Qantas VH-VZR

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of its newest 737-838. Dubbed "Coral Bay", VH-VZR (c/n 34193, l/n 3754) is seen above after arriving from Boeing Field (KBFI/BFI).

Alaska Neighbor Island Flights To Go Daily

Beginning March 12, 2012, four Alaska Airlines flights from the Bay Area to the Neighbor Islands will increase its frequencies to daily service.

ASA863: SJC-LIH
ASA868: LIH-SJC

ASA879: OAK-LIH
ASA886: LIH-OAK

ASA893: SJC-KOA
ASA894: KOA-SJC

ASA887: OAK-KOA
ASA888: KOA-OAK

Alaska Airlines press release.

KC-135's 55th Anniversary Of First Flight

Boeing Defense announced that today is the 55th anniversary of their KC-135 Stratotanker's first flight. Also known as the 717-148, the Stratotanker remains the backbone of the US Air Force's tanker fleet.

Pictured above, is 57-1508 "Hōkū-kea" (c/n 17579, l/n 188), a KC-135R, of the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 203rd Aerial Refueling Squadron, departing HNL's Runway 8R. It's one of a dozen KC-135Rs that the 203rd ARS shares with the 96th ARS (active duty) as part of the US Air Force's "Total Force Integration".

Volga-Dnepr's RA-82079

Another An-124-100 Ruslan of Volga-Dnepr has been spotted in HNL. RA-82079 (c/n 9773052062157) was parked at the North Ramp hard-stands for the past few nights. Volga-Dnepr has been contracted by the U.S. Government to fly out-sized cargo for the upcoming deployment of troops to Afghanistan.

N593HA In Air Canada Colors

Hawaiian Air's 767-33AER, N593HA "Nēnē" (c/n 33424, l/n 901), has been painted in AIr Canada's colors. The lease with AWAS expired, and it's going onto to its next assignment. The Canadian registration has yet to be distributed, but the Air Canada fleet number will be 692.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the above photo!

***10.03.11 Update***
N593HA will be registered as C-GHPN when it's integrated into the Air Canada fleet.

Shenzhen's B-5616

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5616 (c/n 39149, l/n 3755) today, and is flying as CSZ915. It is their second 737-87L to be delivered this month. B-5616 is seen above the next day, on Taxiway C, as it prepares to taxi out to "the Reef Runway" to depart for MAJ.

Air China's B-5585

Air China is taking delivery of their second 737-89L in a week. B-5585 (c/n 40029, l/n 3756) is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CCA51 today. It's seen above, on Taxiway RT, to continue its second leg to MAJ the next day.

Use Of Our Photos

It has been brought to my attention that one of our photos has been used in a Philippines-based business publication without our consent.

I would like to re-iterate that anyone, including journalists and news outlets, who would like to use our photos here, MUST obtain the permission from the posting photographer to use the photo for their report. Otherwise, it is construed as copyright infringement! It is also poor ethics on the part of that particular publication.

Most, if not all, of our team members would love to have their photos published elsewhere, but it must be done so in an appropriate manner.

Also, the photo in question, had a copyright graphic cloned over. That, in and of itself, is outright copyright infringement.

This is the article that used my photo ...

Asiana To Offer Scheduled Service?

According to this thread from airliners.net, Asiana's ICN-HNL charters will turn into scheduled service from December 8. Asiana's website does not show this information, nor does it show HNL as a destination. However, this information is loaded and does show up in the various GDS's. You can also find this information on the various online booking and travel search sites.

The flights operate on Sunday and Thursday on the following schedule:

OZ232 ICN-HNL 2000-0900

OZ231 HNL-ICN 1100-1750 +1

The A330-300 will be used on these flights.

Luzair To Operate Japan-HNL Charters

AirlinerRoutes.com reports that Portuguese charter airline Luzair (LUZ) will fly 21 charter flights from a variety of Japanese cities to HNL. The flights will last from 13 November 2011 to 03 January 2012 using their A340-300.

Stay tuned for more details!

Northern Air Cargo 737-232F

A 737-232F, N321DL (c/n 23093, l/n 1024), from Northern Air Cargo (NAC) is parked on Aloha Air Cargo ramp. NAC is a cargo airline based in Anchorage, AK, and is owned by the Saltchuk Resources, who also owns Aloha Air Cargo. This aircraft is here temporarily to fly for Aloha Air Cargo, due to one of Aloha's aircraft is out due to maintenance.

N321DL originally was delivered to Delta Airlines in 1984 and was in service with them until 2005. The aircraft was then converted into a freighter and started flying for NAC in 2006.

Hawaiian Air's N922ME

N922ME (c/n 55184, l/n 5142) is the first of three additional Boeing 717-2BLs that Hawaiian Air is leasing from Boeing Capital. It's currently being prepped in MIA, after being stored at VCV. 

