Airbus Canada To Build A220-500

Airbus Canada is trying to line up orders for its new proposed A220-500 variant, as it seeks to begin development later this year. If approved by the Airbus board, this new variant will seat up to 180 passengers, while reducing range (unspecified).

Further information in this CH-Aviation article.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N781HA For Repainting

Alaska Airlines ferried N781HA "Kapuahi" (c/n 66429, l/n 1172, f/n 781) from SEA to FTW early this morning for repainting into the new global livery.

Hainan Airlines' B-228F

Hainan Airlines is taking delivery of B-228F (c/n 64429, l/n 9448) today. This 737-8 is making its delivery flight from BFI to HAK, with overnight stops at HNL and GUM, as CHH2288. This the first 737 delivery flight to stop through Hawai‘i for 2026.

Delta Air Lines Orders 31 Airbus Widebodies

Delta Air Lines announced today that they have placed an order for 31 Airbus widebody airliners that comprises of 16 A330-900neos and 15 A350-900s. The order includes an option for 10 airliners.

Further details in this Delta Air Lines press release.

UPS Airlines Retires Their MD-11F Fleet

In their investors earnings call, UPS announced that their fleet of 36 MD-11Fs have been retired from service. Two of the 36 are still stored at HNL, N254UP (c/n 48406, l/n 547, f/n 254) and N288UP (c/n 48504, l/n 611, f/n 288) have been here since the grounding following the crash of UPS2976. 

N254UP has been parked on the ‘Ewa ramp since the grounding, and N288UP has been parked at Hardstand 2. Both aircraft have their engine intakes and exhausts covered, and the vent ports have been taped over.

Nothing has been revealed as to the plans to ferry out these two MD-11Fs.

Further information in this UPS press release.

Surf Air To Invest In Mokulele Airlines And eIPP

Surf Air, Mokulele Airlines' parent company, announced that they are investing US$22.4 million in the Hawai‘i's commuter airline. This investment will allow Mokulele to expand flight frequencies, and add more C208B Grand Caravans to its fleet. It will also allow Surf Air to prep for their new Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) deployments in the future.

On a related note, Surf Air is also partnering with HDOT and BETA Technologies to tender RFPs for its proposed Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Program (eIPP), where electric-powered aircraft would be the base of Mokulele's future fleet.

Further information in this Surf Air press release on the Mokulele Airlines investment, and the press release regarding the eIPP project.

Federal Express' N101FE

Federal Express is adding a flight from OAK to HNL, FDX1860, and it will be flown by their 767-3S2Fs. N101FE "Hannah" (c/n 42706, l/n 1058, f/n 101) is making today's pre-dawn flight. This will be the first time that FedEx will use their 767s for scheduled cargo flights to HNL, and comes on the heels of the MD-11F groundings.

Back in August 2021, Federal Express sent N120FE for ground training at HNL.

24 January 2026 UPDATE

N101FE was sent to HNL for ground training.

27 January 2026 UPDATE

N101FE departed for OAK early this morning, as FDX1830.

FAA To Redesign Hawai‘i Flight Paths

Hawai‘i News Now reports that the Federal Aviation Administration is in the process of redesigning the flight paths around the country, beginning in Hawai‘i. The article stated that two of the people that HNN interviewed, live in Kaimukī, where arriving traffic crosses over that part of Honolulu at 8,000 feet complained of noise.

Hardly noisy, in comparison to west O‘ahu, where aircraft of all sizes are on final approach from Kapolei to Iroquois Point, at altitudes of 3,000 feet to 500 feet respectively. There is a nightly noise-abatement curfew from 21:00 to 06:00 for Runway 8L, when all of the runways are in use.

Further information and Hawai‘i Airspace Modernization Project (HAMP) forms in this FAA weblink.

EDITORIAL

I used to live in Kaimukī for several years, and can personally say that itʻs not noisy at all for arriving traffic from the west coast. Yes, there is general aviation, and small airline traffic that crosses over metro Honolulu, but even the noise levels were not loud. Military helicopters would be the loudest, but they only overfly the city on training missions or medevac flights.

Network Aviation Secures ERJ-190s

Network Aviation has secured three of its 14 second-hand ERJ-190s that is has on order. Operating for QantasLink, and based out of PER, these ERJ-190s will replace Network's aging fleet of Fokker F100s. Deliveries for their ERJ-190s is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. The source of where the ERJ-190s are being procured from has not been disclosed.

The Network ERJ-190s will have the same QantasLink livery as the ones that are operated by Alliance Airlines (above).

Further information in this CH-Aviation.com article.

