Hawaiian Boeing 717 vs 737-800: What Changes in 2028
⏱ 8 min read · Updated July 2026
Quick overview
- Alaska Air Group confirmed on July 21, 2026 that Hawaiian’s Boeing 717 interisland fleet will be replaced by Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s, with the transition starting in 2028.
- The new 737-800 doubles First Class from 8 to 16 seats, adds more than 30 Premium Class seats, and brings free Starlink Wi-Fi, power at every seat, and Recaro leather seats.
- The catch: the 717’s beloved two-seat side goes away. The 737-800 flies a standard 3-3 layout, so there is a middle seat on both sides of every economy row.
- Bigger plane, more seats per flight (about 161 vs 128), which raises the open question of whether some departures get consolidated later.
- For points people, the upside is real: twice the First Class and a new Premium Class cabin means more upgrade and award space to aim your Atmos Rewards and flexible bank points at.
In this article
Editorial note: This is a news and analysis piece for kamaʻāina travelers. HRT does not earn a commission on this article. Program details are current as of July 2026 and will be refreshed as Alaska and Hawaiian release more.
If you have flown between the islands in the last 20-plus years, you have flown the Boeing 717. That funny little T-tail jet with the two-seat side has basically been interisland travel for our families. Well, we finally have an answer on what replaces it, and it is a big one.
What exactly is changing on interisland flights?
Alaska Air Group confirmed on July 21, 2026 that Hawaiian’s aging Boeing 717 fleet will be replaced by Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with the transition set to begin in 2028. Rather than buying a brand-new plane type, Alaska is moving 737-800s it already owns into the Hawaiian operation, refreshing the cabins, and repainting them in the Pualani livery.
The part that matters most for us: Hawaiian says these planes stay based in Honolulu and get flown and crewed by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants. After all the merger uncertainty, that is a real commitment to keeping interisland flying local. You can read the full plan straight from the source in the Alaska newsroom announcement and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Good to know
You will see a 737 in the islands before 2028. Starting this October, one Alaska-branded 737-800 begins flying three daily round-trips between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG), operating out of Terminal 1. Think of it as a live test run before the full switch.
Boeing 717 vs 737-800: the side-by-side
Here is the honest trade at a glance. The 737-800 is the more modern, more premium airplane. The 717 has the roomier, quirkier cabin that a lot of us quietly love. Both photos below are the two aircraft types you will be choosing between.
| Feature | Boeing 717 (now) | Boeing 737-800 (2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Total seats | 128 | About 161 |
| First Class | 8 | 16 (double) |
| Premium Class | None | More than 30 seats |
| Economy layout | 2-3 (a full side with no middle) | 3-3 (middle seat both sides) |
| Wi-Fi | None | Free Starlink on all flights |
| Power at seat | None | 110V outlet + USB, every seat |
| Seats | Older cabin | Reclining leather Recaro |
| Cargo / surfboards | Tighter | More room |
| Home base & crews | Honolulu-based | Honolulu-based |
Seat counts reflect Alaska’s existing 737-800 configuration (161 seats) versus Hawaiian’s current 717 (128 seats). Alaska has not published the final cabin map for Hawaiian’s 737-800s, so the exact interisland layout may shift.
Why does losing the two-seat side matter?
Because for a short interisland hop, that two-seat side is the whole experience. The 717 flies a 2-3 layout, which means one entire side of the cabin has no middle seat at all. Couples grab a pair to themselves. A solo traveler picks that side and knows they get a window or aisle, never a middle. A parent and keiki sit together with nobody wedged in beside them.
The 737-800 changes that completely. A standard 3-3 layout puts a middle seat on both sides of every economy row. On a 40-minute flight to Kahului it may not sound like much, and plenty of folks will happily trade it for Wi-Fi and power. But if you have flown these routes for years, you know the two-seat side was never a small thing.
When does this actually happen?
