 September 2026
Hurricane Lowell Causes LIH Closure
As of 14:00HAST, the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports has suspended operations at LIH as Category 3 Hurricane Lowell approaches Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau. Inbound flights already en route are being diverted to HNL. The airport will be inspected tomorrow, and a reopening time will be announced then.
Further information in this HDOT news release.
For all of our friends on Kaua‘i and Ni‘ihau, please stay safe!
08 September 2026 UPDATE
HDOT-A reopened LIH at 11:20HAST.
06 September 2026
Asia Pacific Airlines' N286GB
Asia Pacific Airlines is taking delivery of N286GB (c/n 26245, l/n 617). This 757-256F is making its delivery flight from ROW to HNL, with a brief fuel stop at LAX. It will be leased from Petrus Aviation.
AirlineVideos got N286GB landing at LAX from ROW on an Instagram Reel.
26245's History:
Aug 1994: Delivered to Iberia as EC-611 "Mexico", under lease from Sunrock Aircraft Leasing.
Oct 1994: Re-registered as EC-FYM "Mexico".
Nov 2000: Leased to National Airlines as N542NA.
Mar 2003: Sold Icelandair, and transferred to Loftledir Icelandic as TF-FIS.
Aug 2003: Leased to Sierra National Airlines for eight months.
Apr 2004: Leased to Fly Jet Green for one month.
Jun 2004: Leased to Volare Airlines for four months.
May 2007: Leased to Flyglobespan for five months.
Feb 2009: Leased to Yakutia Airlines as VQ-BCK.
May 2014: Returned to Icelandair as TF-FIS "Grímsvötn".
Nov 2019: Painted as the National Geographic logo jet.
May 2020: Converted to a freighter at SFB.
Aug 2021: Sold to Icelease as N286GB.
Jan 2022: Leased to Amerijet international.
Jly 2023: Sold to Petrus Aviation, and the lease transferred.
Dec 2023: Withdrawn from service, returned to lessor, and stored at MZJ.
Labels:
757-200,
Asia Pacific Airlines,
Delivery Flight
National Jet Express' N110BZ
National Jet Express is taking delivery of N110BZ (msn 19000075). This ERJ-190AR is making its delivery flight from MIA to PER, with stops at OAK, HNL, MAJ, and CNS, as AFF698. It will be registered as VH-8EC after delivery.
19000075's History:
Apr 2007 Delivered to Air Canada as C-FHNV.
Oct 2019: Sold to Nordic Aviation Capital as N975NA.
Mar 2021: Leased to Breeze Airways.
Jly 2021: Re-registered as N110BZ (f/n 110).
Aug 2024: Sold to TrueNoord Leasing, and the lease was transferred.
Feb 2026: Withdrawn from service, and ferried to SJO for storage.
Jly 2026: Sold to Regional One, and ferried to OPF a month later.
08 September 2026 UPDATE
N110BZ departed for MAJ this morning as AFF698.
Labels:
Delivery Flight,
ERJ-190,
National Jet Express
04 September 2026
Trans Air's N413JG Returns Home
Following an eight-month plus D-Check at TNN, Trans Air's N413JG (c/n 23148, l/n 1059) returned to HNL this evening. Flying as MUI1, this 737-2Q8 departed TNN, and made stops at TSA [Shongshan Airport, Taipei, Taiwan], GUM, and MAJ.
N413JG departed for its D-Check at TNN on 20 December 2025, as MUI1, and made stops at MAJ and GUM. This 41-year-old 737 is seen above a couple of weeks prior to it departing for TNN.
All Nippon Airways Confirms Eight More E2s
All Nippon Airways has converted the option for eight additional E190-E2s with Embraer, to add to their current order for 15 E190-E2s, for a total of 23. This move is part of the airline's fleet modernization program. ANA has options for five more E190-E2s. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2028. Though we are not sure if these E2s will deliver through HNL, we are hopeful they will.
Further information in this Embraer news release.
UNLV Team Charter
The University of Nevada - Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels football team is chartering an Omni Air International 767-224ER for their Mountain West road game tomorrow against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. The two teams will also be playing for the Island Showdown rivalry trophy. N225AX "Kīkaha" (c/n 30434, l/n 825) is flying the Rebels as OAE2156, and will arrive this afternoon. The team will return to LAS following the game.
05 September 2026 UPDATE
The Rebels are returning to LAS before midnight as OAE2156 following their 21-6 win, and retains the Island Showdown trophy.
N49RF Returning For Hurricane Flights
NOAA's G-IV N49RF "Gonzo" (msn 1246) is returning to Hawai‘i for hurricane analysis flights. Flying as NOAA49, it is en route from LGB to HNL, and will arrive early this afternoon.
