Hawaiian Airlines will replace its aging Boeing 717-200 inter-island fleet with repurposed Boeing 737-800 aircraft branded for the carrier.
The transition modernizes the fleet for routes between Hawaii's islands, increasing both passenger and cargo capacity while introducing updated interior amenities for travelers.
Alaska Air Group said it plans to strengthen Hawaiian Airlines' neighbor-island service. The move targets the replacement of the older 717 jets with the larger 737-800 model to improve the overall guest experience. New aircraft will feature premium interiors and free Starlink Wi-Fi.
The shift will impact logistics for the region. Cargo capacity is expected to nearly double by 2027 [2]. This expansion aims to support the movement of goods between the islands more efficiently.
Operational timelines for the rollout vary across reports. One initial Boeing 737 is scheduled to begin service in October, making three round trips daily between Honolulu and Kahului [3]. However, other reports indicate the broader fleet transition is slated to begin in 2028 [1].
The 737-800s will be repurposed from Alaska Airlines' existing fleet and repainted in Hawaiian Airlines livery. This strategy allows the company to scale up its capacity without the lead times associated with ordering entirely new aircraft from the manufacturer.
Routes primarily between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG) will be the first to see the larger jets. The increased seat count per flight will allow the carrier to manage higher passenger volumes on these high-traffic corridors.
“Hawaiian Airlines will replace its aging Boeing 717-200 inter-island fleet with repurposed Boeing 737-800 aircraft.”
The integration of Alaska Air Group's fleet assets into Hawaiian Airlines' regional operations signals a deeper operational merger. By replacing the specialized but aging 717s with the more versatile 737-800, the carrier is prioritizing scalability and cargo throughput—essential for the inter-island supply chain—while leveraging existing aircraft to avoid the current industry-wide delays in new plane deliveries.
