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Interisland Air Travel Experience to Shift by 2028: Implications for Tourism Operators and Frequent Travelers

·6 min read·👀 Watch

Executive Summary

Hawaiian Airlines will retire its Boeing 717 fleet by 2028, eliminating the unique two-seat side configuration in favor of a more modern cabin, Wi-Fi, and expanded premium seating. This change may require tourism operators to adjust marketing and service offerings, and frequent interisland travelers to reconsider their travel preferences.

Watch & Prepare

Medium Priority

Businesses that cater to or rely on specific traveler preferences tied to the current interisland flight experience should begin considering how to adapt their offerings or marketing to a changing service environment before the changes are fully implemented.

Monitor Hawaiian Airlines' official announcements regarding the new aircraft type and cabin configuration starting early 2027. Observe any initial passenger feedback or booking pattern shifts impacting interisland routes after the first phase of 717 retirements begins.

Who's Affected
Tourism OperatorsSmall Business OperatorsRemote Workers
Ripple Effects
  • →Fleet standardization → decreased appeal for niche travelers who valued unique configurations → increased need for marketing efforts focused on modern amenities.
  • →Retirement of efficient 717s → potential increase in per-flight operational costs for Hawaiian Airlines → potential impact on interisland fare competitiveness.
  • →Shift to more varied seating options → altered passenger experience for frequent commuters and business travelers → potential need to adjust travel choices based on comfort and productivity needs.
Stunning mid-flight view of airplane wing and clouds from a window seat.
Photo by puja evi

The Change

By 2028, Hawaiian Airlines is set to retire its fleet of Boeing 717 aircraft, bringing an end to the distinctive two-seat-per-side configuration that has characterized its interisland flights for decades. This transition, confirmed by Alaska Airlines, coincides with the introduction of a modernized cabin experience. While passengers can anticipate new amenities such as onboard Wi-Fi and a greater number of premium seating options, the intimate, smaller cabin feel of the 717 will be a thing of the past. The new aircraft, yet to be fully detailed by Hawaiian Airlines, are expected to align with industry standards for longer-haul flights but will fundamentally alter the nature of short-hop interisland travel.

Who's Affected

  • Tourism Operators: Businesses reliant on interisland travel, including hotels, tour operators, and activity providers, should monitor how passenger experience shifts might influence booking decisions. A change in perceived comfort or convenience could subtly alter destination choices or the perceived value of bundled island-hopping packages. While Wi-Fi and premium seats offer modernization, the loss of the intimate two-seat arrangement may affect travelers who valued the specific configuration for couples or business pairings.
  • Small Business Operators: For businesses that regularly transport staff or goods between islands, the change to a potentially less flexible or similarly configured aircraft could impact operational efficiency or employee travel satisfaction. Frequent travelers who have become accustomed to the 717's specific seating and cabin environment will need to adapt.
  • Remote Workers & Frequent Interisland Commuters: Individuals who frequently travel between islands for work or personal reasons will experience a direct change in their commute. The introduction of Wi-Fi may be a net positive, but the overall cabin density and seating arrangement will differ. Those who specifically chose Hawaiian for its unique two-seat configuration may explore alternative travel options or simply need to adjust their expectations for interisland transit.

Second-Order Effects

The retirement of the Boeing 717 and its unique seating configuration represents a subtle but significant shift in the interisland travel ecosystem. This transition, driven by fleet modernization and the pursuit of industry-standard amenities like Wi-Fi, could lead to a homogenization of the interisland travel experience. For tourism operators, this might mean a reduced appeal for niche traveler segments who valued the distinctiveness of the 717. Consequently, marketing efforts may need to emphasize modern comforts over unique characteristics. Furthermore, as airlines standardize their fleets, the cost-effectiveness of specialized interisland services could be impacted, potentially influencing fare structures and overall travel accessibility for business and leisure alike.

What to Do

Tourism Operators: Begin evaluating how your marketing materials and package offerings represent interisland travel. Consider highlighting the new amenities offered by Hawaiian Airlines (like Wi-Fi) while acknowledging the shift in cabin configuration. Monitor booking trends for any noticeable impact on island-hopping packages or preferences for specific travel times. Start adapting website content and promotional materials over the next 18-24 months to reflect the upcoming changes.

Small Business Operators: Assess your current reliance on the specific seating configuration of the Boeing 717 for employee travel. If your business frequently books interisland flights for staff, review Hawaiian Airlines' future fleet plans as they become available to understand potential impacts on booking flexibility and passenger comfort. No immediate action is required, but begin considering alternative intra-island transport logistics if efficiency is heavily dependent on current flight configurations.

Remote Workers: If you regularly commute between islands by air, familiarize yourself with the amenities expected on the new aircraft. If onboard Wi-Fi is a priority for your productivity, this change may enhance your travel experience. For those who valued the specific two-seat configuration, explore booking options closer to the 2028 deadline to understand how your travel preferences align with the new fleet.

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