03 September 2026
KOA Operations Temporarily Suspended
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports temporarily suspended operations at KOA due cracks found on Runway 17/35. The closure began at 13:35HAST, and lasted for 90 minutes. HDOT-A will do permanent repairs tonight from 23:30, and lasting to 05:00 tomorrow morning.
Further information in this HDOT-A news release.
QantasLink's VH-X4O
National Jet Systems is taking delivery of VH-X4O "Saltwater Crocodile" (msn 55470). This QantasLink-liveried A220-300 is making its delivery flight from YMX to CBR, with stops at YVR, HNL, and APW. It's making its YVR-HNL segment today as QLK6076, with an overnight stop. This is National Jet Systems second A220-300 delivery in ten days.
02 September 2026
Hurricanes Lowell And Karina
With Category 4 Hurricane Lowell to the south of the main Hawaiian Islands, and Category 4 Hurricane Karina approaching to pass northeast of the islands, by Sunday night, the US Air Force and National Hurricane Center has deployed two WC-130J Weatherbirds from the 53rd WRS to fly into the storms.
97-5304 (msn 382-5474), flying as TEAL81, and 99-5309 (msn 382-5501), flying as TEAL82, are based out of KOA, after arriving from SUU this afternoon.
N3408U
N3408U (c/n 34270, l/n 2420), a 737-8EH owned by World Star Aviation, is being ferried from TUS to TNA, with stops at HNL and GUM. It will undergo freighter conversion at TNA.
34270's History:
Oct 2007: Delivered to GOL as PR-GTV, under lease from GECAS.
___ 2017: Sold to World Star Aviation, and the lease was transferred.
Jun 2017: Painted in the current GOL livery.
Mar 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at CNF.
Oct 2024: Ferried to TUS for onward storage.
Nov 2024: Re-registered as N3408U.
01 September 2026
HNL Runway Night Closures
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation - Airports will conduct night closures of Runway 8L, and both Runway 4L and 4R, and at the same time Runway 8L will be shortened to 7,000 feet, as part of a rehabilitation project for Runway 8L and Taxiway A. The project is scheduled to begin on 08 September, and run until April 2027.
Night closures will begin at 22:00, and re-open at 08:00 the next morning. Here are the scheduled closures for the first phase of the project.
08 Sep to 10 Sep: Runway 8L.
08 Sep to 26 Oct: Runway 4L/22R.
26 Oct to 09 Nov: Runway 4R/22L.
Further information in this HDOT news release.
Four Airlines Seek To Keep Midway Atoll ETOPS Option
Four airlines are urging the US Department of Transportation to keep Midway Atoll [MDY/PMDY] in the Northern Hawaiian Islands, as an ETOPS diversion option. Japan Airlines, ZIPAIR, WestJet Airlines, and National Airlines have approached the USDOT to keep the small airstrip open as an alternate in case of an in-flight event over the central Pacific Ocean. The cost to renovate MDY up to current standards is estimated to be $100,000,000USD. Though rarely used as an ETOPS diversion, MDY stands as an airport for ETOPS diversions if needed. MDY is included as part of the Papahānaumokuākea National Wildlife Reserve, which emcompasses the Northern Hawaiian Islands. The atoll itself, is a sanctuary for sea birds, and marine mammals such as the Hawaiian Monk Seal.
The two Japanese carriers expressed that keeping MDY open, will allow their ETOPS operation between Japan and HNL to run more efficiently. Closing MDY as an ETOPS alternate will impact hundreds of other TransPacific flights from Asia to North America, including flights to/from HNL to Japan and the Republic of Korea.
There have been several instances where airliners were forced to make preventative landings at MDY. One was in June 2011, where a Delta Air Lines 747-451 was forced to land at MDY, after it departed HNL for KIX.
31 August 2026
FAA Bans Trident Helicopters Jump-offs
The Federal Aviation Administration has banned Trident Adventures helicopters from having guests jump into the ocean from their Eurocopter AS355F2, N52ZX (msn 5515). Citing safety reasons, the FAA says that guests must remain inside the helicopter.
Further information in this Hawai‘i News Now report.
Virgin Australia's VH-8VJ
Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-8VJ "Dundee Beach" (c/n 67043, l/n 9794). This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from MLB (following IFE enhancements) to BNE, with stops at ONT and KOA, as VOZ9947. It's overnight stop at KOA will be tonight. This is Virgin Australia's third 737-8 delivery this month.