VH-SBT

VH-SBT (msn 580), a Dash8-315 Q300, owned by the Avmax Group, is being ferried from ASP to YYC, with stops at CNS, MAJ, and JRF. This white-tail Q300's overnight stop at JRF is tonight.

580's History:

Feb 2002: Delivered to Sunstate Airlines as VH-SBT, to operate for QantasLink.

May 2009: Acquired by Eastern Australia Airlines to operate for QantasLink.

__ 2017: Painted in the current livery, and named "Rockhampton".

Dec 2024: Withdrawn from service, and stored at TMW.

Dec 2025: Ferried to ASP for storage.

Virgin Australia's VH-VUG

Virgin Australia is ferrying VH-VUG "Jasmine Tasman" (c/n 34438, l/n 1948) from BNE to MZJ, with stops at NAN and HNL, as VOZ9946. This 737-8FE is being returned to its lessor, Deucalion Aviation. Its overnight stop at HNL is tonight.

VH-VUG's History:

May 2006: Delivered to Virgin Blue, named "Jasmine Tasman", under lease from Goshawk Aviation.

Jly 2009: Transferred to Pacific Blue Airlines.

Dec 2011: Airline re-brands as Virgin Australia.

Jan 2017: Acquired by Deucalion Aviation, and the lease transferred.

Dec 2025: Titles and logos painted over before its lease return ferry flights.

Korean Air Switches To The 777-300ER

Korean Air switched from their 787-10 to the 777-300ER today. HL7783 (c/n 37644, l/n 806), the SkyTeam-liveried 777-3B5ER made this morning's flight. This fleet change is scheduled to run the month of January.

HL8535 (c/n 60300, l/n 1156) made the yesterday's last 787-10 flight for the time being.

Royal Australian Air Force's N584GA

The Royal Australian Air Force's No. 10 Squadron is receiving their first MC-55A Peregrine electronic warfare / signal intelligence aircraft. N584GA (msn 5584) is making its delivery flight from GVT [Majors Airport, Greenville, TX] to YPED [RAAF Base Edinburgh], with stops at DMA, HIK, and UAM, as SAME55. This airframe is based on the Gulfstream G550, and modified by L3Harris. It's the first of four MC-55As ordered by the RAAF to compliment their EA-18G Growlers, E-7A Wedgetails, and F-35A Lightning IIs.

20 January 2026 UPDATE

N594GA departed for UAM this morning.

Air Vanuatu's N708GH

Air Vanuatu is taking delivery of N708GH (msn 481), and it's making its delivery flight from FPR [Treasure Coast International Airport, Fort Pierce, FL] to VLI, with stops at RVS, FLG, CMA, SMX, ITO, and PPG. Its overnight stop at ITO is tonight.

481's History:

Nov 1975: Delivered to Merpati Nusantra as PK-NUS.

Feb 2014: Airline ceased operations, PK-NUS shipped via boat to FPR for storage.

Jun 2023: Purchased by Aviation Management Sales as N708GH.

Oct 2025: Purchased by a TVPX trustee.

18 January 2026 UPDATE

N708GH departed for PPG this afternoon.

Delta Air Lines Orders 30 787-10s

Boeing and Delta Air Lines announced today that the airline has placed a firm order for 30 787-10 DreamLiners, with an option for 30 more, as part of its fleet modernization. They will be powered by the GENx series of engines. According to a Delta Air Lines Instagram post, deliveries are expected to begin in 2031. This order is in addition to the 100 737-10s Delta placed in July 2022.

Further information in this Delta Air Lines press release and this Boeing press release.

Alaska Airlines' N784HA Makes First HNL Day Flight

Alaska Airlines' first 787-9 in the new global livery, N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784), made its first daytime flight to HNL from SEA this morning. This DreamLiner flew from SEA as ASA821, and will return to SEA as ASA822 this afternoon.

US Air Force's 80-0138

80-0138 (c/n 22830, l/n 948), an E-3G Sentry from the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron / 513th Air Control Group, is making a stop at HIK from TIK, as NOVA02. It will participate in Sentry Aloha 26-1.

Sentry Aloha 26-1

The first edition of Sentry Aloha 2026 (26-1) begins this week. Hosted by the Hawai‘i Air National Guard's 154th Wing, several other Air National Guard units from across the country will participate in this air combat simulation exercise.

One of the fighter units participating is the Wisconsin Air National Guard's 176th Fighter Squadron "Badgers" / 115th Fighter Wing, and their F-35A Lightning IIs. The other fighter unit is the 122nd Fighter Squadron / 159th Fighter Wing "Bayou Militia" of the Louisiana Air National guard. Hawker Hunters from ATAC are also participating.

