16 thoughts on “Boeing 737 MAX | Hawaiian Air Interisland Fleet Replacement”
Rich
Good news. Much better than a regional jet from Airbus or Embraer. Quieter too. That said I really like the current 717’s so I hope we see them for a bit longer.
The comment the 717 has half of its life remaining is questionable as you say. The 717 is a tough airplane, perfect for interisland flying, there is not a plane made today better than the 717 for that type of flying. Boeing has extended the life of the airframe with engineering analysis multiple times, it was overbuilt by MD. The 2025 decision was 3-5 year lead time afterward. What I took from the presentation is that they like that the aircraft are owned and that the 737 will likely replace the 717 eventually, but not “relatively quickly” as you surmise. I think the timeline will be about the same as Hawaiian had planned. The 175 would need about 65% more planes (and gates) to do the same as the 717 passenger and cargo.
If Hawaiian had a healthy balance sheet they’d already replaced their aging 717 fleet.
I give credit to Hawaiians CEO’s recognition that Hawaiian wasn’t going to survive in it’s current format. The logical thing to do was to sell to Alaska.
We all should be happy that there’s a plan to replace these aging workhorses with newer aircraft.
Do not expect the deal with Amazon to remain intact as is. AirBus cargo aircraft can be replaced with 767-300F for much less money
or even the 777-300F and keep the all Boeing Fleet that AL likes
If it ant Boeing we ant going. Regardless of the Alaska take over of Hawaiian, the 737MAX-7 seems to be a very good option for HAL Inter Island fleet. The only question is can the GE LEAP jet engines perform the hot and quick turnarounds so vital to Hawaiian Inter Island operations. The much improved thrust to weight of 737MAX will allow safe operations from all airports on all eight islands. So this should allow Moloka’i and Lanai to be served by Hawaiian/Alaska Airlines jet aircraft like back in the day.
It might be more cost effective to cycle Alaskan’s older 737s through through the HA interisland routes. That would make effective use of their older but still viable birds and replace them with MAX’s to expand and fly other, longer haul routes.
In a sane world, there would be far fewer aircraft flying interisland and far more modern, very high speed ferries servicing all but the farthest island destinations such as Kona and Hilo. But I digress when I referenced “sane” 😀 Return of the Super Ferry anyone?
Alaska’s announcement of the 737 replacing the 717 might be a temporary fix, not a final decision. Analyzing their 2024 order book and Embraer’s potential deals will be key to predicting the true replacement. Here’s why:
-Placeholder possibility: The 737 might fill a gap until a better option emerges. Alaska’s silence on long-term plans suggests they’re open to other aircraft.
-Embraer’s tempting offer: Horizon could use Embraer jets for Hawaii and the Northwest, maximizing their lifespan and potentially making it the frontrunner.
-A321 shuffle: Selling the A321s as the 737 MAX takes over could be a quick cash grab for Alaska.
Ultimately, Alaska’s next move will reveal its true replacement strategy.
Hawaiian current CBA wouldn’t allow Horizon flight between the island. I expect that provision will be in the new JCBA so whatever plane they use will be piloted by Hawaiian mainline pilots
THis would be a very bad idea. The MAX is not safe, plain and simple. If Alaska went this route, many passengers would look elsewhere to fly interisland. I hope Empire Airlines comes back to the islands and flies their C408 Sky Courier inner-island. That would make a lot of sense as that aircraft is designed for that type of flying. If they start flying the MAX inner-island, we may have another Aloha accident on our hands in short time. If anything, Alaska should ferry over some E-175’s for the short inner-island flying
If this acquisition goes through, you’ll see AS move quickly to go back to a “Proudly All Boeing” airline just like they did with VX. The 737MAX as an interisland platform, gives AS/HA the ability to use those on thinner mainland markets when they want to expand routes, like BUR or SNA. Don’t be surprised if you see the A321Neo fleet disappear over the next 5 years especially since they’ve had so many engine problems. The MAX10 will be out by then and it could easily replace the Airbuses. The A330’s have probably seen their last extension to leases as, AS will push for more 787’s. The agreement with Amazon though will see the A330 freighters stick around.
Agree…makes total sense for the passenger operation of Alaska/Hawaiian be all 737/787 eventually ….the Cargo operation (with it’s option to go to 60 A-330’s) remain an Airbus freighter operation….Hawaiians simulator operation in HNL is another added benefit to Alaska. 787/330 and NEO sims that they can use for their own pilots and make a nice profit doing contract work for other carriers.
I sure hope not. Alaska’s CEo has said that both airlines will remain separate. I hope this will remain true and that the fleets won’t be thinned. The A321 and A330 have been great aircraft to fly on between the mainland and Hawaii. Once the 787 replace the A330 fleet, I would hope the A321’s would remain in service. I’d love for Alaska to come out and say that getting rid of the ex VA A321’s was a big mistake in light of this recent news.
Good news. Much better than a regional jet from Airbus or Embraer. Quieter too. That said I really like the current 717’s so I hope we see them for a bit longer.