NOAA's N43RF
With Tropical Storm Lowell passing to the south-southeast of the Hawaiian Islands, and Category 3 Hurricane Karina to the southeast of the islands, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is deploying N43RF "Miss Piggy" (msn 285A-5633) from its base at LAL to JRF, via LGB, as NOAA43.
Further weather coverage in this Fox Weather report.
01 September 2026 UPDATE
Tropical Storm Lowell has been upgraded to a Category 1 Hurricane, and Karina has been upgraded to a Category 4.
30 August 2026
Qantas Airways' VH-ZNM
On a related note to our post on the 27th regarding Qantas Airways' fleet renewal, the airline has begun seasonal 787-9 DreamLiner fleet substitution for QFA103/104 today. VH-ZNM "Mateship" (c/n 66077, l/n 1035) is making today's flight. According to FlightRadar's flight data for QFA103, it appears that over the next week, 787-9s will be doing most of the flying of the route.
29 August 2026
Federal Express' N884FD
Federal Express' original liveried 777-FS2, N884FD "Rosie" (c/n 37137, l/n 917, f/n 884), is making its first appearance at HNL this afternoon. It's flying as FDX1413 from MEM, and will go onto OAK in the evening as FDX3815.
Feb 2011: Delivered to Federal Express, named "Ananyaa".
Aug 2026: Repainted in the original Federal Express livery, and renamed "Rosie".
Aug 2026: Repainted in the original Federal Express livery, and renamed "Rosie".
Labels:
777-F,
Federal Express,
Special Livery/Markings
China Southern Airlines' B-229V
China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-229V (c/n 66427, l/n 9784) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM as CSN5682. This is China Southern's tenth 737-8 delivered this year.
Labels:
737-8,
China Southern Airlines,
Delivery Flight
27 August 2026
Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter
Hawaiian Airlines' A321-271N, N216HA "Mamane" (msn 8471, f/n 216), is flying the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team to SJC as ASA9681. The Rainbow Warriors are embarking on their "Week 0" road trip to face the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday afternoon.
N216HA will stay at SJC to bring home the Rainbow Warriors following the game with the same fight number.
30 August 2026 UPDATE
N216HA brought home the Rainbow Warriors following their 37-27 loss to the Cardinal.
Labels:
A321-200N,
Alaska Air Group,
Hawaiian Airlines,
Team Charter
Aloha Air Cargo's N454KH
Aloha Air Cargo is taking delivery of N454KH (c/n 28198, l/n 2806). This white-tail 737-48EF is making its delivery flight from SNN to HNL, with stops at KEF, BGR (as N454KH), TUL and OAK, as AAH9454. It will be leased from World Star Aviation.
28198's History:
Jly 1996: Delivered to Asiana Airlines as HL7509, under lease from ILFC.
Aug 2006: Leased to Miami Air International as "Osa".
May 2014: ILFC becomes AerCap, lease transferred.
May 2016: Painted in the Trump / Pence Campaign livery as an additional campaign aircraft.
Aug 2017: Sold to Vx Capital Partners, and ferried to YLW for freighter conversion.
Oct 2017: Re-registered as N478VX.
Aug 2018: Leased to Azul Cargo as PR-AJZ "Cargo Team".
May 2022: Acquired by World Star Aviation, and the lease transferred.
Feb 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at VCP [Viracopos International Airport, Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil]
Mar 2025: Ferried to LDE for storage.
Jan 2026: Acquired by World Star Aviation as 2-RJAZ, and ferried to VAR [Varna International Airport, Varna, Bulgaria] for storage.
Jun 2026: Ferried to SNN for preparation to lease to Aloha Air Cargo.
Qantas To Retire A330 Fleet Beginning In 2027
As part of its fleet renewal, Qantas Airways will begin retiring its 16 A330-200s and 13 A330-300s in late 2027. This move comes alongside the airline's accelerated retirement of their ten A380-800s, now scheduled to begin in 2028. Qantas has 12 A350-1000s, 12 A350-1000ULRs, and 12 787-9 DreamLiners in their order book, plus options for more airframes. The A350-1000s and 787-9s will replace the A330s, while the A350-1000ULRs will replace the A380s.
Currently, Qantas uses their A330-300s for their QFA104/103 service between SYD and HNL. Occasionally, they will substitute the smaller A330-200s. Previously, Qantas had used their 787-9s for their SYD-HNL route during the summer of 2024. It has yet to be determined which airliner type will replace the A330.
Further information in this Aviation Week article.
Labels:
787-9,
A330-200,
A330-300,
A350-1000,
Fleet Changes,
Qantas Airways
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