Hawaiian To Expand To NRT

Hawaiian Airlines announced today that they will launch daily A330-243 flights between HNL and NRT, and is scheduled to begin on July 22, 2016. This will be Hawaiian's fourth destination in Japan, and 11th overall, internationally. HAL821 will be the HNL-NRT segment, and HAL822 will be the NRT-HNL segment.

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

Aloha ‘Oe N840AL

This morning, Aloha Air Cargo is bidding a fond aloha ‘oe (farewell) to N840AL "Ho‘omaka‘ana Hou" (c/n 23124, l/n 1046), as its being flown to TUS to be placed into storage. The 737-2X6C/Adv is making its final flight out of HNL as AAH840, and will make a stop at OAK, before heading to TUS. It's seen above a few days prior to its farewell.

N840AL was the cargo airline's first 737-200C, when the airline held its unveiling in October 2008.

Allegiant Puts N901NV In Storage

Allegiant Air is flying N901NV (c/n 26963, l/n 450) to GYR from its LAS base for storage, as the airline begins winding down its 757-204 operations. N901NV last flight out of HNL was four days ago, as it flew to LAS as AAY1050.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPB

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPB is making its way back to Australia as VOZ9902. It arrived from VNY this afternoon, and will continue onto APW tomorrow.

Mokulele Changes ICAO Code & Callsign

Today, Mokulele Airlines changes its ICAO code to MHO, and it's callsign to "Mahalo" for its Hawai‘i flight operations. The airline's IATA code, MW, remains the same.

Fuzhou's B-7113

Fuzhou Airlines [FZA] is taking delivery of B-7113 (c/n 61322, l/n 5678) this afternoon. The 737-84P is making its delivery flight from BFI as B7113, and will overnight at HNL.

Setouchi Seaplanes' N143QK

Setouchi Seaplanes is taking delivery of N143QK (msn 100-0143), Quest Kodiak 100 seaplane, that will be registered as JA03TG upon arrival in Japan. Prior to its delivery flight, it has been used as a demonstrator, including being on display at the 2015 EAA Oshkosh Air Show.

Shanghai's B-6698

Shanghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-6698 (c/n 41489, l/n 5674) today. The 737-89P, allocated from its parent company, China Eastern Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSH336.

Air China's B-6499

Air China is taking delivery of B-6499 (c/n 44927, l/n 5679) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA78, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandong's B-7086

Today, Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of their second 737-85N in as many days. B-7086 (c/n 44928, l/n 5676) is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7086, and will overnight at HNL.

Shandongʻs B-7085

Shandong Airlines is taking delivery of B-7085 (c/n 41629, l/n 5673) today. The 737-85N is making its delivery flight from BFI as CDG7085, and will overnight at HNL.

Malindoʻs 9M-LNY

Malinda Air is taking delivery of 9M-LNY (c/n 39871, l/n 5654) today. The 737-8GP is making its delivery flight from BFI as MXD1, and will make its brief pre-dawn fuel stop at HNL.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPC

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPC "Cabaret Beach" (msn 19000170) is making its ferry flight from BNE to BNA for its maintenance check. The E190 is flying as VOZ9901, and arrived from APW this afternoon, and will continue onto VNY tomorrow.

Virgin Australia's VH-ZPC

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-ZPC "Cabaret Beach" (msn 19000170) from BNE to BNA (via APW, HNL and VNY)  for its maintenance check. The E190 is making the flight as VOZ9901.

SF Airlines' B-7342

To continue the transit through HNL for cargo conversion theme, SF Airlines B-7342 (c/n 26278, l/n 671) a 757-2G5F arrived this afternoon. B-7342 stopped at Honolulu back in June of this year on it's way to the mainland for freighter conversion.

11.25.15 Update

B-7342 was moved into the United Airlines hangar, after being relocated to the South Ramp.

Aloha Air Cargo's N303KH

Five months have passed since N303KH (c/n 25606, l/n 3123) passed through Honolulu to the mainland for conversion. The arrival of the 3rd 737-300 coincides with the imminent retirement of N840AL, which has had its titles painted over..

Nok Airʻs HS-DBU

Nok Air is taking delivery of HS-DBU (c/n 61294, l/n 5762) today. The 737-88L is making its delivery flight from BFI as HSDBU, and will overnight at KOA.

China Eastern's B-1649

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6149 (c/n 39748, l/n 5666) today. The 737-89P, their second this week, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Hawaiian's N379HA

Hawaiian's 22nd A330-243 has joined the fleet. N379HA (c/n 1672) is named "Pau-Ahi", Hawaiian for "People's Star"

Hawaiian Re-Purposes 717 Upholstery

Hawaiian Airlines donated upholstery from their replaced 717-200 seats to the Honolulu Community College Fashion Technology Program for an upcycle project that would be done by its students for HONOLULU Fashion Week, this weekend.

