Alaska Airlines to operate 737s on Hawaiian
Alaska Airlines will begin operating Alaska-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft on daily flights between Honolulu and Kahului from October 3, supplementing and
Alaska Airlines will launch daily supplemental flights between Honolulu and Kahului using Alaska-branded Boeing 737-800 aircraft starting October 3. This move is part of the next step in improving the customer experience following Alaska Air Group's acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines.
The newer 737s will provide short-term relief on the busy interisland routes, allowing Hawaiian's older Boeing 717 jets to undergo routine maintenance. Over the next few years, the 737-800s are slated to gradually replace the 717 fleet, which Hawaiian plans to fully retire by 2028. The 737 is described as a proven aircraft capable of handling the frequent daily cycles and short flight segments typical of Hawaii's neighbor island network.
Fleet upgrade and capacity increase
The shift from the 717 to the 737-800 represents a significant capacity upgrade for the interisland market. Each flight will gain 33 additional seats.
| Aircraft Type | Seat Count |
|---|---|
| Boeing 717 | 128 |
| Boeing 737-800 | 161 |
Alaska Airlines operates 60 737-800s within a total fleet of 252 Boeing 737 family aircraft. The Alaska-branded aircraft will operate while the airline waits for Hawaiian Airlines-branded 737s to arrive. Passengers will be able to see the different aircraft types when booking online.
Passenger benefits and operational changes
The 737 aircraft offer several passenger amenities not available on the older 717s. All are fitted with onboard Wi-Fi. The cabins feature reclining leather Recaro seats, in-seat power and USB charging, and additional premium seating options. First Class passengers receive a complimentary beverage and snack service, while Main Cabin travelers are offered a beverage service.
Hawaii residents who are members of the Huaka'i by Hawaiian program will enjoy recently announced enhancements. These include two checked bags, quarterly discounts for six companions on the same trip, and triple Atmos Rewards points at Foodland stores.
The launch of the new flights on October 3 comes with updated check-in procedures. All neighbor island guests will need to check bags at least 50 minutes before departure. The airline states this earlier check-in time will improve baggage handling and support better on-time departures.
Passengers traveling to Kahului will continue to check bags at Terminal 1, Lobby 3 in Honolulu. However, guests departing to Honolulu on the new 737 jets will need to visit the Alaska counters located next to Hawaiian's counters for check-in and bag drop services.
Airport terminal adjustments
To accommodate the new 737 intra-island operations, Hawaiian Airlines is planning further changes at Honolulu International Airport. The airline intends to move and combine check-in and bag drop for international departures to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. The report encourages guests to check their flight information before heading to the airport to ensure they are aware of the new lobby locations.
The introduction of the 737 is expected to improve overall capacity, cargo operations, frequency, and reliability on the busy routes between the Hawaiian islands. Alaska Air Group has confirmed it plans to retain the Hawaiian brand and operate a dual-brand strategy, though both airlines now operate on a single FAA certificate, reservation platform, and frequent flyer program.
