Hawaiian Airlines is changing in ways you’ll notice at the airport now and on the plane over the next few years. Some changes are already in effect, and others are coming in 2027 and 2028.
The 1-Minute Read
Already in effect (since Oct. 3):
- Alaska 737s are flying Honolulu–Kahului. Three daily round trips now use Alaska’s Boeing 737-800s, while Hawaiian’s 717s still cover all Neighbor Island markets with about 140 daily flights.
- Check in 50 minutes before departure for all Neighbor Island flights, up from 30. That means checking in online or in the app and dropping bags by then.
- International departures from Honolulu now check in at Terminal 2, Lobby 4.
- Kamaʻāina perks continue for Huakaʻi by Hawaiian members, including two free checked bags.
Coming in 2028:
- Leihōkū, Hawaiian’s new flagship premium experience (the name means “lei of stars”). All 24 A330s get new interiors, including 22 lie-flat suites in international business class and domestic First Class.
- A new HNL lounge of nearly 13,000 square feet opens in Terminal 1.
- Premium Reserve, a premium economy cabin with 38 inches of pitch. Tickets go on sale next summer.
- Hawaiian-branded 737s replace the 717s on Neighbor Island routes, with free Starlink Wi-Fi.
Bottom line: the airport changes affect you today, so give yourself extra time, and the big cabin and lounge upgrades arrive over the next two years.
Already in effect: what changed on Oct. 3
Alaska 737s on Honolulu–Kahului. Alaska Airlines now flies daily Boeing 737-800s on three Honolulu–Kahului round trips, adding Neighbor Island capacity. Hawaiian’s 717 fleet still serves every Neighbor Island market with about 140 daily flights. The Alaska and Hawaiian websites and app label which aircraft you’re booking.
On the 737 flights, you’ll find:
- Reclining leather seats with in-seat power and USB charging
- Complimentary beverage and snack service in First Class, and beverage service in Main Cabin
- More premium seating and upgrade opportunities
- Free Starlink Wi-Fi on equipped aircraft (installation timing varies by plane)
Check in 50 minutes before departure. All Neighbor Island passengers must now check in online or in the Alaska Hawaiian app and drop checked bags at least 50 minutes before departure, up from 30. Hawaiian says nearly all Neighbor Island travelers already arrived by then, and the change should help baggage handling and on-time departures.
Where to go:
- Honolulu to Kahului on a 737: check bags at Terminal 1, Lobby 3, using the self-service bag-tag stations.
- Kahului to Honolulu on a 737: use Alaska’s counters, next to Hawaiian’s.
- International departures from Honolulu: check-in and bag drop moved to Terminal 2, Lobby 4. Check your flight info before you leave home and allow extra time.
Kamaʻāina perks continue. Huakaʻi by Hawaiian members who live in Hawaiʻi keep their benefits on Hawaiian and Alaska Neighbor Island flights. These include two free checked bags, quarterly discounts for up to six companions on the same reservation, triple Atmos Rewards points at Foodland and monthly fare deals.
What’s next for inter-island flying: In 2028, Hawaiian plans to retire the 717 fleet and move to Hawaiian-branded 737s with premium interiors and free Starlink Wi-Fi.
Leihōkū: Hawaiian’s new flagship premium experience
On Sept. 29, Alaska Air Group unveiled Leihōkū, meaning “lei of stars,” named for the Polynesian navigators who crossed the Pacific by the stars. It’s Hawaiian’s counterpart to Alaska’s new Aurora experience.
Starting in 2028, all 24 of Hawaiian’s A330s, which fly to Asia, Oceania and select North America routes, get new interiors from the first row to the last. That includes:
- 22 Leihōkū Suites in international business class and domestic First Class, with lie-flat seats, direct aisle access and privacy doors
- 19-inch 4K screens, Bluetooth, wireless and USB-C charging, and AC power
- Hotel-quality bedding and a dedicated check-in and concierge service in Honolulu and Seattle
- About 40 percent premium seating, up from 30 percent today
Because Leihōkū covers domestic First Class, it applies to Hawaiʻi–mainland flights, not only international routes.
A new lounge at HNL
Hawaiian is building a lounge of nearly 13,000 square feet at the entrance of the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1. Seating is planned for about 200. Travel writer Ali Wunderman, who attended Alaska Air Group’s Investor Day, reported that it will be roughly five times the size of the current lounge. Access will be similar to The Plumeria Lounge, including for Leihōkū Suites guests.
Planned features:
- Locally inspired food and drinks, and a signature local coffee experience
- A full-service bar with specially crafted cocktails
- Private workspaces
- Artwork and installations by local artists
The renderings lean into island character: woven pendant lights, wood screens echoing palm fronds, lots of greenery and tall windows facing the ramp.
Premium Reserve: a premium economy option
Hawaiian is adding Premium Reserve, a cabin between Premium Class (formerly Extra Comfort) and the lie-flat suites. Tickets go on sale next summer, and it rolls out in 2028 with 28 seats on each A330. It offers:
- 38 inches of pitch and a wider seat
- Extra recline plus a leg and calf rest
- A 16-inch 4K OLED screen with Bluetooth
- AC power and USB-C at every seat
For those who can’t justify a lie-flat fare on long hauls to the mainland or Asia, this may be the most relevant new product.
Local chefs in the cabin
Hawaiian Executive Chef Dell Valdez, the Honolulu chef behind Vein at Kakaʻako, Dell’s Kitchen & Bakery and Mio Pastalogy, designs the premium menus. Business Class menus on Honolulu–Japan and Honolulu–Australia flights are available now, with domestic routes next. This summer, Hawaiian also launched a Main Cabin pre-order program on most Hawaiʻi–mainland flights, developed with Maui chef and James Beard Award finalist Sheldon Simeon.
A one-stop link to Europe and Asia
Alaska, which now shares a network with Hawaiian, flies from Seattle to Tokyo, Seoul, London, Rome and Reykjavík. Paris and Athens join next year, and Alaska is targeting at least 15 long-haul destinations by 2030. According to Wunderman, travelers from Honolulu or Kahului can connect to those routes with one stop in Seattle.
Loyalty and connectivity
Atmos Rewards members can choose whether to earn status by price paid, distance flown or segments flown. A new Atmos Rewards debit card is planned for 2027. Starlink Wi-Fi will be free for Atmos Rewards members, courtesy of T-Mobile.
Sources: Alaska Air Group press release (Sept. 29, 2026); Hawaiian Airlines Neighbor Island update (Sept. 18, 2026); Ali Wunderman, “What Alaska and Hawaiian’s new premium investments mean for travelers” (Oct. 14, 2026)