Allegiant To End HNL Service in 2016

Allegiant Air announced that will end HNL service in September 2016, and will retire all six 757-204s in early 2017. The airline cited rising costs as the main factor to exit its Hawai‘i service.

China Eastern's B-6148

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6148 (c/n 41479, l/n 5661) today. The 737-89P is making its delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL. 

Aero-Flite's N355AC

Aero-Flite's N355AC (msn E2293),a converted RJ-85 is making its way down south to Australia once again for their upcoming fire season.

Paris Attacks

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Paris, France, and around the world, affected by the cowardly terrorist attacks in Paris.

Hauʻoli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 86th birthday today!

Veteran's Day

The HNL RareBirds team expresses our gratitude to those who currently serve, or who have served, in the US Armed Forces, on this Veteran's Day. And to those who serve (or served) in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, we honor you on this Remembrance Day.

American Airlines Airbus A321 Service To OGG

American recently introduced the A321 between OGG and LAX, replacing the 752's.

Particularly interesting was their choice of registration for the aircraft seen today departing for LAX as AAL254. N125AA was previously worn by an American Airlines DC-10-10 and the registration was retained when the aircraft operated for Hawaiian Airlines.

Urumqi Air's B-6995

Urumqi Air is taking delivery of B-6995 (c/n 61323, l/n 5655) today. The 737-84P, allocated from Hainan Airlines, is making its delivery flight from BFI as B6995, and will overnight at HNL.

China Eastern's B-6166

China Eastern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6166 (c/n 41814, l/n 5651) today. The 737-89P is makings delivery flight from BFI as CES9001, and will overnight at HNL.

Donghai's B-6982

Donghai Airlines is taking delivery of B-6982 (c/n 61270, l/n 5640) today. The 737-83Z is making its delivery flight from BFI as EPA286, and will overnight at HNL.

Kunming's B-6495

Kunming Airlines is takin delivery of B-6495 (c/n 44383, l/n 5643) today. The 737-8LY is making its delivery flight from BFI as KNA6495, and will overnight at HNL.

Air China's B-6496

Air China is taking delivery of B-6496 (c/n 44926, l/n 5648) today. The 737-89L is making its delivery flight from BFI as CCA79, and will overnight at HNL.

Xiamen's B-6889

Xiamen Air is taking delivery of B-6889 (c/n 43914, l/n 5647) this morning. The 737-8MB, leased from ICBC, is making its delivery flight from BFI as CXA6889, and will overnight at HNL.

Allegiant's N327NV

Allegiant Airlines' latest A319-111, N327NV (msn 2556), is making its delivery flight from HKG to TPA (vis GUM, HNL, and IWA).

This A319 was originally delivered to Cebu Pacific Airlines as RP-C3189 in September 2005. It was withdrawn from service ten years later, sold to Allegiant, and ferried to HKG for repaint and interior reconfiguration.

China Southern's B-6069

China Southern Airlines is taking delivery of B-6069 (c/n 41614, l/n 5644) today. The 737-81B is making its delivery flight from BFI as CSN8, and will overnight at HNL.

Virgin America Launches Hawai‘i Service

In their own style, Virgin America launched service between SFO and HNL today, with VRD51 making its inaugural flight that arrived to hula dancers, Virgin America flight attendants and HNL Station personnel, and local dignitaries. N281VA "Pineapple Express" [top photo], adorned with a special decal by street artist Si Scott, arrived on Runway 4R, and taxied to the South Hardstands. 

Instead of the festivities held at the gate, the airline chose to hold its inaugural arrival on HNL's South Ramp. Aboard the maiden revenue to Hawai‘i was Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson [above photo], along with Virgin America CEO David Cush. Hawai‘i Governor David Ige was on-hand to greet the flight as well.

After the event was complete, the A320-214 was towed to the main terminal for its return flight to SFO as VRD50.

Virgina Australia's VH-YFV

Virgin Australia is taking delivery of VH-YFV (c/n 41030, l/n 5641) today. The 737-8FE is making its delivery flight from BFI as VOZ9940, and will overnight at LIH.

N707UW

Our November edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" takes us back to October 2005, with N707UW (msn 949), an A319-112, as it was ferrying to China, after its lease with US Airways expired.

949 was purchased by GECAS, and leased to US Airways in January 1999, and was given the fleet number 707. It was leased to United Eagle Airlines [EU/UEA] (China) in March 2006 as B-6155, which changed its name to Chengdu Airlines in January 2010. In June 2011, this A319 was sold to AerCap. In June 2012, it was leased to Hamburg Airways [HK/HAY] (Germany) as D-AHHE. In April 2013, it was leased to TAME [EQ/TAE] (Ecuador) as HC-COF, where it presently flies.