Hawaiian Airlines will retire its aging fleet of Boeing 717-200 twinjets, replacing the regional aircraft with Boeing 737-800s inherited from parent company Alaska Air Group. The fleet overhaul officially begins in 2028, though a transitional single-plane service between Honolulu and Kahului launches this October. The incoming 737-800 airframes boast a younger average age and higher structural durability suited for the demanding high-cycle rotations required across the islands.

The current Hawaiian 717 fleet operated by Alaska Airlines averages 24.5 years in service, whereas the incoming 737-800 models average 18.3 years. These replacement jets expand capacity significantly, moving from 128 seats on the older twinjets to 161 seats per flight. Premium capacity doubles from eight to 16 first-class seats, while economy introduces 30 extra-legroom seats. Alaska plans to base a dedicated sub-fleet in the islands operated by local Hawaiian pilots and cabin crews, incorporating Starlink Wi-Fi and expanded baggage holds designed specifically for oversized sporting gear like surfboards.

What This Means for American Travelers to Hawaiian Airlines

Americans traveling to Hawaiian Airlines will encounter a vastly different onboard product when island-hopping between destinations like Oahu and Maui. The larger aircraft cabins alleviate notorious regional seat bottlenecks, providing 25 percent more passenger capacity per rotation. Travelers paying for premium tiers secure enhanced legroom and double the first-class inventory previously available on the tight 717 schedules. Faster connectivity via free Starlink Wi-Fi rolls out across the sub-fleet, improving digital access during short inter-island hops. Baggage logistics also improve for US tourists bringing bulky recreational equipment, as the 737 cargo holds accommodate surfboards far more efficiently than the older regional jets.

Travel Tips for Americans Visiting Hawaiian Airlines

• Book early for peak inter-island departures, as schedule adjustments during the transition phase may constrain available flight frequencies.
• Utilize the expanded first-class and premium economy cabins on the new 737-800 routes for superior legroom on short hops.
• Register bulky sporting gear like surfboards ahead of departure to leverage the increased cargo capacity built into the incoming aircraft configuration.

American travelers should check the latest U.S. State Department travel advisory for Hawaiian Airlines before booking.

Photo by Josh Withers on Pexels

Source: Simple Flying