Delta Air Lines Pushes Back On Merger Speculation

CH-Aviation reports that Delta Air Lines is downplaying any talk of mergers. Concerns about current fuel prices have been causing speculation of airline mergers among industry people. Delta executives say that are not in the market for a merger.

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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.

Our own Google Sheet is documenting the 737 information below, as well as 737MAX series deliveries as of 2017, and is continually 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 updated information per airframe.

According to the Boeing Test Fights Google Sheet and PlaneSpotters.net's 737 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 below, should make a stopover in Hawai‘i on their first segment out of BFI on their delivery flights in the near future. In the past, additional information was also provided by Tyke's Aero Blog, and The Boeing Test Flights website.

DELIVERED

9531 | 9V-MBV | 44260 | Singapore Airlines | -8 [04.05.26 SIA8890]

9511 | 9M-MVO | 43358 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 [04.06.26 MAS5041]

9547 | B-228M | 66419 | China Southern Airlines | -8 [04.09.26 CSN8139]

FERRIED TO HSN FOR COMPLETION

• • • • •

ON ORDER

737MAX Series

9539 | JA738A | 65542 | Skymark Airlines | -8 º | BOE61 « BFI

9567 | VH-8VH | 67038 | Virgin Australia | -8 "Port Noarlunga" | BOE25 « BFI

9571 | VH-8VI | 67039 | Virgin Australia | -8 * "Lake Centenary" | BOE26 « BFI

9582 | B-____ | 64325 | Shandong Airlines | -8  | BOE790 »N235BE « BFI

9587 | VH-8VD | 67040 | Virgin Australia | -8  "Fairhaven Beach" | BOE27 « RNT

9591 | 9M-MVP | 68138 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 | BOE716 « BFI

9592 | B-228Q | 66421 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE157 « BFI

9595 | B-____ | 44407 | China Southern Airlines | -8 | BOE141 »N230BE « VCV

9632 | B-____ | 647111 | Shandong Airlines | -8 »N238BE « RNT

9634 | 9M-MVQ | 68152 | Malaysia Airlines | -8 | BOE634 « BFI

9646 | VH-8V_ | 67041 | Virgin Australia | -8 « RNT

9695 | B-____ | 67926 | 9Air | -8 « RNT »

9716 | JA031A | 68209 | All Nippon Airways | -8 « RNT

9733 | B-____ | 60193 | China Southern Airlines | -8 « RNT

9747 | JA032A | 68210 | All Nippon Airways | -8 « RNT

9777 | JA033A | 68211 | All Nippon Airways | -8 « RNT

• • •

P-8A and E-7A

____ | A47-014 | 64752 | Royal Australian Air Force | P-8A « BFI

• • • • • 

MARKS

« Final Assembly / Pre-Flight Prep / First Flight from RNT (Location [IATA])

« Pre-Delivery Test Flights / Ready For Delivery (Location [IATA])
« Stored (Location [IATA])

« Duplicate Boeing test flight numbers

° New / Modified Livery
* Special Livery / Markings

~ Grey Tail (Only winglets and rudder painted)
» New airline and registration after re-market

« Previous airline and registration prior to re-market
» Boeing registration for ferry to HSN

« Returned to Boeing, NTU

» New / updated information

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

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)

SKF: Kelly Field, San Antonio, TX

• • • • •

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 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, in Zhoushan, China, 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.
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Mokulele Airlines Upgrades Terminal H

In an Instagram post this morning, Mokulele Airlines has upgraded the passenger check-in and waiting at HNL's Terminal H.

18 April 2026 UPDATE

Mokulele Airlines announced via Instagram, that they will add two more C208Bs this summer, one will be named "Huaka‘i" and the other named "Laulima". The registrations have yet to be revealed.

USDOT Approves Allegiant / Sun Country Merger

The US Department of Transportation gave approval for the merger between Allegiant Air and Sun Country Airlines to proceed, with an expected closing date in mid-May. The two carriers will operate separately until a single operating certificate is obtained some time within the next 14 months.

