Key Points

• Alaska Airlines is replacing Hawaiian's aging Boeing 717 fleet with Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s on interisland routes.
• The new planes double first class seating, add over 30 Premium Class seats, and include free Starlink Wi-Fi at every seat.
• A near-term boost starts in October with three daily Honolulu-to-Kahului round-trips, while the full fleet transition runs through 2028.

Introduction

Hawaiian Airlines is finally retiring the workhorse that's carried island hoppers since 2001. Parent company Alaska Airlines announced it's swapping the carrier's Boeing 717s for Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s on interisland routes, and the upgrade is about a lot more than a newer plane. The new jets come with free Starlink Wi-Fi, more premium seats, and a longer list of onboard upgrades that should make short interisland hops feel a lot less basic. For Atmos Rewards members chasing upgrades or booking with points, this is the kind of quiet fleet news that's worth paying attention to. upgradedpoints

What Happened

The Boeing 717 has flown Hawaii's interisland routes since 2001, and the planes are showing their age. Alaska Airlines, which now owns Hawaiian, is bringing in the 737-800 to handle the demanding schedule of short hops, frequent daily cycles, and salt-air conditions that define flying between the islands. The fleet will keep the Hawaiian Airlines brand, stay based in Honolulu, and be flown by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants once the integration wraps up. upgradedpointsupgradedpoints

The full swap won't happen overnight. Alaska plans to begin the full fleet transition in 2028, with more details to come as planning continues. In the meantime, there's a near-term capacity boost: starting in October, one Alaska-branded 737 will operate three daily round-trips between Honolulu and Kahului, flying out of Terminal 1 at Honolulu. upgradedpointsupgradedpoints

This move fits into Alaska Accelerate, the parent company's broader growth plan for both brands. Hawaiian's CEO has framed the investment as a long-term commitment to interisland service as a core part of daily life in the islands, not just an afterthought for tourists.

Why This Matters

The cabin upgrades are where travelers will actually feel the difference. The 737-800 offers twice as many first class seats as the Boeing 717, along with more than 30 additional Premium Class seats. That's meaningful for anyone hoping to snag an upgrade, and it's especially good news for Alaska Mileage Plan members now under the combined Atmos Rewards program, since more premium cabin inventory typically means more award seat availability for points bookings. upgradedpoints

The connectivity upgrade is arguably the bigger deal. Every flight gets fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi, which is a genuine upgrade on routes that have historically offered little to nothing in the way of connectivity. Every seat also picks up a 110V power outlet, USB charging, and a seatback device holder, and travelers will find reclining leather Recaro seats inside. The larger aircraft also offers more cargo capacity, making it easier to accommodate oversized gear like surfboards. upgradedpoints + 2

It's worth noting these interisland flights aren't just for vacationers. This is a combination of improvements on the routes Hawaii residents fly for work, school, family, and medical care, not just the occasional vacation. upgradedpoints

What You Should Do

If you're planning Hawaii travel over the next few years, here's how to think about the rollout:

• Book the October Honolulu-Kahului route if you want the new experience first. With only one 737 flying three daily round-trips initially, seats on the upgraded aircraft will be limited through the early rollout.
• Watch premium cabin award space closely. More first class and Premium Class seats generally translate to better availability for points bookings, so keep an eye on Atmos Rewards inventory as the fleet expands.
• Don't expect the full swap overnight. With the complete transition targeted for 2028, most interisland flights will still run on the Boeing 717 for a while yet.

If you're building a points strategy around Hawaiian Airlines travel, the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard remains one of the more accessible ways to earn miles toward these routes, and its current 80,000-mile welcome offer is worth a look if you fly to the islands regularly. Pairing it with the right Alaska Airlines credit card can help you stack earning across both airline brands now that they share the Atmos Rewards program. If a full island-hopping trip is on your radar, our guide to the best credit cards for Hawaiian vacations breaks down which cards deliver the most value for lodging, activities, and interisland flights together.

FAQ

When will the new planes start flying?

The near-term capacity boost begins in October, with one Alaska-branded 737-800 flying three daily round-trips between Honolulu and Kahului. The full fleet transition is targeted for 2028.

Will Starlink Wi-Fi be free on interisland flights?

Yes. Every flight on the new 737-800 aircraft will include free Starlink Wi-Fi, a first for Hawaiian's interisland routes.

Does this affect Hawaiian's long-haul fleet too?

No, this change is specific to the Boeing 717s used for interisland routes. Hawaiian's Airbus and Boeing 787-9 aircraft used for transpacific flights already have Starlink installed separately.

Conclusion

Hawaii's interisland flights have run on the same aging Boeing 717s for nearly 25 years, and this upgrade is overdue. More first class seats, better award availability potential, free Starlink, and actual power outlets add up to a meaningfully better experience for a route many Hawaii residents fly regularly. The rollout will take years to fully complete, but the October boost is a solid preview of what's coming. If you're planning Hawaii trips or building points toward Atmos Rewards status, this is a fleet story worth watching. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.