Hawaiian Airlines Is Adding Free Starlink Wi-Fi and More First Class Seats to Interisland Flights

Hawaiian Airlines’ neighbor island flights are about to get their biggest refresh in nearly 25 years.

Alaska Airlines, which now owns Hawaiian, announced that Hawaiian-branded Boeing 737-800s will replace the aging Boeing 717s that have shuttled travelers between the islands for decades.

The new jets come with free Starlink Wi-Fi, more premium seats, and a longer list of onboard upgrades that should make short interisland hops feel a lot less basic. This is good news for customers.

Hawaiian Airlines Upgrading Interisland Flights

The Boeing 717 has flown Hawaii’s interisland routes since 2001, and the planes are showing their age. Alaska Airlines is swapping this aircraft for the 737-800, a larger and more modern aircraft that can handle the punishing schedule of short segments, frequent daily cycles, and salt-air operations that define neighbor island flying.

The fleet will keep the Hawaiian Airlines brand, stay based in Honolulu, and be flown by Honolulu-based pilots and flight attendants once the integration wraps up.

However, the transition won’t happen overnight. Alaska plans to begin the full fleet swap in 2028, with more details to come as planning continues. In the meantime, capacity gets a near-term boost: Starting in October, 1 Alaska-branded 737 will operate 3 daily round-trips between Honolulu (HNL) and Kahului (OGG), flying out of Terminal 1 at Honolulu.

The move is part of Alaska Accelerate, the parent company’s broader plan to grow both brands. Hawaiian CEO Diana Birkett Rakow framed it as a long-term commitment to the islands, calling interisland service “part of the fabric of life in Hawai’i.”

Why This Is a Win for Flyers

The aircraft swap matters, but the cabin is where travelers will notice the biggest difference. The 737-800 offers twice as many first class seats as the Boeing 717, along with more than 30 additional Premium Class seats.

For anyone chasing an upgrade, the extra premium seat inventory matters, and it directly benefits Huaka’i by Hawaiian and Atmos Rewards members hoping to move up front. More premium seats also means more potential award availability for travelers booking with points.

Then there’s the tech. Every flight gets fast, free Starlink Wi-Fi, which is a genuine upgrade on routes that have historically offered little to nothing in the way of connectivity. Every seat also picks up a 110V power outlet, USB charging, and a seatback device holder, so you can actually stay powered and streaming on even the shortest hop. Inside, travelers will find reclining leather Recaro seats. The larger aircraft also offers more cargo capacity, making it easier to accommodate oversized gear like surfboards.

This is a combination of improvements on the routes Hawaii residents fly for work, school, family, and medical care, not just the occasional vacation.

Final Thoughts

While Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines are announcing this as a fleet story, the more interesting aspect is what’s inside the new planes.

More premium seats, free Starlink, and power at every seat add up to a better interisland flight experience, and the extra premium inventory is worth watching for points and miles travelers once these jets start flying.

With the near-term Boeing 737 boost arriving in October and the full transition targeted for 2028, this is a change that will play out over the next few years, but it points clearly toward a more comfortable, more connected way to island hop.