Further information in this Aviation Week article.

With both airlines operating separately, it remains to be seen if Sun Country will fly Mountain West football teams to HNL for road games against the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors for the 2026 season.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CGV

Ukraine Air Alliance's An-12BK (msn 6344610) is making a stop at HNL today from SBD, as UKL5031. The flight originated from LRD, and will be crossing the Pacific to Asia, with its next stop to MAJ.

20 April 2026 UPDATE

UR-CGV departed for MAJ early this morning as UKL5032.

United Airlines CEO Hints At Merger With American Airlines

CH-Aviation reports that United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has posed the idea of a merger between his airline and American Airlines. No one is commenting on how far these talks have gone so far, but Kirby also approached some federal officials the possible merger.

If such a merger would take place, it would form the largest airline in the US, and possibly in the world, with a combined fleet of over 2,100 airliners.

Such a move as this will have to go through the federal government regulatory and antitrust process. It would be protested by Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group, and the other smaller carriers.

ANALYSIS

If this merger were to happen, the effect on the Hawai‘i market would be impacted on two destinations, LAX and ORD, where service would have to be consolidated.

18 April 2026 UPDATE

American Airlines released a statement today, that said they are not interested nor pursuing a merger with United Airlines.

American Airlines And Philippine Airlines Propose Codeshare

American Airlines and Philippine Airlines filed a joint application for a codeshare agreement with the US Department of Transportation. PAL applied for a codeshare out of LAX on AAL's flights to HNL, LAS, SFO, and SEA.

Further information in this Aviation Week article.

Amazon Prime Air's N661AZ

Amazon Prime Air's N661AZ (c/n 29384, l/n 784) is ferrying from QPG to the mainland, with stops at CRK and JRF. This 767-304ERF completed its conversion to a freighter at QPG. N661AZ stopped through HNL last October. It most likely will be operated by Air Transport International.

N919RA

Southern Cross International is ferrying N919RA (c/n 30174, l/n 1175) from PVG to GYR, with stops at GUM and JRF, as SXI2612. This white-tail 737-809F, owned by Boeing Capital, completed freighter conversion at PVG.

30174's History:

Jly 2002: Delivered to China Airlines as B-18615.

__ 2007: Blended Winglets installed.

May 2021: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TPE for three months.

Aug 2021: Ferried to TSA for storage for three months.

Oct 2021: Ferried back to TPE for storage.

Dec 2022: Acquired by Royal Aero GmbH as N919RA, and ferried to MZJ for storage.

Apr 2023: Acquired by Boeing Capital Corporation.

Jly 2023: Ferried to PVG for freighter conversion.

Sumisho Air Lease Begins Operations

Sumisho Air Lease, the merged companies of SMBC and Air Lease Corp., officially began operations as the largest aircraft leasing company as the merger was finalized today.

Further information in this SMBC news release.

China Southern Airlines' B-228M

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-228M (c/n 66419, l/n 9547) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CSN8139.

Super Air Jet's PK-SAF

Super Air Jet is ferrying PK-SAF (msn 3357) from DJJ [Sentani Airport, Jayapura, Indonesia] to P08, with stops at MAJ and HNL, as SJV1. This A320-232 is being returned to its lessor, Avolon Aeropsace, and is due to be parted out and scrapped.

PK-SAF stopped through HNL in September 2023 on its delivery flight.

Conair's C-GVFK

Conair's RJ85 Aerial Firefighter, C-GVFK "Hunter" (msn E2268, f/n 164), is ferrying back to YXX from BQB. It departed BQB on 02 April, and is making stops at AVV, BNE, HIR, MAJ, HNL, OAK, and YVR. Its stop at HNL is tonight.

Malaysia Airlines' 9M-MVO

Malaysia Airlines is taking delivery of 9M-MVO (c/n 43358, l/n 9511) today. This 737-8, their first delivery for 2026, is making its delivery flight from BFI to KUL, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as MAS5041.

