Key facts
- Hawaiian Airlines is retiring its fleet of 19 Boeing 717 aircraft.
- The 717s, all over 20 years old, will be replaced by larger Boeing 737 Next Generation jets.
- The capacity increase is intended for short inter-island flights starting in 2028.
- Hawaiian Airlines is suspending service on underperforming routes to Incheon, South Korea; Fukuoka, Japan; and Boston.
- Capacity from suspended routes will be redeployed to boost flights to Sydney, Papeete, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
- Alaska Airlines is leasing four 737 freighters, increasing its fleet from five to nine aircraft in 2028.
Hawaiian Airlines announced plans to retire its fleet of 19 Boeing 717 aircraft, all exceeding 20 years in age, and replace them with larger Boeing 737 Next Generation jets. This strategic shift, set to begin in 2028, aims to address growing demand for inter-island travel by increasing seating capacity. The 737 NGs offer approximately 160 seats, a significant increase from the 128 seats on the retiring 717s, which Hawaiian CEO Diana Birkett Rakow stated is necessary for mid-day flights.
In parallel, Hawaiian Airlines is adjusting its transpacific network by suspending three underperforming routes: Honolulu to Incheon, South Korea; Fukuoka, Japan; and Boston. The airline will redeploy aircraft to bolster service on high-demand routes, including Honolulu to Sydney, Papeete, Los Angeles, and Seattle, and to support its inter-island operations. Hawaiian Airlines CEO Joe Sprague cited soft post-pandemic travel demand from Asia and market challenges as reasons for the route suspensions.
Separately, Alaska Airlines, the parent company of Hawaiian Airlines, announced it is nearly doubling its freighter capacity by leasing four 737 freighters. These aircraft are scheduled to enter service in 2028, expanding Alaska's freighter fleet from five to nine planes.