Hawaiian Airlines to Replace Boeing 717 Fleet with Boeing 737-800s for Interisland Flights Starting 2028

SEO Title: Hawaiian Airlines Upgrades Interisland Fleet to Boeing 737-800
Meta Description: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines will replace aging Boeing 717 interisland jets with Boeing 737-800s featuring Starlink Wi-Fi and expanded seating starting in 2028.
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Standfirst: Following its combination with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines will replace its long-serving Boeing 717 interisland fleet with modern Boeing 737-800 aircraft starting in 2028, introducing Starlink Wi-Fi and expanded cabin seating.

Article

Hawaiian Airlines is preparing for a major modernization of its interisland network by replacing its fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft with larger Boeing 737-800 jets. Led by parent company Alaska Airlines, the fleet transition will begin in 2028, bringing expanded seating, enhanced cabin amenities, and increased cargo capacity to Hawaii’s essential air links.

Interisland flights serve as vital transport corridors across the Hawaiian archipelago, connecting residents for medical care, education, and commerce while transferring millions of island-hopping tourists annually. The introduction of the Boeing 737-800 addresses long-term schedule reliability and passenger demand across the Pacific state.

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Enhanced Passenger Comfort and Starlink Wi-Fi Upgrades

The transition to the Boeing 737-800 introduces significant passenger experience upgrades over the retiring 128-seat Boeing 717 fleet. Travelers flying between Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island will gain access to modern cabin features tailored for leisure and business trips.

Key interior enhancements include:

• Expanded Premium Cabins: Increased First Class and Premium Class seating capacity.
• High-Speed Connectivity: Free high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi installed across the interisland fleet.
• Modern Ergonomics: Reclining leather seats featuring personal device holders and power outlets at every seat.
• Expanded Storage: Larger overhead bins capable of accommodating carry-on bags and specialized sports equipment such as surfboards.

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Interim Flight Expansion Begins October 2026

Ahead of the full 2028 fleet replacement rollout, Alaska Airlines will bolster interisland passenger capacity starting in October 2026. The carrier will deploy Boeing 737 aircraft on additional daily round-trip flights connecting Honolulu (HNL) on Oahu with Kahului (OGG) on Maui.

This interim service expansion addresses surging passenger demand along Hawaii's busiest air corridor. The aircraft will be home-based in Honolulu, operated by Hawaii-based flight attendants and pilots maintaining the Hawaiian Airlines brand identity.

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Strategic Impact on Hawaii Tourism and Community Mobility

Replacing aging regional jets with larger narrow-body aircraft strengthens island connectivity while supporting local economic development across neighbor islands. The additional seating capacity allows tourism benefits to spread beyond Oahu into secondary island destinations.

For local residents reliant on daily interisland flights, the Boeing 737-800 fleet offers higher schedule reliability and improved baggage handling. Hawaiian Airlines will retain its cultural heritage and brand branding across all interisland operations.

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Fleet Transition Summary

Fleet Category	Legacy Equipment (Retiring)	Next-Generation Fleet (2028)
Aircraft Model	Boeing 717	Boeing 737-800
In-Flight Connectivity	None / Limited	Free High-Speed Starlink Wi-Fi
Cabin Seating Configuration	Standard Regional Seats	Expanded First Class & Premium Class
In-Seat Amenities	Basic Cabin	Reclining Leather Seats, Power Outlets, Device Holders
Luggage & Cargo Capacity	Standard Bins	Extra-Large Overhead Bins for Surfboards & Luggage
Interim Schedule Rollout	Standard Fleet Operations	Added 737 HNL-OGG Flights Starting Oct 2026
Crew Base & Brand	Honolulu-based Crews / Hawaiian Brand	Honolulu-based Crews / Hawaiian Brand

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Key Takeaways

• Boeing 717 Fleet Replacement: Hawaiian Airlines will phase out its Boeing 717 fleet in favor of larger Boeing 737-800 aircraft starting in 2028.
• Cabin Infrastructure Upgrades: The new fleet will feature free Starlink Wi-Fi, expanded First Class seating, in-seat power, and larger storage for surfboards.
• Interim Capacity Increase: Alaska Airlines will add Boeing 737 daily flights between Honolulu and Kahului beginning in October 2026.
• Local Workforce Preservation: The new 737-800 fleet will remain based in Honolulu, operated by Hawaii-based pilots and crew under the Hawaiian Airlines brand.

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FAQ

When will Hawaiian Airlines start replacing its Boeing 717 aircraft?

The full transition from Boeing 717s to Boeing 737-800 aircraft is scheduled to begin in 2028.

Will Hawaiian Airlines introduce Wi-Fi on interisland flights?

Yes. The incoming Boeing 737-800 fleet will feature free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi for all passengers flying between the Hawaiian islands.

What temporary changes are happening before 2028?

Beginning in October 2026, Alaska Airlines will introduce Boeing 737 service to operate additional daily flights between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG) to boost seat capacity.