Singapore Airlines' 9V-MBV

Singapore Airlines is taking delivery of 9V-MBV (c/n 44260, l/n 9531) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to SIN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as SIA8890.

Hawaiian Airlines Ends Code-Share With Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines filed a termination notice with the US Department of Transportation, that it is ending its code-share with Virgin Australia today. This ends the decade-long partnership between the two airlines.

N583JH

N583JH (msn 208B1001), a C208 Caravan owned by 208B1001 LLC Saipan [Saipan, NMI], is ferrying from SPN to the mainland, with stops at HIR, APW, HNL, and MCE. Its stop at HNL is tonight.

N583JH's History:

Dec 2002: Delivered to Mallard Haven LLC.

Jun 2005: Sold to Skytech Inc.

Sep 2005: Sold to Air Holdings Inc.

Nov 2010: Sold to Lowcountry Trading LLC.

Jun 2018: Sold to 208B1001 LLC Saipan.

Virgin Australia's VH-E2C

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-E2C "Margaret River" (msn 19020209). This E190-E2 is making its delivery flight from SJK to PER, with stops at BGI, OPF, TUS, KOA, NAN, BNE, and CNS, as VOZ9943. VH-E2C departed SJK on 01 April, and it's overnight stop at KOA is tonight.

Aloha Airlines' N741AL

This quarter's HNL RareBirds Classic Aloha Airlines' tribute features N741AL "Olopana" (c/n 28641, l/n 809, f/n 741). This 737-76N is seen above, was photographed while under tow from the RON Ramp at SNA, as it would depart for OGG, prior to my flight to HNL. It was one of two Aloha 737-76Ns that overnighted at SNA.

28641's History:

Mar 2001: Delivered to Aloha Airlines as N741AL "Olopana", under lease from GECAS.

Mar 2008: Withdrawn from service due to airline shutdown, and returned to GECAS a month later.

Jan 2009: Leased to Arik Air as 5N-MJJ "City of Benin".

Jun 2018: Stored at LOS [Murtalla Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nigeria].

Nov 2021: Acquired by AerCap, the lease transferred, and remains in storage.

Mokuele Airlines' N839MA Hard Landing At MKK

Mokulele Airlines' N839MA (msn 208B2392) suffered a flat tire on a hard landing at MKK this afternoon. Flying as FDY39, this C208B Grand Caravan landed hard on MKKʻs Runway 5. Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner and Hawaiian music singer Raiatea Helm was aboard the flight, and posted the result on her Instagram post.

After a tire change and inspection, N839MA continued onto OGG this evening.

Korean Air To End KAL Branding

Shareholders of Korean Air voted to end the English KAL branding, in favor of the new "KE Way" and KE branding, and the airline updated its livery last year. The KE branding is based on the airline's IATA two-letter designation. Part of this has to do with the merger with Asiana Airlines, which is scheduled to be completed this December. Nothing was mentioned regarding the status of the KAL ICAO three-letter designator.

Further information in this Newsis article.

Helicopter Accident At Kalalau Beach

KHON2 reports that a helicopter with five aboard made a crash landing at Kalalau Beach on Kaua‘i's Nāpali coast after 15:30HAST today. It's being reported to be an air tour helicopter belonging to Airborne Aviation. Flight tracks from FlightRadar24 and FlightAware, shows the last helicopter to be in the area as N715KA (msn 490487D), a Hughes 359D, commonly known as a Hughes 500. There were five people aboard the helicopter. N715KA is owned by AA Leasing LP [Kīlauea, Kaua‘i, HI], and leased to Airborne Aviation.

26 March 2026 - 22:00 UPDATE

Kaua‘i County officials report there were three fatalities, and two injuries.

27 March 2026 UPDATE

The FAA confirmed that it was N715KV that crashed, and the accident is under investigation by the FAA and the NTSB.

China Southern Airlines' B-228K

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-228K (c/n 44406, l/n 9503) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to CAN, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CSN8139. This is China Southern's first new-build 737-8 since the groundings.