These three 717s were previously with Midwest Airlines, and N922ME was delivered in April 2005. After Midwest phased out their 717s, they were set to go to Mexicana Click, but were not taken up. Quite a few 717s were painted in Mexicana Click colors, but weren't delivered due to the airline's shutdown in August 2010. They have been in storage at VCV since.

Hawaiian Air has registrations N491HA, N492HA, AND N493HA reserved with the FAA for the three 717-2BLs. N922ME is due to arrive in September.

Royal Thai Air Force C-130

A Royal Thai Air Force C-130 has stopped over in Hawaii and is parked on Hickam's Hazardous Cargo Pad. This C-130 has its vertical stabilizer painted in a special livery celebrating the C-130's 30 years of service in the RTAF. The tail number should be L8-8/33 / 60108. For a better look at the livery on the vertical stabilizer, the airliners.net database has a couple of pictures.

Second shot taken from the new Ewa hard-stands.

Xiamen's B-5280

Xiamen Airlines' fourth of four new 737-75Cs, B-5280 (c/n 38385, l/n 3752), is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CXA5280.

Air China's B-5583

Air China's B-5583 (c/n 40016, l/n 3749) is their newest 737-89L that is making its delivery flight from BFI to PEK (via HNL, MAJ, and SPN) as CCA51. It's seen above on short final for Runway 4R.

A second look at B-5583 as it taxies out to Runway 8R to depart for its second leg to MAJ, after it overnighted on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp.

China Eastern's B-5276

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5276 (c/n 37919, l/n 3741), a 737-79P. It's making its delivery flight from BFI as CES299, with its first leg to HNL today. This is the first China Eastern 737 to be fitted for "high and hot ops" and the new Boeing Sky Interior, and assigned to its Sichuan subsidiary.

B-5276 is seen above on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp, and photographed with a Nikon 10-24mm ultra-wide lens I rented to shoot a wedding a few days ago.

Boeing information from their flickr.com page.

Delta To Order 100 737-900ERs

In a move to replace some their aging 757-200s, Delta Air Lines will be placing an order for 100 737-900ERs. News report state that the estimated deliveries are to start in 2013. On Hawai‘i routes, Delta currently uses their 757-200s for all flights to the Neighbor Island airports from LAX.

FlightGlobal and Bloomberg article links.

Delta Airlines "Habitat for Humanity"

Delta Airlines Habitat for Humanity special livery 767-332ER came in today as DAL608 from Narita (RJAA/NRT). N171DZ (c/n 29690, l/n 717) wears a sharp scheme that could be mistaken for a private jet if the Delta titles were not present.

China Southern's B-2259

One of China Southern's few remaining MD-90-30's is making its way across the Pacific to join the Delta Airlines fleet. B-2259 (c/n 53529, l/n 2220) is seen above at the North ramp after arriving from Majuro (PKMJ/MAJ) as CSN6999 the previous afternoon. It will be re-registered as N959DN when it joins the Delta fleet.

B-2259 was originally delivered to China Northern Airlines in February 1998. It was integrated into the CSN fleet after a merger with CBF in November 2004.

JAL Upgauging JL75/76 In September

Starting September 1st, JAL's flights JL76/75 will be upgauged to the 777-246ER on certain days through out the month. The scheduled arrival and departure times for JL76/75 are 0830HST and 1010HST respectively.

Hainan's B-5620

Hainan Airlines' B-5620 (c/n 38144, l/n 3733), a 737-84P, is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK via HNL, MAJ, and SPN. The flight number is not listed on any flight trackers, but may be flying as B5620. It was seen from the Interstate H1 parked on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp.

Alaska To Add 3rd SEA-HNL Flight

Alaska Airlines announced that they will begin a third daily 737-890 service between SEA and HNL. Beginning 22 December 2011, ASA899 departs SEA at 1600PST, and arrives at HNL at 2018HST. The return flight, ASA864, leaves HNL the next morning at 0800HST, and arrives at SEA at 1541PST.

Qantas JetConnect's ZK-ZQH

Qantas Jetconnect is taking delivery of ZK-ZQH (c/n 39357, l/n 3743), a 737-838. It's using the Qantas delivery flight number QFA6024 to make its trek from BFI to AKL.

Mahalo to team member Aeros for the photo!

Shandong's B-5593

Shandong Airlines has taken delivery of B-5593 (c/n 39115, l/n 3742), a 737-85N, that is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG5593. It will overnight at HNL tonight, after completing it;s first leg across the Pacific.

Shanghai's B-5610

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-5610 (c/n 37906, l/n 3744), a 737-86D. It's making its delivery flight from BFI today, as CSH610, with its first stop at HNL. B-5610 is seen above on Taxiway C, after landing on Runway 4R. It will overnight on the AirService Hawai‘i ramp.

Facebook Page

HNL RareBirds has joined the social networking site Facebook, where we'll post our photos and news links.

