Hawaiian’s Widebody Fleet Under Alaska—Fewer Dreamliners, Bigger Upgrades

Hawaiian Airlines’ long-awaited Dreamliner fleet was meant to usher in a new era for the airline, elevating its long-haul service and positioning it for greater expansion especially internationally. Instead, the plan has continued to take twists and turns, with the latest being that fewer aircraft are coming in the time frame originally expected. Boeing delays are piling up, and a possible shift in priorities could occur under Alaska Airlines.

Boeing’s ongoing production issues have again pushed back Hawaiian’s 787 deliveries, but the uncertainty runs deeper. Alaska now must factor in how these aircraft will be used within its growing fleet, and the result will look very different from what Hawaiian once envisioned.

While more Dreamliners are still on the way, they won’t arrive as initially planned, according to Alaska’s latest SEC filing, and, Hawaiian’s fleet strategy is again evolving. Meanwhile, the airline’s decade-old fleet of 24 A330s are staying put—but with a significant overhaul planned that could change that passenger experience in unexpected ways.

A long road to the Dreamliner and then a series of detours.

Hawaiian’s Dreamliner saga has been anything but smooth. The airline first ordered twenty of the aircraft in 2018, but also pivoted back and forth to Airbus A350, before reversing course again and ultimately settling on a fleet of 10 to 12 of the new planes. The plan had been to augment then gradually replace the A330s with more fuel-efficient aircraft, offering greater range and efficiency while modernizing the airline’s long-haul, widebody operations.

But Boeing’s Dreamliner delays, the pandemic and other issues have kept Hawaiian and now Alaska waiting. After multiple production setbacks, the airline finally took delivery of its first Dreamliner in 2023. Rather than an aggressive rollout, however, the aircraft arrived at more like a trickle. Now, under Alaska’s control, Hawaiian’s Dreamliner strategy seems to have taken yet another slowdown.

Alaska Airlines has long relied on a narrowbody-only fleet, while the Hawaiian acquisition has changed that. Now, Alaska is stepping into the widebody market with enthusiasm—something it had previously avoided. However, Hawaiian’s Dreamliners will not operate solely for Alaska’s island brand. Instead, these aircraft will serve both Hawaiian and Alaska’s growing long-haul ambitions start with flights between Seattle and Asia this year using the Hawaiian A330 fleet.

The exact details of what’s next remain under wraps, but several things are clear: Hawaiian’s Dreamliner fleet probably won’t ever be as large as it once hoped. With Boeing’s setbacks on both the Dreamliner and Alaska’s 737 MAX, together with Alaska’s shifting priorities, the combined airline’s long-haul future is no longer as straightforward as it once seemed.

For more on how Alaska is reshaping Hawaiian’s fleet strategy—including branding decisions and operational shifts—see our deeper dive here From Pualani to Alaska Eskimo—Hawaiian Dreamliner.

Here’s what Alaska reported regarding Dreamliner deliveries.

In their recent SEC filing the company said, “Hawaiian had firm orders to purchase 10 B787-9 aircraft with deliveries expected between 2025 and 2028… and B787-9 aircraft are expected to be delivered later than the contracted delivery timing… Management expects that other Boeing aircraft deliveries could be delayed beyond the contractual delivery.

As of today, Alaska expects to receive 3 additional planes this year, 2 in 2026, and 4 in 2027. That brings the total to 11 reported, although it is thought at least one more plane will be forthcoming.

A330s stay, but significant changes could be next.

With fewer Dreamliners arriving on schedule, what happens to the A330s that might once have seemed closer to being on their way out? Rather than replacing them, Hawaiian—under Alaska’s direction—has made clear that it plans to keeps them in service for the foreseeable future.

However, these may not entirely be the same A330s passengers are familiar with today. A complete refurbishment is said to be in the works, bringing these aircraft in line with modern industry standards. The upcoming overhaul is expected to introduce new current generation lie-flat business class seats, something Hawaiian’s A330s previously lacked, and a new, never before seen at either airline, premium economy section, together with refreshed economy cabins.

