Hawaiian and Delta Modernize Fleets by Retiring Boeing 717 Aircraft in Transition to Boeing 737 and Airbus A220 Systems

SEO Title: Airlines Replace Boeing 717 with 737-800 and A220 (2026)
Meta Description: Airlines accelerate the retirement of the Boeing 717, with Hawaiian Airlines transitioning to the Boeing 737-800 and Delta deploying the Airbus A220.
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Standfirst: Commercial airlines are accelerating the retirement of the ageing Boeing 717 fleet in July 2026, transitioning to higher-capacity Boeing 737-800 and highly efficient Airbus A220 platforms to optimize regional networks.

Fleet Simplification Driving Sector Transition

A major fleet modernization cycle is underway in the global aviation sector as operators move to retire the Boeing 717. Originally developed as a high-frequency regional jet, the 717 is facing retirement due to ageing airframes, high cycle counts, and the end of manufacturing support in 2006.

In July 2026, Hawaiian Airlines officially announced plans to phase out its inter-island fleet of 19 Boeing 717s starting in 2028, replacing them with Boeing 737-800 aircraft sourced from its merger partner, Alaska Airlines.

Concurrently, Delta Air Lines is gradually phasing out its remaining 717 fleet in favor of Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 narrow-body aircraft, aiming to lower fuel burn and optimize operational costs.

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Global Fleet Replacement Breakdown

• Hawaiian Airlines: Phasing out 19 Boeing 717s (128 seats) from 2028, deploying larger Boeing 737-800 jets (160 seats) on high-frequency inter-island routes.
• Delta Air Lines: The world's largest remaining operator of the 717 is gradually replacing them with A220 variants through the late 2020s.
• QantasLink (Australia): Fully retired its 20 Boeing 717 jets in 2024, completing its fleet renewal under Project Winton using Airbus A220-300 aircraft.
• Volotea (Spain): Switched its regional European network entirely from the 717 to Airbus A319/A320 aircraft.

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Passenger Rights & Advisory (Information Gain)

As carriers transition fleets, flight schedules on regional routes are subject to adjustments. Travelers should remain aware of their booking protections under relevant regulatory frameworks:

• Schedule Changes and Rebooking: If an airline changes the aircraft operating a route, causing schedule changes or cancellations, under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, passengers are entitled to free rebooking onto another flight or a full cash refund if they choose to cancel.
• Seating Configurations: The shift from a 128-seat Boeing 717 to a larger 160-seat Boeing 737-800 alters seat maps. Passengers with paid seat selections should monitor their bookings to ensure premium seating layouts are preserved.
• Baggage and Cabin Space: Newer aircraft like the Airbus A220 feature significantly larger overhead bins compared to the Boeing 717, minimizing the need for gate-checking carry-on bags.

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Industry Analyst View

Our analysis indicates that the Boeing 717's departure marks the end of the dedicated 100-seat regional jet class among major mainline carriers.

By adopting larger narrow-body systems like the Boeing 737-800 and the Airbus A220, airlines are simplifying maintenance operations, lowering emissions, and increasing cargo-carrying capacity. However, managing the additional seat inventory on short, high-frequency routes will require disciplined pricing strategies.

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Data Tables

1. Status of Global Boeing 717 Replacement Programs (July 2026)

Airline operator	Country	Boeing 717 Fleet Status	Chosen Replacement Aircraft	Program Transition Status
Delta Air Lines	United States	Fleet retirement underway	Airbus A220-100 & A220-300	Gradual phase-out through late 2020s
Hawaiian Airlines	United States	19 aircraft to retire from 2028	Boeing 737-800 / 737 NG	Announced July 2026 following merger
QantasLink	Australia	Fleet retired in 2024	Airbus A220-300	Transition completed under Project Winton
Volotea	Spain	Fleet retired in 2021	Airbus A319	Switched to all-Airbus fleet
Blue1	Finland	Phased out in 2015	Boeing 737-600 / CRJ900	Switched during SAS restructuring
AirTran Airways	United States	Fleet transferred	Boeing 737-700 / 717 to Delta	Southwest merger integration
Bangkok Airways	Thailand	Fleet retired	Airbus A319 / A320	Fleet modernization completed
Turkmenistan Airlines	Turkmenistan	Retired in 2018	Boeing 737NG family	Fleet renewal completed

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Key Takeaways

• Boeing 717 Phase-out: Airlines are accelerating the retirement of the Boeing 717 due to age and maintenance costs.
• Hawaiian Shift: Hawaiian Airlines will replace its 19 inter-island 717s with larger Boeing 737-800 jets from 2028.
• Airbus A220 Dominance: The Airbus A220 has emerged as the primary 100-160 seat successor for QantasLink and Delta.
• Capacity Increase: Transitioning from the 717 to the 737-800 raises capacity from 128 to 160 seats on short-haul corridors.

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FAQ

Why are airlines retiring the Boeing 717?

Airlines are retiring the Boeing 717 because the aircraft family ended production in 2006, leading to high maintenance costs, lack of manufacturing support, and inferior fuel efficiency compared to modern aircraft.

What aircraft is replacing the Hawaiian Airlines Boeing 717 fleet?

Hawaiian Airlines is replacing its 19 Boeing 717 regional jets with Boeing 737-800 aircraft beginning in 2028, increasing passenger capacity from 128 to 160 seats per flight.

Is the Airbus A220 a direct replacement for the Boeing 717?

Yes, the Airbus A220-100 and A220-300 are the closest modern equivalents to the Boeing 717, offering similar seating capacity alongside a 25% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

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