N796BA

N796BA (c/n 30327, l/n 356), a 737-7BC BBJ, owned by F&L Aviation III LLC (Las Vegas, NV), was at HNL today, and is seen above on the South Ramp.

30327 was originally delivered to NetJets Aviation as N127QS in August 1999, configured with a VIP interior. It was acquired by F&L Aviation in June 2011.

Hawaiian Adds Raiders Logo

The National Football League's Oakland Raiders logo has been applied to Hawaiian Airlines' 767-3CBER, N588HA (c/n 33466), "‘Iwa." Hawaiian Airlines will be the Raiders charter airline for the 13th season in a row.

It was photographed yesterday at SEA, departing to HNL as HA021.

Hawaiian Applies For KOA-HND

Hawaiian Airlines has applied with the US Department of Transportation for a second slot to fly to HND, not from HNL, but KOA. The proposed daily service between KOA and HND would be operated with an A330-243. Hawaiian had previously applied for a second HNL-HND flight, but feels now that there is a demand for the KOA service.

This would return service between the two cities since Japan Airlines (JAL70/79 [NRT-KOA-HNL-NRT]) cancelled daily service a few years ago. The difference will be that the Hawaiian flight will return to HND directly from KOA. JAL79 used to make a stop at HNL before returning to NRT.

Downloadable PDF link of Hawaiian's application.

Shenzhen's B-5673

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-87L this month. B-5673 (c/n 39155, l/n 4158) is making its delivery flight from BFI today as CSZ910, and will overnight at HNL. It's seen above, departing for MAJ from the "reef Runway", the next morning.

Pacific Wings Caravan Clips Pole At LUP

A Pacific Wings C208B Caravan clipped a light pole at LUP while taxiing, last week (date unknown). N303PW (msn 208B0985), was the Caravan involved in the accident. According to sources, none of the passengers nor the pilot were injured. The Caravan, however, sustained damage to the starboard wing. It's not known whether the aircraft can be repaired there. There's speculation that the Caravan will need to be shipped back to HNL by boat.

Photo of the incident involving N303PW.

N303PW was originally painted in the wave-themed Pacific Wings livery, but the C208B was later assigned to Georgia Skies (a Pacific Wings EAS subsidiary). N303PW was recently brought back to Hawai‘i, without the Georgia Skies markings.

China Southern's B-2921

One of two China Southern Airlines' 737-3Q8s leased from AWAS, is making its way back to the US mainland from PVG to MZJ (via HAK, GUM, MAJ, HNL, and OAK) as CSN2002. B-2921 (c/n 27286, l/n 2528) was delivered new to China Southern in September 1993.

This 737 made for a China Southern's own trifecta on HNL's South Ramp. It's too bad all three CSN 737s weren't parked in neighboring hard stands.

Xiamen's B-5657

Xiamen Airlines' B-5657 (c/n 38394, l/n 4153) wraps up today's 737-800 delivery hat trick. The 737-85C is flying as CXA5657, and is seen above on Hard Stand I.

China Southern's B-5675

China Southern Airlines' B-5675 (c/n 38926, l/n 4154) is the second 737-81B of the daily double (and hat trick). It's flying as CSN568. Along with sister-ship B-5676, it sits on the AirService Hawaii ramp.

China Southern's B-5676

Another 737-800 delivery hat trick, the second in three days, will stop through HNL today!

Leading off this hat trick, is China Southern Airlines' B-5676 (c/n 39827, l/n 4138). This 737-81B, flying as CSN567, is also part of a China Southern daily double. It's seen above, on the AirSevice Hawaii ramp.

Delta's N701DN

Delta Air Lines' N701DN (c/n 29740, l/n 697), a 777-232/LR, diverted into HNL from SYD as DAL16. The flight was bound for LAX. 

This 777 was the first Long Range variant delivered to an operator in the US back in February 2008, and wears the titles "The Delta Spirit". It later departed for LAX that night as DAL9856.

Qantas' VH-XZA

Qantas Airways is taking delivery of their newest 737-838, VH-XZA (c/n 39367, l/n 4150) today. It's making its delivery flight as QFA6024.

Allegiant To Launch IWA-HNL Service

Allegiant Airlines announced they will commence thrice-weekly 757-204 service between IWA (Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport) and HNL, beginning February 7, 2013.

Further information in this Allegiant Airlines press release.

Air China's B-5680

Wrapping up the 737-800 delivery trifecta is Air China's B-5680 (c/n 40035, l/n 4149). This 737-89L is flying as CCA51.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5680 at HNL.

Hainan's B-5686

Hainan Airlines' B-5686 (c/n 38156, l/n 4147), is the second 737-800 in today's trifecta. The 737-84P is flying as B5686.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5686 at HNL.

