Alaska Airlines Hawaii Interisland Fleet: New Routes, 737 Upgrade & 2026 Changes 

Alaska Air Group announced on July 22, 2026, that Hawaiian Airlines will replace its aging Boeing 717 fleet with Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s on all interisland routes. The new aircraft bring free Starlink Wi-Fi, twice as many First Class seats, larger overhead bins, in-seat power, and reclining leather Recaro seats. A near-term capacity boost on HNL–OGG begins in October 2026, with the full fleet transition targeting 2028.

Hawaii’s interisland routes have run on the same Boeing 717s since 2001. For nearly 25 years, the workhorse narrowbody has carried residents between islands for work, school, medical appointments, and family visits short hops of 20 to 45 minutes that look deceptively simple but are operationally demanding. Now, those planes are finally retiring.

On July 22, 2026, Alaska Air Group announced that Hawaiian Airlines will replace its entire interisland fleet with Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s. The upgrade is substantial: free Starlink Wi-Fi (a first for Hawaiian’s interisland routes), doubled First Class capacity, larger overhead bins, in-seat power at every seat, and reclining leather Recaro seats throughout the cabin. For the millions of residents and tourists who fly between the islands each year, this is the most significant cabin improvement in a generation.

What Planes Does Hawaiian Airlines Fly on Interisland Routes?

Hawaiian Airlines currently operates the Boeing 717-200 on all interisland (Neighbor Island) routes. The 717 seats 128 passengers in a three-cabin configuration: 8 First Class, 17 Extra Comfort, and 103 Main Cabin seats. These aircraft average 24.2 years in age as of July 2026 among the oldest in the Alaska Air Group fleet and are being retired entirely in favor of the Boeing 737-800.

The 737-800 seats 161 passengers with a significantly upgraded layout: 16 First Class, 36 Premium Class, and 109 Main Cabin seats.

The 717 was never designed with free connectivity in mind. It offers no in-seat power, no Wi-Fi, and limited overhead bin space shortcomings that have become increasingly obvious as passenger expectations have evolved.

What Are the Major Upgrades on the New Hawaiian Airlines 737-800?

The Boeing 737-800 brings a fundamentally different cabin experience to interisland flying. Key improvements confirmed by Alaska Air Group include:

• Free Starlink Wi-Fi on every flight the first time Hawaiian has offered complimentary in-flight connectivity on interisland routes
• Twice as many First Class seats (16 vs. 8 on the 717)
• 30+ additional Premium Class seats (36 vs. 17 on the 717)
• Larger overhead bin storage, reducing the frequency of gate-checked bags on busy flights
• Reclining leather Recaro seats throughout all cabin classes
• 110V power outlets, USB-A and USB-C charging, and seatback device holders at every seat
• More cargo space for oversized items, including surfboards

For Hawaii residents who fly interisland multiple times a week, the power outlet and Wi-Fi combination alone represents a meaningful quality-of-life improvement on routes that previously offered nothing in the way of connectivity.

Which Interisland Routes Will Be Affected?

The fleet upgrade covers all of Hawaiian Airlines’ core Neighbor Island routes, which connect Honolulu (HNL) to the four major island airports:

Hawaiian also operates less frequent service on OGG–KOA, OGG–LIH, and KOA–LIH. On the busiest route HNL to OGG Hawaiian currently runs 19 daily flights. The transition to the larger 737-800 will add capacity on these flights, particularly during the high-demand summer midday bank when both tourism and resident travel peak simultaneously.

What Is the Timeline for the Fleet Transition?

The rollout happens in two phases:

Phase 1  October 2026: One Alaska-branded Boeing 737 begins flying three daily round trips between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG). This aircraft operates from Terminal 1 at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It’s an Alaska-branded plane, not yet Hawaiian-branded, and serves as a near-term capacity supplement while the full transition is planned.

Phase 2  2028: The full fleet transition to Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s begins. These aircraft will be Honolulu-based and crewed exclusively by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants.

The 19 Boeing 717s still operating today will remain in service until the transition is complete.

What Airlines Fly Interisland in Hawaii?

Two airlines currently operate scheduled interisland service in Hawaii: Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines. No other carrier operates a meaningful scheduled interisland network.

• Hawaiian Airlines dominates with significantly more daily frequencies. On HNL–OGG alone, Hawaiian flies 19 times daily versus Southwest’s 8.
• Southwest Airlines entered the interisland market in April 2019 and currently operates approximately 50 daily interisland flights, using Boeing 737 MAX aircraft flowed from the mainland rather than a dedicated interisland fleet.

Does United fly interisland Hawaii? No. United Airlines operates transpacific routes from the US mainland to Hawaii but does not offer interisland service between Hawaiian airports. Interisland flying remains exclusive to Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest Airlines among major carriers.

