Hawaiian Airlines' N226HA

Hawaiian Airlines is taking delivery of N226HA "Loulu" (msn 9127, f/n 226) today. This A321-271N is making its delivery flight from BFM to PAE as HAL9981.

Qantas Ends 747-400 Service To HNL

Qantas Airways' VH-OEI (c/n 32913, l/n 1330) made the final 747-438 service between SYD and HNL today, as the Australian flag carrier winds down its 747-438 operations. A330-300s will be the replacement type for QFA3/4.

Atlas Air Upgrades To 747-8Fs

For their Qantas Freight wet-lease, Atlas Air is upgrading from its 747-400Fs to 747-8Fs, beginning today. The flights will continue to use HNL as a fuel stop as it flies from the US mainland to Australia.

Arizona Wildcats Team Charter

The University of Arizona Wildcats football team is chartering a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243 for its Saturday road game against the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors. N386HA is making the flight as HAL703.


08.24.19 Update
The team will return to TUS as HAL704 aboard N396HA.

Mokulele Airlines' N879MA Skids Off JHM Runway

Mokulele Airlines' N879MA (msn 208B5019), skidded off of Kapalua's Runway 2 this morning. The Cessna C208B Grand Caravan EX, flying from HNL to JHM, as MHO504, made the runway excursion. None of the eight passengers and two pilots were injured.

Russian Air Force's RF-85655

Another year, another visit by the Russians. Under the Open Skies treaty, Russia sent it's TU-154M outfitted with observation equipment over military installations in the United States. RF-85655 (c/n 89A798) was observed on tracking sights flying locally over Hickam, Kāne‘ohe Bay, and installations on the west side of the island.

Hawaiian Airlines To Launch OGG-LAS Service

Beginning December 15th, Hawaiian Airlines will start service between Kahului, Maui and Las Vegas, with four-times weekly A321-271N service.

Also, Hawaiian will start a thrice-weekly A321-271N service between HNL and SEA on January 7, 2020; and seasonal OGG-LAX A321-271N (December 14, 2019-January 5, 2020).

Further details in this Hawaiian Airlines press release.

‘Ohana by Hawaiian's N807HC

‘Ohana by Hawaiian is taking delivery of N807HC (msn 432) this afternoon. It's their third ATR72-212F for their inter-island cargo operation.

432 was originally delivered to BBAM, and leased to Avianova [RD/NOV] (Italy) in March 1995 as EI-CLD "Fiume Piave". In November 1996, it was transferred to Alitalia, and a year later transferred to Alitalia Express. In December 2005, it was acquired by Alitalia Express, and registered as I-ATRR. In March 2010, it was acquired by Magellan Aircraft Services. A year later, it was sold to First Air [7F/FAB] (Canada)as C-GRMZ. It was converted to a freighter in April 2012. In June 2015, it was acquired by ‘Ohana by Hawaiian, and operated by Empire Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines' Oakland Raiders Logo Jets

Hawaiian Airlines has applied the Oakland Raiders logo to the fuselages on N380HA and N382HA for the 2019 National Football League season, as the airline will provide team charters for team's road games.

Hawaiian Airlines Awarded Another Haneda Flight

The US Department of Transportation awarded Hawaiian Airlines an additional service between HND and HNL today. This new slot will allow Hawaiian to begin A330-200 service in the summer of 2020.

Air China To Suspend PEK Service

Air China Announced Tuesday that they suspend their thrice-weekly A330-200 PEK-HNL service [CCA837/838] effective from August 27th.

This leaves this route with no direct service, as Hawaiian Airlines suspended its PEK-HNL flights a few months ago.

Further information in this Pacific Business News article.

Fiji Airways Retires DQ-FJG

After 20 years of service to Fiji Airways/Air Pacific, DQ-JFG (msn 29968, l/n 275) is being retired and will be parted out. It's being ferried from NAN to SFB [Sanford, FL], via HNL and LAX as FJI2002.

JASDF's 74-3503

Making an appearance in Honolulu was one of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's E-767-27CER. 74-3503 (msn 28016, l/n 618). It belongs to the 602nd Airborne Early Warning Squadron out of Hamamatsu Airbase, Shizuoka Japan.

Delta Air Lines' N826MH

Our August edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" goes back to July 2005, with Delta Air Lines' 767-432ER, N826MH (c/n 27913, l/n 769, f/n 1802), seen above taxiing to Gate 20 (now Gate E3).

N826MH was delivered to Delta in November 2000 in the Ron Allen livery. It's seen above in the "Flag" livery, which is painted in mid-2004. N826MH was painted in the current livery in mid-2010, and was most recently at HNL this past May flying between MSP and ATL.