The comment the 717 has half of its life remaining is questionable as you say. The 717 is a tough airplane, perfect for interisland flying, there is not a plane made today better than the 717 for that type of flying. Boeing has extended the life of the airframe with engineering analysis multiple times, it was overbuilt by MD. The 2025 decision was 3-5 year lead time afterward. What I took from the presentation is that they like that the aircraft are owned and that the 737 will likely replace the 717 eventually, but not “relatively quickly” as you surmise. I think the timeline will be about the same as Hawaiian had planned. The 175 would need about 65% more planes (and gates) to do the same as the 717 passenger and cargo.
If Hawaiian had a healthy balance sheet they’d already replaced their aging 717 fleet.
I give credit to Hawaiians CEO’s recognition that Hawaiian wasn’t going to survive in it’s current format. The logical thing to do was to sell to Alaska.
We all should be happy that there’s a plan to replace these aging workhorses with newer aircraft.
Hi Richard.
You and JC both make good points. Thanks.
Aloha.
Hawaiian would br bankrupt if Alaska hadn’t bought them. There was noway for them to replace all 717 and other planes.
Do not expect the deal with Amazon to remain intact as is. AirBus cargo aircraft can be replaced with 767-300F for much less money
or even the 777-300F and keep the all Boeing Fleet that AL likes
If it ant Boeing we ant going. Regardless of the Alaska take over of Hawaiian, the 737MAX-7 seems to be a very good option for HAL Inter Island fleet. The only question is can the GE LEAP jet engines perform the hot and quick turnarounds so vital to Hawaiian Inter Island operations. The much improved thrust to weight of 737MAX will allow safe operations from all airports on all eight islands. So this should allow Moloka’i and Lanai to be served by Hawaiian/Alaska Airlines jet aircraft like back in the day.
It might be more cost effective to cycle Alaskan’s older 737s through through the HA interisland routes. That would make effective use of their older but still viable birds and replace them with MAX’s to expand and fly other, longer haul routes.
In a sane world, there would be far fewer aircraft flying interisland and far more modern, very high speed ferries servicing all but the farthest island destinations such as Kona and Hilo. But I digress when I referenced “sane” 😀 Return of the Super Ferry anyone?
Best Regards
Alaska’s announcement of the 737 replacing the 717 might be a temporary fix, not a final decision. Analyzing their 2024 order book and Embraer’s potential deals will be key to predicting the true replacement. Here’s why:
-Placeholder possibility: The 737 might fill a gap until a better option emerges. Alaska’s silence on long-term plans suggests they’re open to other aircraft.
-Embraer’s tempting offer: Horizon could use Embraer jets for Hawaii and the Northwest, maximizing their lifespan and potentially making it the frontrunner.
-A321 shuffle: Selling the A321s as the 737 MAX takes over could be a quick cash grab for Alaska.
Ultimately, Alaska’s next move will reveal its true replacement strategy.
Hawaiian current CBA wouldn’t allow Horizon flight between the island. I expect that provision will be in the new JCBA so whatever plane they use will be piloted by Hawaiian mainline pilots
THis would be a very bad idea. The MAX is not safe, plain and simple. If Alaska went this route, many passengers would look elsewhere to fly interisland. I hope Empire Airlines comes back to the islands and flies their C408 Sky Courier inner-island. That would make a lot of sense as that aircraft is designed for that type of flying. If they start flying the MAX inner-island, we may have another Aloha accident on our hands in short time. If anything, Alaska should ferry over some E-175’s for the short inner-island flying
Well, tell us how you really feel! You know the old saying about opinions…
If this acquisition goes through, you’ll see AS move quickly to go back to a “Proudly All Boeing” airline just like they did with VX. The 737MAX as an interisland platform, gives AS/HA the ability to use those on thinner mainland markets when they want to expand routes, like BUR or SNA. Don’t be surprised if you see the A321Neo fleet disappear over the next 5 years especially since they’ve had so many engine problems. The MAX10 will be out by then and it could easily replace the Airbuses. The A330’s have probably seen their last extension to leases as, AS will push for more 787’s. The agreement with Amazon though will see the A330 freighters stick around.
Agree…makes total sense for the passenger operation of Alaska/Hawaiian be all 737/787 eventually ….the Cargo operation (with it’s option to go to 60 A-330’s) remain an Airbus freighter operation….Hawaiians simulator operation in HNL is another added benefit to Alaska. 787/330 and NEO sims that they can use for their own pilots and make a nice profit doing contract work for other carriers.
I sure hope not. Alaska’s CEo has said that both airlines will remain separate. I hope this will remain true and that the fleets won’t be thinned. The A321 and A330 have been great aircraft to fly on between the mainland and Hawaii. Once the 787 replace the A330 fleet, I would hope the A321’s would remain in service. I’d love for Alaska to come out and say that getting rid of the ex VA A321’s was a big mistake in light of this recent news.