Air Australia To Enter Hawai‘i Market

Australian carrier Strategic Airlines (VC/AGC) will re-brand itself to Air Australia, a low-cost carrier in October. It will launch service to HNL from MEL and BNE using A330s on 14 December 2011. Air Australia will be the third Australian carrier to serve HNL, and the fourth airline total (along with Hawaiian Air, which has gone daily) to enter the Australia-HNL market. It would become the only airline flying to/from MEL and BNE. Currently, HA, JQ, QF only serve SYD.

The report by The Australian.


***Update 09.04.11***
Australian publication Travel Weekly has a preview of the new Air Australia colors and re-branding.

Shenzhen's B-5615

Shenzhen Airlines has taken delivery of B-5615 (c/n 38148, l/n 3736), a 737-87L. It's making its delivery flight across the Pacific as CSZ913, and arrived at HNL last evening, and continues onto MAJ today.

Sorry, no HNL photo, though Rick Schlamp got a photo of B-5615 at BFI.

USAF Cobra Ball

An RC-135S "Cobra Ball" of the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron "Sylvester" / 55th Wing, based at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska was sent in for an exercise in Hawaiian airspace. Aircraft arriving this morning from the west was delayed for approximately 30 minuets due to the exercise. 61-2662 (c/n 18292, l/n 3018) is seen above returning from a 10-hour sortie.

"Hawaiian Airlines Field At Aloha Stadium"

Hawaiian Airlines has teamed with Aloha Stadium in sponsoring the newly installed UBU turf and renamed the field "Hawaiian Airlines Field At Aloha Stadium". Hawaiian Air is also a major corporate sponsor the University of Hawai‘i Athletic Department.

The top photo show four major Hawaiian Air signage locations around Aloha Stadium: in the mauka and makai gaps in the north end zone; a banner across, and along with a lit sign on the upper level facade, and painted logos on the field. The center photo shows the logo painted on both north and south 25-yard-lines. The bottom photo has Hawaiian Air's CEO & President Mark Dunkerley posing at the south 25-yard-line, with the one of the gap banners.

The Hawaiian Air press release.

Xiamen's B-5278

Xiamen Airlines has taken delivery of their third (of four on order) 737-75C today. B-5278 (c/n 38383, l/n 3734) is making its delivery flight from BFI to XMN as CXA5278, with its first leg to HNL.

Sorry, no HNL photo ...

Lion Airlines' PK-LHV

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of PK-LHV, a Boeing 737-9GPER (c/n 38302, l/n 3735). It arrived in HNL late this morning as LNI1, and left about an hour or so later for MAJ.

China Southern's B-5275

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5275, a Boeing 737-71B (c/n 38912, l/n 3730). It arrived HNL late this morning as CSN601, and will overnight.

China Eastern Begins Scheduled Service

Today, China EasternAirlines begins its scheduled service between Shanghai-PuDong, China (PVG/ZSPD) and Honolulu. Flying this historic first flight was B-2380 (c/n 129), a A340-313X. This China Eastern flight will fly twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays, as CES571/572.

RYN6763

One of Ryan International's six 767s came in this morning as RYN6763 from Narita (RJAA/NRT) and parked at gate 26. The titles of N763BK's (c/n 23765) former operator can be seen. This 767-3Z9ER previously flew for XL Airways as G-VKNG and Lauda Air as OE-LAU. Ryan International is flying charters from NRT for the August family travel season in Japan.

Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center's Tu-154

Today, a Tupolev Tu-154M/LK-1 from the Yuri A. Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center landed at HNL around noon, and taxied to HIK. RA-85655 (c/n 89A798) is also used by the Russian Federation to operate missions under the Open Sky treaty.

This aircraft last visited back in 2007.

Sorry about the quality, this bird came in as a big surprise.

Malaysia's 9M-MXE

Malaysia Airlines, today, has taken delivery of 9M-MXE (c/n 40132, l/n 3723), a 737-8H6. It's flying from BFI as MAS5473, and seen above taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp, where it will overnight.

Korean Adds NRT Flights For August

To accommodate the summer family travel season in Japan, Korean Air has added an extra flight operating between NRT and HNL (KAL9741/9742) for the month of August, using their A330-300s.

HL7585 (msn 350) is seen above, rolling out on HNL's Runway 4R.

RNZAF's NZ7572

One of the two Royal New Zealand Air Force's 757-2K2s, NZ7572 (c/n 26634, l/n 545), is paying a visit to HNL, with a contingent of Royal New Zealand Armed Forces.

MGM Grand Air's N803MG

The August edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to June 1994, when the MGM Grand Air DC-8-62H, N803MG (c/n 45910, l/n 311) paid a visit to HNL. It's seen above on Taxiway C, heading out to Runway 8R.

45910 was originally delivered to Alitalia as I-DIWV in November 1967. It was then acquired by Pacific East Air as N39307 in the early 80s. MGM Grand Air then acquired it, and registered is as N803MG. Trans Continental Airlines then acquired 45910, and converted it to a freighter, and re-registered it as N818SK. It then went to Kuwait Airways as 9G-REM. Sadly, this DC-8 and crew were lost in a crash in October 1999 at KIH (Kinshasa, Zaire).