Hawaiian Airlines fleet to be replaced with Boeing 737-800 aircraft

Alaska Airlines announced the future of Hawaiian Airlines interisland flights will be serviced by a modern fleet of Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft, replacing its retiring Boeing 717 fleet.

The new fleet will deliver a significantly improved guest experience and greater reliability for Hawai‘i and interisland travelers.

Traveler’s will receive a modern onboard experience with the new 737-800 aircraft experience that features:

• Twice as many first class seats and more than 30 additional premium class seats, creating more upgrade opportunities for Huaka‘i by Hawaiian and Atmos Rewards members.
• Fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi on all flights.
• More room in cargo for surfboards.
• Reclining leather seats.
• 110-volt power outlets.
• Device charging stations and seatback device holders.

“Neighbor island service is part of the fabric of life in Hawai‘i, and we know how deeply our guests, employees and communities care about its future,” said Hawaiian Airlines Chief Executive Officer Diana Birkett Rakow in an airline release. “This decision reflects our commitment to invest in Hawai‘i for the long term, to strengthen Hawaiian Airlines and to honor the local expertise, culture and care that have made Hawaiian the airline of Hawai‘i for nearly a century.”

These new aircraft will sustain the safe, reliable and frequent service Hawai‘i residents depend on for work, school, family, medical care and everyday life throughout the state while delivering a more modern and premium onboard experience for all guests.

Boeing 737-800 aircraft are durable, reliable and proven aircraft with airframes and engines that can withstand the high cycles of interisland operations while enabling the airline to maintain capacity to meet demand with a full schedule of daily flights.

“The 737-800 gives us a proven, capable platform for the next chapter of neighbor island flying,” said Alaska and Hawaiian chief of Hawai‘i Operations Jim Landers in the release. “It is well-suited to the operational needs of the islands and gives our teams a clear path to transition from the 717s while continuing to deliver the reliable service our guests expect.”

Its aimed to begin fleet transition in 2028 and then move quickly to bring this additional capacity and enhanced experience to guests. Additional details will be shared as planning continues.

An Alaska-branded 737 aircraft starting in October will fly three round trips per day between Honolulu and Kahului, Maui.

The future interisland fleet continues to build on the investments Alaska Airlines have made in Hawai‘i since the two airlines merged, better serving the islands together while honoring and sustaining two strong and beloved brands.

“We fly for Hawai‘i and have the privilege of serving and representing Hawai‘i through the Hawaiian Airlines brand … ,” said Rakow. “Investment in a dedicated Hawaiian Airlines-branded 737-800 fleet is about more than aircraft. It is about protecting the connections that make life possible across the islands and ensuring Hawaiian remains strong for the future.”