en.Wedoany.com Reported - Alaska Air Group has decided to replace the Boeing 717-200 fleet operating Hawaiian Airlines' interisland routes with Boeing 737-800s drawn from Alaska's existing fleet, requiring no new aircraft purchases. In a statement, the group said the fleet transition is scheduled to begin in 2028, bringing reliable aircraft equipped with premium interiors and fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi to interisland services.

Alaska Airlines emphasized that the 737-800 is well-suited for the high-frequency, short-turnaround nature of interisland flights, with airframe and engines capable of withstanding high cycle usage, while offering passengers more cargo space for surfboards. The 19 Boeing 717-200s currently registered under the Hawaiian Airlines brand have an average age of 24.5 years, while the 59 737-800s planned for transfer to Hawaii average 18.3 years—younger and with greater passenger capacity. A comparison of the two models shows the 737-800 has a total of 161 seats, 25.78% more than the 717-200's 128; first-class seats increase from 8 to 16, with 30 new premium economy seats (offering extra legroom), and 115 economy seats (compared to 120 on the 717-200). Hawaiian Airlines CEO Diana Birkett Rakow stated that this decision reflects a commitment to long-term investment in Hawaii, strengthening Hawaiian Airlines, and honoring the local expertise, culture, and care that have made Hawaiian Airlines the airline of Hawaii for nearly a century.

Before the full transition in 2028, Alaska Airlines will begin operating three daily round trips between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG) starting this October using one Alaska-branded 737 aircraft to meet short-term demand. According to flight schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium, Hawaiian Airlines' Boeing 717-200s are scheduled for 4,264 flights in July, with approximately 562 flights in each direction on the Honolulu to Kahului route—16 to 19 round trips daily over a distance of just 101 miles (162.5 km). Other key destinations include Lihue (LIH) (514 round trips in July), Kona (KOA) (548), and Hilo (ITO) (364). Additionally, the airline operates three daily round trips from Kahului to Kona and Lihue using the 717-200, along with daily flights from Kona to Lihue. The Hilo to Kahului route has the lowest frequency, with 27 round trips this month, averaging four per week.