Hawaiian Airlines has updated its neighbor-island fleet with a full retrofit of 18 Boeing 717s, introducing an island-inspired cabin redesign and new lightweight seating in the main cabin.
“These new, modern design elements rejuvenate the interiors of our Boeing 717s while allowing us to deliver a consistent onboard experience for our guests,” said Peter Ingram, chief commercial officer, Hawaiian Airlines. “The new lightweight seats are engineered to ensure a maximum amount of personal space without compromising legroom or comfort.”
Where the fleet once operated with five different cabin layouts, every aircraft will now feature the same galley, lavatory and a 128-seat configuration. Standardizing the interiors reduces operational complexity and ensures a reliable, uniform experience for travelers on every flight.
The refreshed cabin design draws on the islands’ natural palette: earth tones grounded by deep aqua seating, with accents of fuchsia and sky blue. Upgrades include new seat covers and leather arm caps in first class, plus new carpeting, galley flooring, curtains and renewed forward windows, creating a cohesive and modern environment throughout the cabin.
These lighter-weight seats are intended to increase passenger comfort by maximizing personal space while maintaining adequate legroom. They also contribute to operational efficiencies through weight savings, aligning with the airline’s goals for a consistent, comfortable and efficient short-haul product.
Hawaiian’s entire narrow-body fleet, which supports more than 160 daily short-haul flights among the state’s islands, will receive these enhancements by the end of the year, bringing a unified and refreshed onboard experience to travelers across the carrier’s neighbor-island network.