How Does Hawaiian Airlines’ Upgrade Compare to Southwest’s Interisland Service?

This is a content gap most competitor articles miss entirely. Southwest and Hawaiian share nearly identical route networks between the islands, but the onboard product is very different and the gap is about to widen significantly.

Southwest’s interisland advantage is price fares starting at $29 one-way are hard to beat. But Hawaiian’s new 737-800 product will offer a meaningfully better onboard experience: free Wi-Fi, a proper First and Premium cabin, power at every seat, and leather seats throughout. For Atmos Rewards members chasing status or upgrades, the additional premium inventory on the 737-800 also creates more award availability on interisland flights.

Southwest’s interisland operation also uses a “flow-through” model aircraft rotate from the mainland into interisland service and back out. Hawaiian’s 737-800 fleet will be dedicated and Honolulu-based, which supports more predictable scheduling and maintenance continuity in the islands’ demanding salt-air environment.

Does Alaska Airlines Fly Interisland in Hawaii?

Alaska Airlines does not operate its own interisland service under the Alaska brand Hawaiian Airlines handles all Neighbor Island flying within Hawaii. However, Alaska Air Group owns both carriers, and the October 2026 near-term supplement on HNL–OGG will be an Alaska-branded 737 operating three daily round trips out of Terminal 1. Once the full Hawaiian-branded 737-800 fleet launches in 2028, all interisland flying will revert to the Hawaiian brand exclusively.

Alaska Airlines operates extensive mainland-to-Hawaii routes, including nonstop service from Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and other west coast cities to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, Lihue, and Hilo.

Does Alaska Airlines Use Hawaiian Airlines Planes?

Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines maintain separate branded fleets. The two carriers operate independently under the Alaska Air Group umbrella, each using their own aircraft with their own branding. Alaska Airlines does not use Hawaiian Airlines’ 717s for its mainland routes, and Hawaiian Airlines does not use Alaska’s 737-900ERs or 737 MAXs for interisland service. The new interisland 737-800s will be Hawaiian-branded, crewed by Honolulu-based staff, and dedicated to Neighbor Island flying.

How Big Is the Alaska Airlines Fleet?

Alaska Air Group maintains a combined fleet of over 420 aircraft across Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Horizon Air, and SkyWest (which operates under contract). As of July 2026, the fleet breakdown is:

The Boeing 737-800 is already well-represented in the combined fleet with 59 aircraft, which supports type commonality and maintenance efficiency as the interisland transition scales up. The 19 Boeing 717s all dedicated to Hawaiian’s interisland operation represent the oldest aircraft in the group by a significant margin, averaging 24.2 years.

What Are the Hawaiian Airlines 787 Routes?

Hawaiian Airlines operates the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner exclusively on long-haul transpacific routes not interisland. The 787-9 seats 300 passengers (34 Business Class/79 Extra Comfort/187 Main Cabin) and already features Starlink Wi-Fi. Hawaiian’s 787-9 serves routes connecting Honolulu to destinations including Boston, New York, Tokyo, Seoul, and Sydney, among others. The aircraft is well-suited for ultra-long-haul flying and is entirely separate from the interisland operation.

The interisland fleet (717, transitioning to 737-800) and the transpacific fleet (787-9, A330) serve completely different markets and customer segments.

What Does the Alaska-Hawaiian Merger Mean for Interisland Passengers?

Alaska Air Group acquired Hawaiian Airlines on September 18, 2024, for approximately $1.9 billion (including $900 million in Hawaiian’s net debt). The two brands are being maintained separately. Both carriers are now members of the oneworld alliance.

Key integration milestones relevant to interisland passengers:

• Atmos Rewards launched August 20, 2025 Alaska’s Mileage Plan and Hawaiian’s HawaiianMiles unified into one program
• HawaiianMiles transitioned into Atmos Rewards on October 1, 2025 (1-for-1 conversion, no miles lost)
• ~2.1 million active HawaiianMiles members were migrated into Atmos Rewards
• A single FAA operating certificate for both carriers is still pending as of mid-2026
• The fleet upgrade is part of Alaska Accelerate, the parent company’s strategic growth plan

Diana Birkett Rakow, CEO of Hawaiian Airlines, framed the 737-800 investment as a long-term commitment: “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 Hawai’i for nearly a century.”

How Do Atmos Rewards and HawaiianMiles Work Now?

