July 21, 2026 • 5 min read Jump to section Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Alaska Airlines is planning to send some Boeing 737s to Hawaii with a new paint job and a new mission: flying between the Hawaiian islands.
Alaska Air Group on Tuesday announced plans to replace Hawaiian Airlines' aging fleet of Boeing 717s with Alaska's 737-800s.
Those larger Boeing jets will get refreshed and repainted in Hawaiian livery before making the trek to Hawaii, the company said.
The transition is expected to begin in 2028.
Hawaiian has flown the Boeing 717 for decades on its inter-island flights.
Today, the carrier uses the jet on up to 160 daily flights between five major airports in the Aloha State: Honolulu, Maui, Lihue, Kona and Hilo.
But those planes are getting older; on average, the aircraft are about 25 years old, according to AirFleets.
After Alaska acquired Hawaiian in 2024 , one of the things on its long-term "to-do" list was to figure out what planes it would use for critical neighbor island flying in the future.
Now, the plan is set: Hawaii residents and visitors can expect to see the larger Boeing 737s on short hops between the state's islands within the next couple of years.
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It'll give Hawaiian more seats — and roughly double the number of premium seats — for its island-hopping service in the future.
First-class 8 seats 16 seats Premium (extra legroom) 17 seats 36 seats Economy 98 seats 109 seats Total 123-128 seats, depending on the aircraft 161 seats SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY Each of the 737s will have Starlink Wi-Fi. Alaska also noted in a statement that the jets will have more cargo space for surf boards.
"This decision reflects our commitment to invest in Hawai'i for the long term, to strengthen Hawaiian Airlines and to honor the local expertise, culture and care that have made Hawaiian the airline of Hawaii for nearly a century," CEO Diana Birkett Rakao said Tuesday.
Beyond 'visual expression': Alaska's plans for the Hawaiian Airlines brand
While the official switchover from Hawaiian 717s to Hawaiian-painted 737s won't begin until 2028, you'll see the larger aircraft in the Aloha State sooner.
In fact, Alaska plans to base a 737-800 in Honolulu starting in October for three daily round-trips between Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Maui's Kahului Airport (OGG).
Beyond that, Alaska plans to eventually all of the 737s it flies between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii to eventually sport the Hawaiian livery. The idea is, if you're flying to Hawaii, from Hawaii or within the state, you'll be on a plane that has the Hawaiian brand.
This is just…