Hawaiian Airlines Inter-Island Cargo Operations

The Alaska Air Group announced today that Hawaiian Airlines will receive 737-800BCFs to operate dedicated inter-island air cargo flights as part of the four 737-800BCFs the air group is acquiring. It was not mentioned how many of the four will be allocated to Hawaiian. These 737s are expected to arrive in the first half of 2027 will be branded as Hawaiian Air Cargo.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Air Group news release.

Hawaiian Air Cargo will be the first use the 737-800F in inter-island air cargo operations, as Aloha Air Cargo uses 737-300Fs and 737-400Fs, and TransAir Hawaii uses 737-200Fs.

HISTORICAL NOTE

This would be the first aircraft in decades to have Hawaiian Air Cargo-liveried freighters. Hawaiian Airlines had a fleet of 11 L-188F Electra freighters that operated inter-island, along with a division based on the mainland. The Hawaiian Air Cargo operation was short lived, from 1976 to 1980. Zantop International Airlines acquired the Electras following the closure of Hawaiian Air Cargo.

Hawaiian Airlines' subsidiary ‘Ohana by Hawaiian had its own inter-island cargo aircraft, with three ATR72-200Fs, during the airline's run.

Hawaiian Airlines 717-200 Replacement

Hawaiian Airlines (and the Alaska Air Group) just announced that they will replace their 19-plane 717-200 fleet with 737-890s from Alaska Airlines, painted in the current Hawaiian Airlines livery. The fleet replacement is scheduled to begin in 2028, as the 717-200s, whose current average age is 24.5 years, will be retired. Alaska's 737-800 fleet average age is currently 18.3 years. The air group plans to rebrand and renovate the cabins, and will feature 30 more Premium Class seats, as well as Starlink wi-fi.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Air group news release.

HISTORICAL NOTE

In the late 1990s, Hawaiian Airlines once considered the 737NG series for replacement of their DC-9-51 fleet, before going the 717-200s (once known as the MD-95).

Hawaiian Airlines' N375HA oneWorld Logo Jet

After a few delays, Hawaiian Airlines' A330-243 oneWorld logo jet, N375HA "Humu" (msn 1606) returned home this morning from SIN as ASA9980. It's scheduled to re-enter service later this morning to SYD as ASA851.

Hawaiian Airlines' N479HA "Moana" Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines has applied decals for the live-action version of "Moana" to one of its 717-22As. N479HA "‘Akepa" (c/n 55124, l/n 5069, f/n 479) will wear the decals for its inter-island flights. It re-entered service this morning as ASA1096 [HNL-OGG].

Hawaiian Airlines' N381HA "Moana" Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines has applied "Moana" decals on to N381HA "Hōkūle‘a" (msn 1114, f/n 381), for promotion of the Disney live-action motion picture. This A330-243 is flying to SEA this afternoon as ASA822, and return tomorrow as ASA821.

Hawaiian Airlines Unveils oneWorld Logo Jet

In a ceremony at their hangar, Hawaiian Airlines unveiled its entrance to the oneWorld alliance. N375HA "Humu" (msn 1606) was ferried to SIN for repainting earlier this month, and will wear the oneWorld wordmark on the forward fuselage, along with "Aloha a puni ka honua" ("Aloha all around the world"). N375HA is expected back in a couple of weeks.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines news release.

Hawaiian Airlines' N227HA "Moana" Special Livery

Hawaiian Airlines is having decals to promote Disney's live-action version of "Moana" applied to an A321-271N, N227HA "Olopua" (msn 9223, f/n 227). It's making its debut flight today to PDX as ASA840.

Further information in this Hawaiian Airlines news release.

"ReverseOps" has photos of "Olopua" departing for PDX on his Instagram post.

Alaska Air Group Reworks Amazon Prime Air Agreement

The Alaska Air Group has reworked its lease agreement for the ten A330-343Fs with Amazon Prime Air to make it more profitable for the group. The original deal made with Hawaiian Airlines has ended up being a money loser.

Further information in this FreightWaves article.

Hawaiian Airlines Becomes Part Of oneworld

Hawaiian Airlines officially becomes a member of the oneworld alliance today. It will allow passengers to travel throughout the globe via the network of airlines in the alliance. A oneworld logo has been placed by the L1 and L2 doors throughout the Hawaiian fleet.