Also participating are KC-135R units are from the Wisconsin Air National Guard (126th Air Refueling Squadron / 128th Air Refueling Wing) and the Nebraska Air National Guard (155th Air Refueling Wing). C-130Hs from the Wyoming Air National Guard (187th Airlift Squadron / 153rd Airlift Wing), and E-3Gs from the 970th Airborne Air Control Squadron / 513th Air Control Wing, and 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron / 3rd Wing.

Further information in this Hawai‘i Department of Defense press release.

Allegiant Airlines To Acquire Sun Country Airlines

Allegiant Airlines and Sun Country Airlines announced today that the former will acquire the latter in a cash and stock deal valued at over US$1.5B. This newly combined airline is subject to government regulations, then a single operating certificate under Allegiant's name, and headquartered in Las Vegas. Both airlines will continue to operate until the merger is approved.

Allegiant is currently adding the 737-8-200 to its fleet, with an initial order of 50 737-7s and 737-8-200s, with an option  for an additional 50, in January 2022. Currently, Allegiant as 16 737-8-200s in service, among its fleet of 127 airliners. In October 2023, the airline added an additional options for 80 more 737MAX. These 737MAXs will be replacing their Airbus A319-100 and A320-200s. Allegiant used to fly from HNL to LAS (then other cities) using 757-200s from 2012 to 2016.

Sun Country Airlines has a fleet of 68 737NGs, 65 737-800s and 3 737-900ERs. The airline does fly to HNL for college football charters for some of the Mountain West Conference opponents. Sun  Country also has a twice-weekly charter flight between LAX and KOA as SCX8501/8502, with VIP cabin-configured N839SY. The Minneapolis-based airline also has a subfleet of 20 737-800Fs flying for Amazon Prime Air. Sun Country also has two more 737-900ERs that have yet to be delivered from their purchase from Oman Air.

Further information in this Allegiant Airlines press release, and this Sun Country Airlines press release.

12 January 2026 UPDATE

FreightWaves.com reports that Sun Country they will add two 737-800Fs for their Amazon Prime Air operations.

Alaska Airlines' N784HA

Alaska Airlines' N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784) is making its first appearance at HNL this evening. This 787-9 DreamLiner is arriving from SEA as ASA841, and will return to SEA a few hours later as ASA842.

QantasLink's C-FUWE

JD Aero is delivering C-FUWE (msn 4477) to Sunstate Airlines from YAM to BNE, via YYJ, HNL, and MAJ. This QantasLink-liveried Dash8-402 Q400 is making an overnight stop at HNL tonight. It will be registered as VH-X4L after its delivery flight.

4477's History:

Sep 2014: Delivered to Westjet Encore as C-FUWE (f/n 416).

May 2023: Withdrawn from service, and stored at YYC.

Aug 2025: Ferried to YQA, then YAM for prep for QantasLink.

US Air Force's 64-14847

64-14847 (c/n 18787, l/n c2308), an RC-135U Combat Sent, from the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron / 55th Wing, is making a stop at HIK from OFF tonight, as COBRA47.

Federal Express' N914FD

Federal Express is adding a fourth 757-200F for their inter-island operations. N914FD "Bella" (c/n 24367, l/n 208, f/n 914), 757-28AF, is ferrying from MEM, via GJT [Grand junction Regional Airport, Grand Junction, CO], as FDX9075.

23467's History:

Feb 1989: Delivered to Odyssey International as C-GAWB, under lease from ILFC.

May 1990: Leased to Nationair (f/n 502).

Oct 1990: Re-registered as C-GNXI.

Apr 1993: Leased to Air Transat as C-GTSK.

Nov 1993: Leased to Leisure Air as N240LA.

Mar 1995: Leased to Transaero as EI-CLM "Норильск (Norilsk)".

Nov 1997: Acquired by MSAF, and the lease transferred.

Dec 1997: Re-registered as N701LF "Норильск".

Dec 1998: Leased to Flying Colours as G-FCLG.

Mar 2000: Leased to JMC Air.

Apr 2000: Acquired by AWAS, and the lease transferred

Mar 2003: Leased to Thomas Cook.

Feb 2009: Purchased by Federal Express as N914FD "Bella", and converted to a freighter.

13 January 2026 UPDATE

N914FD inducted into service today as FDX1005, HNL-ITO.