The full fleet transition begins in 2028 and rolls out from there, so nothing changes on your next interisland booking. Before that, the October 2026 Alaska-branded 737 on the Honolulu to Kahului route is the near-term preview. Two honest unknowns remain: Alaska has not said whether bigger planes will eventually mean fewer daily departures, and it has not released the final cabin layout. We will update this piece as those land.
What does this mean for my points and cards?
Here is the upside points people should not miss: doubling First Class and adding a brand-new Premium Class cabin means a lot more premium seats to aim your points and upgrades at on interisland flights. More inventory is more opportunity, both for cash upgrades and for members of Atmos Rewards and Huakaʻi by Hawaiian.
The move I would make now is simple. Keep stacking flexible, transferable points through the right everyday cards so you are positioned to grab those premium interisland seats and upgrades when the new cabins arrive. If you are not sure which card fits how your ʻohana actually spends and travels, start with my rundown of the best cards for Hawaiʻi travelers, and if you want to understand what a premium seat is really worth before you burn points on it, my guide to what your points are actually worth breaks it down. For the full loyalty picture, everything ties back to my Atmos Rewards guide.
Scottie’s Take
I am genuinely torn on this one, and I think that is the honest place to be. The 737-800 is a better airplane in almost every measurable way. Free Starlink on a flight where I am usually racing to answer emails before we land? Yes please. A real Premium Class and double the First Class seats? That is more upgrade love for those of us flying these routes constantly.
But I would be lying if I said the two-seat side does not sting. There is something special about that quirky little 717 cabin, and once the middle seat shows up on both sides, a piece of what made interisland flying feel like ours goes with it. My real worry is not the seat map though, it is frequency. Bigger planes can quietly turn into fewer flights, and for us that flexibility to island-hop for a meeting, an appointment, or a tūtū visit matters more than legroom.
Bottom line: this is progress, and mostly good progress. I will take the Wi-Fi and the upgrade shots. I will just miss that two-seat side more than I expected to. What matters more to you, the modern cabin or keeping the two-across seating? Drop me a comment or reach out, I read every one.
A hui hou,
Scottie
Frequently asked questions
When are Hawaiian’s Boeing 717s being replaced?
The transition to Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s begins in 2028, according to Alaska Air Group’s July 21, 2026 announcement. It rolls out over time, so 717s keep flying interisland routes in the meantime. A single Alaska-branded 737 starts on the Honolulu to Kahului route in October 2026 as an early preview.
Is the two-seat side really going away?
Yes. The 717 flies a 2-3 layout with one side that has no middle seat. The replacement 737-800 uses a standard 3-3 layout, which puts a middle seat on both sides of every economy row. That change is confirmed by the aircraft type itself.
What is better about the new 737-800?
The 737-800 doubles First Class from 8 to 16 seats, adds more than 30 Premium Class seats, and brings free Starlink Wi-Fi, 110V power and USB at every seat, reclining leather Recaro seats, and more cargo room for surfboards. It is a clear step up in cabin comfort and technology.
Will there be fewer interisland flights?
Unknown as of July 2026. The 737-800 carries more people per flight, about 161 seats versus 128, so consolidating some departures is possible later. Alaska has said it plans to maintain capacity with frequent departures but has not confirmed the final schedule. We will update this if that changes.
Will the new planes still be flown by local crews?
Yes. Alaska and Hawaiian say the future 737-800 fleet stays based in Honolulu and is flown and crewed by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants once integration is complete, with maintenance capability kept in Honolulu.
Does this affect my Atmos Rewards or Huakaʻi by Hawaiian benefits?
Not directly, and there is a silver lining. More First Class and a new Premium Class cabin mean more premium seats available for upgrades and awards on interisland flights, which is good news for members. Your earning and status benefits are not changed by the aircraft swap itself.
Can I still choose the two-seat side today?
Yes, for now. Until the 737-800s phase in from 2028, most interisland flights still use the 717 with its two-seat side. If it is your favorite, enjoy it while it is here.
