Alaska Air Group plans to redeploy some of its Boeing 737-800s to Hawaii, repainting them in Hawaiian Airlines colors and assigning them to short-haul neighbor-island service. The move is intended to replace Hawaiian’s aging fleet of Boeing 717s on inter-island routes and is part of the post-merger fleet reshuffle since Alaska acquired Hawaiian in 2024.
Why the change
Hawaiian has relied on the Boeing 717 for decades on its neighbor-island network. Those aircraft currently operate as many as 160 daily flights connecting the state’s five main airports — Honolulu, Kahului (Maui), Lihue (Kauai), Kona and Hilo — but the fleet is getting old: AirFleets reports the 717s average roughly 25 years in service. Alaska determined a long-term plan was needed to keep inter-island flying reliable and to modernize the product.
What’s coming and when
Alaska says the formal replacement program — shifting Hawaiian’s 717 flying to Hawaiian-liveried 737-800s — will begin in 2028. However, travelers will see 737s in Hawaii sooner: Alaska will base a 737-800 in Honolulu starting in October 2026 and use it on three daily round trips between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Kahului Airport (OGG).
Configuration and onboard features
The 737-800s assigned to these duties will carry more passengers and offer significantly more premium seating than the 717s. Typical seating comparisons cited are:
– Boeing 717: about 123–128 seats total (roughly 8 first-class, 17 premium/extra-legroom, ~98 economy)
– Boeing 737-800: about 161 seats total (roughly 16 first-class, 36 premium/extra-legroom, 109 economy)
Alaska also says the 737s will be equipped with Starlink Wi‑Fi and will provide more cargo space for oversized items such as surfboards — a practical benefit for island travelers.
Branding and network notes
Beyond replacing the 717s, Alaska plans for many of its 737s that operate between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii to eventually wear Hawaiian livery. The idea is that whether you’re flying to, from or within Hawaii, you’ll often be on an aircraft carrying the Hawaiian brand.
Post-merger fleet moves
This reallocation is one piece of a larger fleet strategy after the Alaska–Hawaiian merger. Alaska has already redeployed the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners that Hawaiian had on order to long-haul routes from Seattle to Europe and Asia. Hawaiian’s twin-aisle Airbus A330s are slated for upcoming retrofits to add modern business-class seats and a premium economy cabin.
Alaska is also investing in future growth: the airline placed an order for 105 Boeing 737 MAX 10s earlier this year and expects to expand its fleet roughly 33% between now and 2035.
How many 737s will move to inter-island flying?
Alaska has not provided a firm count of how many 737s it will designate for neighbor-island service. Hawaiian currently operates about 20 717s on those routes, so the task will require a meaningful reallocation of aircraft and resources. CEO Diana Birkett Rakao framed the plan as a long-term commitment to Hawaii, saying it reflects investment in the islands and an effort to preserve Hawaiian’s local expertise and cultural identity.
Bottom line
Passengers can expect larger, Wi‑Fi-equipped 737s in Hawaiian colors on inter-island hops in the coming years, with an initial Honolulu-based 737 in service in late 2026 and a broader transition beginning in 2028. Details on the exact number of aircraft and the full rollout schedule remain to be announced.