For travelers, this means that while the Dreamliner fleet is delayed, improvements to the onboard experience are still on the way. Instead of relying solely on new aircraft, Alaska is now investing in making its existing Hawaiian A330 fleet more competitive.

Boeing delays add more uncertainty.

Boeing’s problems aren’t limited to Alaska/Hawaiian. The manufacturer has struggled with ongoing production issues, quality control concerns, and broader supply chain constraints. These challenges have forced delays across multiple airlines, and Alaska is just one of many carriers feeling the impact.

While the airline had initially expected a steadier stream of 787-9 deliveries through next year, the timeline has now been pushed out further. Alaska has already said that its Dreamliner plans are shifting, and with Boeing facing increased scrutiny, further setbacks are a real possibility.

What remains unknown is just how much worse the delays could get. If Boeing’s challenges continue, Hawaiian’s long-haul plans may have to adjust once again.

What this means for Hawaii travelers.

The most immediate impact for passengers is that Dreamliners will remain a relative rarity in Hawaiian’s fleet for the near future. While the airline’s first two 787s are already in service, and three more are expected this year, the slower-than-expected further rollout means that many travelers will still be flying on the older aircraft for years to come.

The A330 widebody refurb will be a significant bright spot for Alaska/Hawaiian.

Rather than continuing to operate outdated and competitively ineffective interiors, Alaska has indicated is will invest in making these still highly serviceable aircraft feel new again. The addition of premium economy and current generation lie-flat business class would result in a product more in line with industry expectations set by competitors, and these upgrades could make a noticeable difference for those flying long-haul routes.

Hawaiian’s current A330 business class features outdated Optimares brand lie-flat seats in a 2-2-2 configuration, meaning there is no direct aisle access for window-seat passengers. While the design is highly quirky—some find it enjoyable once they get used to it, although it’s noticeably behind the industry standard.

American, United, and Delta, the other U.S. airlines operating widebodies to Hawaii, have all moved to a 1-2-1 business layout, ensuring direct aisle access, greater privacy, and wider, longer seats. While Hawaiian’s seats lie fully flat, they lack the spaciousness, convenience, and refined feel of the newer business class products seen on other airlines.

Editor Jeff learned that to sleep on the Optimares seat, at six feet tall, he needs to push his head to the extreme highest position possible on the side opposite his feet. Otherwise, his feet hang out into the aisle, which can be disruptive to him and others.

The A330 refurbishment should be on the way, which if it includes the anticipated move to 1-2-1 business seating, will be a game-changer, making the airline more competitive for coveted premium travelers flying to and from Hawaii.

Meanwhile, Alaska’s involvement in Hawaiian’s fleet strategy adds additional layers of complexity. Dreamliners and A330 alike will operate outside traditional Hawaiian routes, serving destinations needed within Alaska’s broader network based in Seattle. This could lead to unexpected route opportunities, but it also raises questions about whether Alaska’ls Hawaiian brand will still expand from its Honolulu base in any form similar to what was once planned.

What’s next?

The Dreamliner delays may be frustrating, but they’re just part of a complexities of the transition for Hawaiian under Alaska. The airline’s inefficient operations are being overhauled, and its long-term fleet strategy is still taking shape. Many more announcements lie ahead.

The changes bring both challenges and benefits for passengers. The wait for more Dreamliners continues, but the promise of refurbished A330s with lie-flat seating and premium economy would mark a clear upgrade. However, some uncertainty remains about how many Dreamliners Hawaiian will ultimately receive and when, and whether Boeing’s ongoing struggles could lead to further fleet shifts.

As Alaska fine-tunes its integration of Hawaiian and Boeing works through its production issues, the airline’s future will continue evolving. The Dreamliner vision isn’t dead, but this is not playing out the way Hawaiian or Alaska originally imagined.