Hawaii residents and visitors who rely on quick flights between the islands will soon notice a shift in the aircraft serving those routes. Alaska Air Group has outlined plans to replace Hawaiian Airlines’ long-used Boeing 717s with larger Boeing 737-800s drawn from the Alaska fleet. The move follows the 2024 merger of the two carriers and aims to modernize service on the state’s neighbor island network while preserving the Hawaiian brand identity.
Timeline for the Aircraft Swap
The full transition away from the 717s is scheduled to begin in 2028. Refreshed and repainted 737-800s will gradually enter inter-island service after undergoing updates in Alaska livery adapted for Hawaiian operations. Even before that date, travelers will encounter the larger jets on select routes. Alaska intends to base one 737-800 in Honolulu starting in October, operating three daily round-trips between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport and Kahului Airport on Maui. This early deployment gives crews and passengers a preview of the aircraft type that will eventually dominate short-haul flights within the state.
What Changes for Passengers on Neighbor Island Flights
The 737-800s offer more seats overall and a different cabin layout compared with the current 717s. Each aircraft will include Starlink Wi-Fi and additional cargo space suited for items such as surfboards. The shift also brings more premium seating options on routes that previously operated with a smaller premium section. Hawaiian currently flies the 717 on as many as 160 daily segments linking Honolulu, Maui, Lihue, Kona, and Hilo. Those airports will see the new aircraft type once the replacement program advances. The 717s, which average roughly 25 years old, have served these routes for decades and are now due for retirement under the updated fleet strategy.
Seating Comparison Between the Two Aircraft Types
| Seating Type | Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 | Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800 |
|---|---|---|
| First-class | 8 seats | 16 seats |
| Premium (extra legroom) | 17 seats | 36 seats |
| Economy | 98 seats | 109 seats |
| Total | 123-128 seats | 161 seats |
Context Within the Alaska-Hawaiian Merger
The inter-island fleet decision forms part of broader post-merger adjustments that include redeploying other aircraft types across the combined network. Hawaiian’s previously ordered Boeing 787-9s have already moved to long-haul routes from Seattle, while upgrades are planned for the Airbus A330s that serve mainland-to-Hawaii flights. Alaska has placed a large order for additional 737 MAX 10 aircraft to support overall growth, with expectations of expanding its total fleet by about one-third by 2035. The company has not specified the exact number of 737-800s that will shift permanently to Hawaiian inter-island duties, though Hawaiian currently operates around 20 717s on those routes.
Long-Term Implications for Hawaii Travelers
Chief executive Diana Birkett Rakao described the decision as a commitment to invest in Hawaii for the long term and to strengthen Hawaiian Airlines while honoring its local heritage. The plan ensures that aircraft flying within the state, as well as those arriving from or departing to the mainland, will eventually carry the Hawaiian livery. For island residents who depend on these flights for work, family visits, or medical travel, and for visitors exploring multiple islands, the change means larger cabins and updated amenities on routes that have long relied on the compact 717. The retirement of the older jets marks the close of one chapter in Hawaiian aviation while opening another shaped by the merged carrier’s resources.