Atmos Rewards is the unified loyalty program replacing both Alaska Mileage Plan and HawaiianMiles as of October 1, 2025. For interisland travelers, here’s what changed:

• Miles converted 1-for-1 into Atmos Rewards Points (no devaluation)
• Points never expire
• Elite members receive complimentary First Class upgrades on all Neighbor Island flights
• Starting in 2026, members choose one earning method annually:
  • Distance: 1 point per mile flown
  • Price: 5 points per $1 spent on airfare and upgrades
  • Segments: 500 points per flight segment
• Points are redeemable on Alaska, Hawaiian, and 30+ global partners covering 1,000+ destinations
• Credit cards: Alaska Airlines Visa cards rebranded as Atmos Rewards Visa; Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard retains its name and benefits

The addition of more First Class and Premium Class seats on the 737-800 directly benefits Atmos Rewards members more premium inventory typically translates to better upgrade availability and more award seats on interisland routes.

Traveler Tips: How to Make the Most of the New Fleet

Book HNL–OGG this October. The Alaska-branded 737 running three daily round trips from Terminal 1 is your earliest chance to experience the new aircraft on an interisland route. Seat selection will matter check in early.

Watch premium award space. The 737-800 doubles First Class seats versus the 717. As inventory grows, interisland award availability through Atmos Rewards should improve. Set alerts if your preferred dates are currently showing sold-out premium cabins.

Pack carry-on, not checked bags. Larger overhead bins on the 737-800 mean fewer gate-check situations on busy morning and afternoon banks. This matters most on peak summer travel days when HNL–OGG midday flights frequently fill.

Use the free Starlink Wi-Fi productively. Interisland flights are short 20 to 45 minutes gate-to-gate but Starlink’s low-latency connection is fast enough to send emails, join a quick call, or stream during boarding. It’s a genuine upgrade over having nothing at all.

Plan for 2028 for the full experience. The complete Hawaiian-branded 737-800 fleet won’t be in service until 2028. If you’re traveling before then, check which aircraft is assigned to your specific flight some will still operate on 717s.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new Hawaiian Airlines 737-800 start flying interisland?
A near-term supplement begins in October 2026, with one Alaska-branded 737 flying three daily HNL–OGG round trips from Terminal 1 at Honolulu. The full Hawaiian-branded 737-800 fleet transition starts in 2028.

Is Starlink Wi-Fi really free on all Hawaiian interisland flights?
Yes. Every flight on the new Boeing 737-800 aircraft both the October 2026 supplement and the future Hawaiian-branded fleet includes free Starlink Wi-Fi. This is the first time complimentary connectivity has been offered on Hawaiian’s interisland routes.

How many First Class seats does the new 737-800 have?
The Boeing 737-800 configured for Hawaiian interisland service has 16 First Class seats exactly double the 8 seats available on the current Boeing 717-200.

Will the 717s be retired completely?
Yes. The 19 Boeing 717-200s currently in the Hawaiian fleet will be fully retired as the 737-800 transition completes. No specific per-aircraft retirement schedule has been announced, but the goal is a full swap by 2028.

Can I earn Atmos Rewards points on interisland flights?
Yes. All Hawaiian Airlines flights, including interisland routes, earn Atmos Rewards points. Elite members also receive complimentary First Class upgrades on all Neighbor Island flights under the current Atmos Rewards program structure.

Does the baggage policy change with the new aircraft?
No formal baggage policy changes have been announced. However, the larger overhead bin storage on the 737-800 (compared to the 717) means fewer carry-on bags will need to be gate-checked on full flights, which is a practical improvement for passengers.

Will the 737-800 also fly transpacific Hawaii routes?
The 737-800 is configured for Neighbor Island flying only. Hawaiian Airlines uses the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and Airbus A330 for transpacific routes. The 787-9 already features Starlink Wi-Fi separately.

Why did Alaska Air Group choose the 737-800 instead of the newer 737 MAX?
The 737-800 was selected for its proven durability in high-cycle, salt-air environments conditions that are especially harsh on aircraft engines and airframes. Interisland routes involve dozens of short cycles daily, which is more demanding operationally than long-haul flying. The 737-800’s track record in these conditions made it the more reliable choice for a dedicated interisland fleet.

How does HawaiianMiles convert to Atmos Rewards?
HawaiianMiles converted at a 1-for-1 ratio to Atmos Rewards Points on October 1, 2025. No miles were lost in the conversion, and Atmos Rewards Points do not expire. Approximately 2.1 million active HawaiianMiles members were migrated automatically.

Is the new interisland 737-800 a different aircraft from what Alaska flies on the mainland?
The Boeing 737-800 is already part of Alaska Air Group’s broader fleet 59 are currently in service as of July 2026. However, the interisland 737-800s will carry the Hawaiian Airlines brand, be based in Honolulu, and be crewed exclusively by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants. They are operationally distinct from Alaska-branded 737s, even if the aircraft type is the same.