NASA's N747NA

NASA's 747SP-21 SOFIA [Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy] platform, N747NA "Clipper Lindbergh" (c/n 2144, l/n 306), is making its return to its base at PMD from CHC, and is making a brief fuel stop at HNL.

This former Pan American World Airways and United Airlines 747SP is due to be retired soon.

NASA's N747NA

NASA's SOFIA Airborne Telescope 747SP-21, N747NA (c/n 21441, l/n 306), is making one of its last research flights from PMD to CHC, and is making a fuel stop at HNL. This 747SP is scheduled for retirement by the end of this year, and is spending some time in New Zealand for its remaining missions.

Mahalo to M Benally for the photos.

Qantas Retires Their 747s

Qantas Airways retired its 747 fleet today. It ends the 49-year with the "Queen Of The Skies" that began with 747-238B, VH-EBC (c/n 20011, l/n 162) in October 1971. Qantas has served HNL with four variants: -238B, -SP38, -338, and -438.

VH-OEJ "Wunala" (c/n 32914, l/n 1331) is making one last flight from SYD to LAX as QFA7474 today.

[Top]

747-338, VH-EBT "City of Wagga Wagga" (c/n 23222, l/n 602), taxiing on Taxiway RT in 2005.

[Above]

747-438, VH-OEI "Ceduna" (c/n 32913, l/n 1330), about to touchdown on Runway 8L in 2019.

50 Years!

Today, the Boeing 747 celebrates its 50th anniversary of its first flight!

HNL has seen practically every variant of the "Queen of the Skies", with Pan American and United serving with the -100, to Korean Air and UPS with the 747-8.

Happy 50th Birthday 747!

Fifty years ago today, Boeing Commercial Airplanes rolled out the first 747-100 at Boeing's Everett, WA assembly plant, in front of its employees, airline representatives, dignitaries, and the media.

The initial 747-100 service to HNL, began with Pan American World Airways and United Airlines. Over the course of this past half-century, HNL has seen all the 747's variants transit through. Here are a list of airlines who used the 747 to serve HNL (and KOA):

Pan American World Airways

United Airlines

Trans World Airlines

Continental Airlines

The Hawaii Express

Braniff International Airlines

America West Airlines

American Airlines

Northwest Airlines

Delta Air Lines

World Airways (1st)

Kalitta Air * [as Pacific Air Cargo]

UPS Airlines *

FedEx

Atlas Air * [as Qantas Cargo]

Polar Air Cargo *

Transamerica Airlines [also as Trans International Airlines]

Flying Tigers Airlines

Evergreen International Airlines

Southern Air

Canadian Pacific Air (CP Air)

Wardair Canada

Qantas Airways * [seasonal]

Air New Zealand

Japan Airlines

All Nippon Airways

China Airlines

Air Siam

Korean Air * [seasonal]

Singapore Airlines

* Airlines currently 747s servicing HNL.

Military and government 747s:

US Air Force

Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Republic of Korea Air Force
People's Republic of China [in Air China livery]

Qatar Amiri Flight * [VIP charter]

Saudi Arabian Airlines [VIP charter]

Royal Brunei Airlines [VIP charter]

NASA's N747NA

NASA's 747SP, N747NA, made a fuel stop in the overnight hours at HIK, it arrived from CHC just after midnight, and departed for PMD [Palmdale Regional Airport, CA] after 0430HST.

NASA's N747NA

NASA's N747NA (c/n 21441, l/n 306), their 747SP-21 with the SOFIA telescope in the aft cabin, is making its way to CHC, from PMD [Palmdale Regional Airport, CA], with a stop at HNL (or HIK). It arrived around 0230HST, and left for CHC before 0630HST.

This 747SP was originally delivered to Pan American World Airways [PA/PAA] in May 1977 as N536PA "Clipper Lindbergh". When Pan Am sold their Trans-Pacific operations to United Airlines in February 1986, N536PA was transferred in the sale, and became N145UA. It wore both the Saul Bass livery, and the grey/blue livery. NASA acquired N145UA in October 1997, and added the SOFIA telescope. It was re-registered as N747NA in April 2005.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. VP-BLK

One of the few remaining 747SPs' arrived this afternoon. VP-BLK (c/n 21649) of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation is seen parked at the Ewa stands after bringing high rollers into town.

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.

Las Vegas Sands Corp 747-SP-31

The Las Vegas Sands Corporation's 747-SP-31, VP-BLK, has stopped over here in HNL. It is parked on the North Ramp, and arrived last evening.


***07.03.11 Update***
VP-BLK returned to LAS around 1300HST.

Las Vegas Sands Corporation 747SP

What a rare find this morning! Las Vegas Sands' VQ-BMS (c/n 21649), a 747SP-SP21 was parked at the North hardstands.

Originally delivered to Pan Am in 1979 as N540PA, this aircraft has since been in possession of five other outfits. Pan Am sold it to United Airlines back in 1986 and had its registration changed to N149UA. United then leased it to Tajik Air in 1993. It was then repossessed in 1994 and bought by the Brunei government. During that time the registration was changed three times (V8-JBB,V8-JP1,V8-AC1). In 1998, it was sold to Bahrain. The reg changed twice (A9C-HHH, A9C-HMH). In 2008, it was bought by the Las Vegas Sands.