Further information in this oneworld news release, and this Alaska Air Group news release.

Hawaiian Airlines Ends Code-Share With Virgin Australia

Hawaiian Airlines filed a termination notice with the US Department of Transportation, that it is ending its code-share with Virgin Australia today. This ends the decade-long partnership between the two airlines.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N783HA For Re-painting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N783HA "Me‘e" (c/n 66431, l/n 1236, f/n 783) from SEA to FTW to be painted in the global livery. 783 is the last of the four Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787-9 DreamLiners to get the new livery.

Alaska Airlines Ferries N782HA For Repainting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N782HA "Humu Ma" (c/n 66430, l/n 1223, f/n 782) from SEA to FTW for repainting into the airline's global livery. This 787-9 is flying as ASA9980, and should return to service in about three weeks.

Hawaiian Airlines' N780HA Ferried For Repainting

Alaska Airlines is ferrying N780HA "Kālepa" (c/n 66428, 1097, f/n 780) from SEA to FTW for repainting into their 787 "global livery". This is the first of the four Hawaiian Airlines-liveried 787-9s to undergo repainting.

29 January 2026 UPDATE

N780HA was ferried to SEA from FTW as ASA9811 this morning, and entered service from SEA to ICN as ASA871.

Hawaiian Airlines' Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan

The Alaska Air Group announced today that they will be investing over US$600M over the next five years  for Hawaiian Airlines' Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment to improve their lobbies and gates at all five Hawai‘i airports; improved app and website and technology improvements; enhanced rewards and benefits for local residents; and upgrading the cabins of their A330-243 fleet.

Washington Huskies Bowl Charter

The Washington Huskies are chartering a Hawaiian Airlines 787-9 for their appearance in the Bucked Up LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk, against the Boise State Broncos. N783HA "Me‘e" (c/n 66431, l/n 1236, f/n 783) ferried from SEA to BFI as ASA9940, then flew the Huskies to LAX as ASA9681.

13 December 2025 UPDATE

The Washington Huskies returned to BFI aboard N380HA"Makali‘i" (msn 1104, f/n 380), as ASA9864, after they beat the Broncos, 38-10.

Alaska Air Group Mulls A321Ns Future

Aviation Week reports that Alaska Airlines is mulling over the future of their Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N fleet, as the air group states that the fleet of 18 is too small. The two options the Alaska Air Group are considering are "to either double or drop to zero", said Alaska CFO Shane Tackett.

The Alaska Air Group is also considering the replacement of the Hawaiian Airlines 717-200, as they are approaching an average age of 25 years. The first option is to replace the 717s with 737s. The second option would be to "consider a different sort of purpose-built, short stage, high cycle aircraft that could live in Hawai‘i better than a 737?"

The air group plans to retain the Hawaiian Airlines A330-243 and A330-343F fleets, and base them at HNL, while the 787s will be based at SEA.

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team chartered a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their road trip to LAS to face the UNLV Rebels on Friday. N202HA "Maile" (msn 7917) departed HNL this morning as ASA9684. This A321N will re-enter service on its next leg.

22 November 2025 UPDATE

The Rainbow Warriors returned home aboard N202HA following their 38-10 beat down from the Rebels.

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau Hawaiian Airlines!

Hau‘oli Lā Hānau! Hawaiian Airlines celebrates its 96th anniversary today.

Washington Huskies Team Charter

The Washington Huskies have chartered a Hawaiian Airlines A330-243 for their road trip to MSN, to face the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday. N374HA "Melemele" (msn 1565) departed BFI as ASA9682, and will remain at MSN to bring back the Huskies as ASA9683.

Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors Team Charter

The Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors football team is flying commercially aboard a Hawaiian Airlines A321-271N for their Saturday game against the San José State Spartans. N204HA "‘Ōhi‘a Lehua" (msn 7959) is flying the team from HNL to SJC as ASA892. This is the first Rainbow Warriors team flight under the Alaska Airlines flight code.

02 November 2025 UPDATE

The Rainbow Warriors returned home aboard N205HA "Kalo" (msn 8092) today, following their 45-38 loss to the Spartans.