Alaska picks plane to replace its retiring Hawaiian Airlines-branded fleet

Alaska Airlines has announced a strategic fleet transition to replace the retiring Hawaiian Airlines-branded aircraft used for inter-island flight services. According to reports from FlightGlobal and Big Island Now, the carrier will replace the outgoing Boeing 717s with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This transition involves a shift in the specific aircraft models utilized for travel between the Hawaiian islands, ensuring that the retiring 717 fleet is succeeded by the 737-800 model to maintain operational continuity in the region. Coverage from The Points Guy, FlightGlobal, and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser emphasizes the phasing out of the Boeing 717s. Specifically, The Points Guy focuses on the removal of these jets from inter-island routes.

Meanwhile, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that this fleet transition is occurring alongside a broader expansion of cargo capabilities. The Seattle Times further details that Alaska Airlines has selected the 737-800 as the specific plane to fill the gap left by the retiring Hawaiian Airlines-branded fleet, marking a clear shift in the airline's regional hardware strategy. Contextual details provided by Alaska Airlines and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser indicate that this move is tied to an expansion of the company's logistics reach. Alaska Airlines, Inc. stated that it is doubling its cargo capacity through the addition of four freighters. This simultaneous increase in cargo capacity and the updating of the inter-island passenger fleet suggests a comprehensive overhaul of their Hawaiian operations.

The transition from the smaller 717s to the 737-800s represents a change in the primary aircraft type used for these specific short-haul island hops. Future developments to watch include the deployment of the four new freighters as part of the capacity doubling mentioned by Alaska Airlines. Observers will likely track the timeline for the complete phasing out of the Boeing 717s, as noted by The Points Guy. Based on the reports from FlightGlobal and Big Island Now, the focus will remain on the integration of the Boeing 737-800s into the inter-island rotation. The coverage establishes that the primary shift is the replacement of the retiring fleet and the concurrent expansion of cargo services.