Hawaiian Airlines to Reduce Widebody Planes as Alaska Expands in Seattle

The airline's fleet plan shows a shift away from the traditional widebody experience to Hawaii as Alaska focuses growth on its Seattle hub.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Hawaiian Airlines, long known for its widebody aircraft serving Hawaii, is set to reduce its Airbus A330 fleet from 24 planes to 20 by 2028 as new Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 737 MAX 10 narrowbodies arrive. This shift reflects Alaska Airlines' strategy of building up its global network out of Seattle rather than expanding Hawaiian's widebody presence in Honolulu. The changes mean fewer large aircraft will depart from and arrive in the islands, impacting cargo capacity, while the economics of narrowbody flying to Hawaii improve.

Why it matters

For years, flying to Hawaii has been defined by the widebody experience, with Hawaiian Airlines leading the way. This fleet transition signals a broader shift in how travelers will access the islands, as Alaska focuses growth on its Seattle hub and leverages more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft on Hawaii routes.

The details

Hawaiian's fleet plan shows the Airbus A330 widebody fleet staying flat at 24 planes through 2027, but then dropping to 20 aircraft in 2028 as four planes exit the fleet. That same year, Alaska will add four Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, though the Honolulu 787 base is only expected to support around five aircraft. Meanwhile, Alaska will aggressively grow its 737 MAX 10 fleet, which offers more seats and premium space compared to prior narrowbody models, making it more economical to fly these planes to Hawaii instead of widebodies on some routes.

  • Through the end of 2027, Hawaiian's Airbus A330 fleet will remain at 24 aircraft.
  • In 2028, four A330 widebodies are scheduled to leave Hawaiian's fleet, bringing the total down to 20.
  • Also in 2028, four Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners are set to arrive at Alaska Airlines.

The players

Hawaiian Airlines

The airline that has long been defined by its widebody aircraft serving Hawaii routes.

Alaska Airlines

The carrier that acquired Hawaiian Airlines and is now reshaping the fleet, focusing growth on its Seattle hub rather than expanding widebody service from Honolulu.

Airbus A330

The widebody aircraft that has been the backbone of Hawaiian's long-haul Hawaii flying.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The widebody aircraft that Alaska is adding to its fleet, though the Honolulu 787 base is expected to be limited to around five aircraft.

Boeing 737 MAX 10

The higher-capacity narrowbody aircraft that Alaska is aggressively adding, making it more economical to fly these planes to Hawaii instead of widebodies on some routes.

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What’s next

Alaska's $600 million Kahuʻewai Hawaii Investment Plan focuses on airport infrastructure and guest facilities, while the airline has also announced a full A330 cabin rebuild beginning in 2028.

The takeaway

This fleet transition signals a broader shift in how travelers will access Hawaii, as Alaska focuses growth on its Seattle hub and leverages more fuel-efficient narrowbody aircraft on Hawaii routes, reducing the traditional widebody experience that has long defined flying to the islands.