Shandong's B-5651

Shandong Airlines' B-5651 (c/n 38642, l/n 4145), leads off a 737-800 delivery flight trifecta that will stop through HNL today. The 737-85N is flying as CDG5651, and is seen above on HNL's South Ramp.

Las Vegas Sands 747SP

This 747SP-SP21 of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is becoming a frequent site in HNL. VQ-BMP (c/n 21649) sits in the morning sun awaiting its high rollers.

Air Pacific Re-Brands To Fiji Airways

Today, Air Pacific revealed their re-branded look and name as Fiji Airways, as they welcome their three new A330-200s, and a 737-800. Fiji Airways was actually the original name when the airline started in 1951. The existing fleet will be re-painted to the new brand as well. 

More information in this Airliners Gallery article that includes the new logo.

Shenzhen's B-5672

Shenzhen Airlines is taking delivery of B-5672 (c/n 39154, l/n 4146) today. The 737-87L is making its delivery flight as CSZ909, and will overnight at HNL.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of B-5672 at HNL.

Greetings from Boston!

Well, not really as I am already back in Hawaii. Boston is one of the most historic cities in the United States and likes to boast about having many of the first/oldest things in the country. Things like the first public park (Boston Common), first subway system, or oldest major league baseball stadium (Fenway Park).

Recently, Boston has added another first, the first U.S. city to receive scheduled service from Boeing's 787. JAL started flying NRT-BOS using the 787-8 on April 22nd. Of course I had to get a picture of the 787, and luckily JAL uses a gate at the end of BOS's Terminal E. This means you can see it from various areas outside of the teriminals.

Hawaiian Continues With The Raiders

Hawaiian Airlines will continue with the NFL's Oakland Raiders. It will be the 13th season that Hawaiian will transport the "Silver & Black Attack" for all of its pre-season and regular season road games.

More information in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

China Southern To Add Winglets To 737NGs

In the original order of 737 Next Generations, China Southern Airlines did not have Aviation Partners Blended Winglets installed. However, the airline has opted to install winglets on 40 737NGs.

Seen above, is China Southern's 737-81B, B-5190 (c/n 35366, l/n 2223), that was delivered in March 2007 without the Blended Winglets.

More details in this Airliners Gallery article.

N14613

N14613 (c/n 27326, l/n 2633), a former United Airlines 737-524, is making its way from SAT to CGK today. It was sold to Wells Fargo Bank Northwest, and will be leased to Sriwijaya Air. It will make a brief fuel stop at HNL from its segment from LAX, before it continues onto MAJ.

N14613 was delivered to Continental Airlines in July 1994, as f/n 613 . It had Aviation Partners Blended Winglets installed in July 2008, and was transferred into the United fleet after the merger as f/n 0613.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of N14613 at HNL.

Lion Air's PK-LKF

Lion Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-9GPER in as many days! PK-LKF (c/n 38723, l/n 4140), is making its delivery flight as LNI1, inbound to HNL.

This is also Lion Air's third 737NG delivered in the past ten days, as PK-LJY (a 737-8GP) was delivered this past July 31st.

Sorry, we were unable to get a photo of PK-LKF at HNL, but team member Drewski2112 got a photo of it at BFI.

VIP Aboard Hawaiian's Bellanca

Yesterday, the Hawaiian Airlines Bellanca CH-300 Pacemaker had a very special passenger for one of its air tours over O‘ahu. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, his wife, and son-in-law were treated to an air tour on the 80-year-old propliner, flown by Hawaiian's President and CEO Mark Dunkerley. Archbishop Tutu is seen above, seated in the co-pilot's seat, with CEO Dunkerley seated in the left seat, as the Bellanca taxies back from its flight.

I came across this flight while trying to get photos of the China Eastern 737-79P delivery flight. Upon editing the photo, I noticed the honored passengers aboard the Bellanca, along with other photos I took after the plane parked.

Xiamen's B-5656

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of their third new liveried 737-85C today. B-5656 (c/n 38393, l/n 4135) is the third delivery flight in the past four weeks, and is making its island-hopping trip as CXA5656. It's seen above on Taxiway C, headed for it's hard stand spot, where it (and its crews) will overnight at HNL, before continuing on toward XMN.

Lion Air's PK-LJZ

Lion Airlines' 70th 737NG is making its delivery flight from BFI today, as LNI1. PK-LJZ (c/n 37296, l/n 4128), a 737-9GPER, is wearing a commemorative tail design instead of the Lion Air logo (above photo). It's seen in the top photo taxiing to the Castle & Cooke Aviation ramp for its brief HNL stopover for fuel.

PK-LJZ was initially painted as PK-LKZ, but Boeing corrected a few days prior to today's delivery flight.

