Hawaiian Airlines plans to begin replacing Boeing 717s with Boeing 737-800s on inter-island routes in 2028, Alaska Airlines announced. The company has not disclosed when the transition will end or how many aircraft it will involve.
The future 737-800 fleet will retain Hawaiian Airlines branding and be based in Honolulu. Once integrated, the aircraft will be operated by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants.
The airline says the jets will have twice as many First Class seats and more than 30 Premium Class seats. Cabins will also feature Starlink Wi‑Fi, in-seat power and USB ports, and larger overhead bins capable of holding items including surfboards.
Before the main replacement begins, one Alaska Airlines-branded Boeing 737 is scheduled to operate three daily round trips between Honolulu and Kahului starting in October.
The decision applies specifically to Hawaiian Airlines’ fleet. It does not mean every Boeing 717 operated by other airlines will leave service, and the transition is only expected to begin in 2028.
