Hawaiian Airlines to Replace 717s With Alaska's Boeing 737s

Hawaiian Airlines will replace its fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s from Alaska Airlines for its inter-island service. Alaska Air Group announced the plan on Tuesday, detailing that the transition is expected to begin in 2028. The Boeing 717s, which have been a staple for Hawaiian's inter-island flights for decades, are approximately 25 years old on average. Currently, these jets operate up to 160 daily flights connecting five major Hawaiian islands: Honolulu, Maui, Lihue, Kona, and Hilo.

The acquisition of Hawaiian by Alaska in 2024 prompted a review of the long-term strategy for neighbor island operations. The introduction of the larger Boeing 737-800s will accommodate more passengers per flight compared to the current 717s. Specifically, the 737-800s will feature around double the number of premium seats. The 717s typically seat 116 passengers (8 first-class, 17 premium, 98 economy), while the 737-800s planned for Hawaiian's inter-island routes will seat 161 passengers (16 first-class, 36 premium, 109 economy).

Before deployment in Hawaii, the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800s will undergo refurbishment and be repainted in Hawaiian Airlines' livery. This strategic shift aims to modernize Hawaiian's inter-island fleet and enhance passenger capacity and comfort on short-haul routes within the state.