China Eastern's B-5293

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-5293 (c/n 39721, l/n 4133) today. The 737-79P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES789, and will overnight at HNL. B-5293 is seen above in the Yunnan Peacock special livery, shortly after arrival.

B-5293 is the second 737NG painted in this livery, along with B-5663, which stopped through HNL in July.

Allegiant Announces GEG and BOI

Allegiant Airlines announced this morning, that they will launch service between GEG [Spokane International Airport, Spokane, WA] and HNL; and BOI [Gowen Field Airport, Boise. ID] and HNL. The GEG-HNL service begins on February 8, 2013, and the BOI-HNL service begins February 9, 2013.

Further details in this Allegiant Airlines press release.

Hawaiian Airlines Media Lunch

HNL RareBirds was one of the local media outlets invited to a media lunch held by Hawaiian Airlines today at the Halekulani Hotel. President and CEO Mark Dunkerley gave an overview of how the current expansion came about, and his vision for the future of the airline. They also revealed the amenities of the new in-flight experience for mainland-Hawai‘i flights, "Mea Ho‘okipa (I am host)", that launches this week.

Further details on the "Mea Ho‘okipa" service in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Xiamen Orders 30 737MAXs

Xiamen Airlines will become the first Chinese carrier to order and receive the 737MAX with their order of 30 aircraft announced today. This goes along with their 40 737-85C order they placed a few days ago.

Further information in this Aviation Week article.

Xiamen Air 737 Order

Today, Xiamen Air placed an order for 40 more 737-85Cs, through its parent company China Southern Airlines. Deliveries are for this order are scheduled to begin in 2016.

Further details in this Bloomberg News report.

SilkAir Orders 737NGs and 737MAXs

SilkAir [MI/SLK] (Singapore), the wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines [SQ/SIA], has placed an order with The Boeing Company to purchase 23 737-800s and 31 737-MAX8s, and an option for 14 more.

Most recently, SilkAir has been using A319-100s and A320-200s.

More information in this Boeing press release, and Aviation Week article.

It remains to be seen if the initial 737-800 orders, scheduled to launch in 2014, will stop through HNL on their delivery flights.

Xiamen's B-2658

Our August edition of "HNL Rarebirds Classic" takes us back to August 2000, when Xiamen Airlines took delivery of B-2658 (c/n 30512, l/n 637), a 737-75C. It's seen above on the ramp area right of Anderson Aviation, awaiting its next leg to MAJ. According to various aviation photography websites, B-2658 continues to wear this same livery above, though the last photos were from three years ago.

Note that this version of the livery has the multi-hued blue stripes go across the nose cone. The version after this one has the stripes curve under the nose cone, and in the aft section curve more upward toward the horizontal stabilizers. Of course, Xiamen Airlines recently rebranded itself as Xiamen Air, and a new livery.

July Deliveries

The following were the July 737NGs deliveries through Hawai‘i:
4092 | PK-LJW | 37295 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [07.02.12 LNI1]
4097 | B-5683 | 39400 | China Eastern Airlines | -86N* [07.10.12 CES299]
4102 | B-5650 | 38641 | Shandong Airlines | -85N [07.13.12 CDG5650]
4105 | 9M-MXI | 40136 | Malaysia Airlines | -8H6 [07.16.12 MAS5473 - KOA]
4101 | B-5589 | 40989 | China Eastern Airlines | -89P [07.17.12 CES299]
4103 | B-5291 | 38962 | China Southern Airlines | -71B [07.17.12 CSN5291]
4107 | B-5671 | 39154 | Shenzhen Airlines | -87L [07.17.12 CSZ908]
4109 | VH-YIJ | 39924 | Virgin Australia | -8FE "Pennington Beach" [07.18.12 VBH9902 - LIH]
4112 | B-5653 | 38391 | Xiamen Airlines | -85Cº [07.21.12 CXA5653]
4115 | B-5685 | 38155 | Hainan Airlines | -84P [07.25.12 B5685]
4117 | B-5679 | 40034 | Air China | -89L [07.25.12 CCA51]
4119 | VH-YIM | 38716 | Virgin Australia | -8FE [07.25.12 VBH9882 - LIH]
4120 | B-5290 | 38925 | China Southern Airlines | -71B [07.27.12 CSN5290]
4121 | B-5655 | 38392 | Xiamen Airlines | -85Cº [07.28.12 CXA5655]
4123 | VH-YIL | 38713 | Virgin Australia | -8FE [07.30.12 VBH9882 - LIH]
4125 | PK-LJY | 38722 | Lion Airlines | -8GP [07.31.12 LNI1]

º New Livery
* Special Livery / Markings