Hawaiian Airlines' N780HA Ferried For Repainting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N780HA "Kālepa" (c/n 66428, 1097, f/n 780) from SEA to FTW for repainting into their 787 "global livery". This is the first of the four Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787-9s to undergo repainting.

29 January 2026 UPDATE

N780HA was ferried to SEA from FTW as ASA9811 this morning, and entered service from SEA to ICN as ASA871.

N227GV

PT Indocater's ERJ-190 Lineage 1000, N227GV (msn 19000159), is making a stop at HNL from LAS today. Operated by Premair, this Lineage 1000, is making its annual stop at HNL .

10 January 2026 UPDATE

N227GV departed for GUM today.

Alaska Airlines Places Large Order

Alaska Airlines announced today has placed an order for 105 737-10s and five 787-10s, their largest order in the airlines' history. They also have an option for an additional 35 737-10s. The airline can also adjust the 737MAX variants should they need to. The order for the five 787s are conversions of previously held options.

Ukraine Air Alliance's UR-CAJ

UR-CAJ (msn 8346106), an Ukraine Air Alliance An-12BK, is making a brief fuel stop at JRF from SBD as UKL5049. The flight originated in MID [Rejon Airport, Meridia, México] and is going to DRW, with stops at SBD, JRF, MAJ and POM.

14 January 2026 UPDATE

UR-CAJ is stopping through JRF from AJ as UKL5023.

Atlas Air's N850GT

Atlas Air's N850GT (c/n 37570, l/n 1455) is en route to HNL from ADW, via FFO [Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton, OH] as VENUS03. It will park at HIK. This 747-8F is performing training flights for US Air Force pilots who will be flying the VC-25B and the E-4C.

07 January 2026 UPDATE

VENUS03 flew down to KOA and ITO with multiple landings, before returning to HIK.

08 January 2026 UPDATE

VENUS03 departed for KOA, then returned to ADW today.

US Air Force's 62-4130

62-4130 (c/n 18470, l/n c3036), an RC-135W Rivet Joint, from the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron / 55th Wing, is making a stop at HIK today from OFF as SNOOP30.

Alaska Airlines Rolls Out N784HA In New Livery

Alaska Airlines rolled out N784HA (c/n 66432, l/n 1268, f/n 784) from the paint shop at FTW today, and will fly to BFI as ASA9978. This is Alaska Airlines' first 787-9 wearing the new global livery for the DreamLiner fleet.

Further details in this Alaska Airlines press release.

Hawaiian Airlines' Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan

The Alaska Air Group announced today that they will be investing over US$600M over the next five years  for Hawaiian Airlines' Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment to improve their lobbies and gates at all five Hawai‘i airports; improved app and website and technology improvements; enhanced rewards and benefits for local residents; and upgrading the cabins of their A330-243 fleet.

Delta Air Lines' N527DN

N527DN (msn 720, f/n 3527), Delta Air Lines' 100th Anniversary-liveried A350-941, made an appearance today at HNL as it flew the airline's second ATL-HNL flight, DAL438/962.

Aloha Airlines' N743AL

This quarter's edition of "HNL RareBirds Classic" features Aloha Airlines' 737-76N, N743AL "Paʻao" (c/n 28654, l/n 986), seconds from touching down on Runway 26R in 2005. 2026 would have been Aloha Airlines' 80th anniversary had Aloha still existed. In honor of their anniversary, our four quarterly HNL RareBirds Classics this year will feature Aloha 737s.

28654's History:

Oct 2001: Delivered to Aloha Airlines as N316ML, under lease from GECAS.

Jan 2002: Re-registered as N743AL, and named "Paʻao".

Dec 2005: Leased to Air-Berlin as D-ABBS.

___ 2007: Sold to Genesis Leasing, and the lease transferred.

Jan 2008: Painted in the 2007 livery.

Mar 2010: Sold to AerCap, and the lease transferred.

Mar 2013: Leased to Southwest Airlines as N7811F.

Jan 2022: Painted in the current livery.

Jan 2023: Purchased by Southwest Airlines.

Jun 2025: Withdrawn from service, and stored at BHM.

Hau‘oli Makahiki Hou!

Happy New Year! The HNL RareBirds™ team wishes you all a blessed and prosperous 2026!

2026 marks the 20th year of this website! A big mahalo goes out to all of our contributors and you, our readers, for making it this far. The above logo will be seen in the lower right corner of our 2026 photos and videos.

You may have noticed that we've made slight changes in the website layout. On our pages tabs, we will only list the 2026 and 2025 737 and A220 deliveries. All of the other past 737 deliveries pages, and the HAL deliveries page have been moved to the sidebar listed as Past Deliveries.