Hawaiian Airlines Converts 5 Boeing 787-9 Orders to 787-10 for Greater Capacity

(HAWAII) Hawaiian Airlines has converted five of its original Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner orders to the larger Boeing 787-10 in a fleet move tied directly to its merger with Alaska Airlines and the 2025 international growth plan now led under Alaska Air Group.

The shift, announced in mid-2025, repositions the Dreamliner program across the combined network and signals a pivot to higher-capacity aircraft on key trunk routes linking the islands with the U.S. mainland and major cities across the Pacific. As of September 2, 2025, Hawaiian operates three 787-9s, with the most recent airframe, tail number N782HA, delivered on March 26, 2025. Alaska officials have positioned the 787 family as the backbone of the group’s long-haul push, with the 787-10 slated to carry more passengers while slightly giving up range compared with the 787-9.

Strategic rationale: upgauging and network economics

The decision to convert half of the remaining orders underscores a clear strategy: deploy bigger airplanes where demand is consistently strong and use the rest of the widebody fleet for thinner or longer missions that benefit from the 787-9’s greater range.

Key points:
– The change reflects post-pandemic airline economics: filling more seats on reliable routes boosts efficiency and margins (analysis by VisaVerge.com).
– The 787-10 is expected to go to high-demand markets, but Alaska Air Group has not released final seat maps or confirmed launch routes.
– Final route and interior announcements are expected closer to late 2025 or early 2026, when the first 787-10 aircraft are due to arrive.

Fleet plan and cabin expectations

Hawaiian’s original order and the updated plan:
– Original order: 10 Boeing 787-9s to modernize long-haul flying.
– Revised plan: Five of those will now arrive as 787-10s.

Current 787-9 in-service configuration:
– 300 passengers total
– 34 business class
– 266 economy

Notes on interiors and branding:
– The exact Alaska/Hawaiian configuration for the 787-10 has not been announced.
– Company messaging indicates the 787-10 will feature Alaska’s premium long-haul product standards, likely retaining or enhancing premium suites and improved economy seating.
– Branding and service will transition to Alaska’s style to match its broader international vision.

Livery and community reaction

The Dreamliners are being repainted into Alaska’s new “global livery,” which removes Hawaiian’s traditional exterior symbols such as the Pualani tail icon and island motifs.

Community sentiment:
– Many in Hawaii feel the loss of cultural markers keenly; the Pualani icon has been a cultural emblem for decades.
– Some customers and community members have voiced disappointment about the loss of that identity on the newest jets.
– Alaska emphasizes the combined operation will protect long-haul service to and from the islands by aligning aircraft size with market demand.

“The Dreamliners will operate as Alaska’s global flagships going forward,” Alaska states, positioning the livery change as part of a broader operational shift.

Operational roles: 787-10 vs. 787-9 (and A330s)

Practical deployment strategy:
– Use 787-10 on routes with strong, reliable demand (e.g., West Coast–Hawaii links, select Hawaii–Asia services).
– Use 787-9 where range is more important or on seasonal/thinner missions.
– Retain some Airbus A330s for missions where schedule, stage length, or flexibility make them the better fit.

Benefits:
– Better seat economics on steady routes with the 787-10.
– Range and flexibility preserved by the 787-9 for the farthest nonstop routes.

Trade-offs and cautions:
– The 787-10’s shorter range reduces flexibility for ultra-long-haul flights.
– Analysts warn that deploying the 787-10 on routes with uneven demand can lower efficiency; careful route selection will be important.

Scheduling, marketing, and customer experience

Merger-driven improvements:
– Aligning capacity, flight times, and aircraft assignment across a single planning system reduces duplicated flying.
– Streamlines brand presentation on global itineraries offered through Alaska’s online channels.
– Alaska will market the 787s within its broader international network as the centerpiece of its long-haul plans.

Passenger-facing changes:
– The most noticeable differences for travelers will be tail livery and booking screens.
– From late 2025, customers may start seeing Alaska-branded 787-10s on routes previously flown by Hawaiian.
– Cabin interiors may show transitional Hawaiian elements initially, but the goal is a consistent Alaska experience across the fleet.
– Loyalty: Mileage Plan is now the primary program; reciprocal benefits extend to former HawaiianMiles members.

Practical traveler notes:
1. Booking: From late 2025, expect Alaska-branded 787-10 services on high-demand Hawaii routes.
2. Onboard experience: Alaska indicates suites-style business class and refreshed economy seating; transitional interiors may persist early on.
3. Loyalty: Mileage Plan is primary; reciprocal benefits for HawaiianMiles members.
4. Customer support: Use Alaska’s unified channels for rebooking and service needs.

Economic and community impacts

For Hawaii’s residents and economy:
– Consistent widebody service supports tourism, business travel, education, and medical trips.
– The 787-10’s higher seat count can reduce unit costs on steady routes and help preserve flight frequency.
– The 787-9 and A330s remain important to sustain service to cities where a larger aircraft would be harder to fill outside peak seasons.

Community views:
– Some see the visual brand loss as eroding a sense of local identity.
– Others view the fleet adjustments as necessary to maintain strong, stable long-haul links amid rising costs and fuel volatility.

Timeline and next steps

Key milestone expectations:
– First 787-10 deliveries: around late 2025 or early 2026.
– More details on seat counts, cabin features, and route assignments will be released as deliveries approach.
– Full operational and brand integration expected by early 2026.

Alaska will publish seating plans and city pair assignments as those dates near.

Technical and passenger comfort notes

What passengers can expect from the Dreamliner family:
– Lower cabin altitude
– Improved humidity and air quality systems
– Larger windows
– Quieter ride

Alaska highlights these features as part of its pitch to win repeat long-haul customers. As the 787-10s enter service, the carrier plans to disclose exact seat counts, pitch, and specific cabin details.

Analyst perspective and risks

Industry consensus:
– The 787-10 conversion is seen as a practical response to market conditions: better economics on high-demand, predictable routes.
– The 787-9 remains crucial for longer-range nonstop services.
– Maintaining a mixed fleet (787-10, 787-9, A330) provides operational balance.

Risks:
– Overcapacity on variable-demand routes can lower seat factors outside peak periods.
– Execution—timely deliveries, correct route assignments, and consistent product rollout—will determine success.

Contact, official resources, and consumer guidance

Official websites:
– Alaska Air Group: https://www.alaskaair.com
– Hawaiian: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com
– Hawaiian Dreamliner overview: https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/our-services/at-the-airport/our-fleet/b787
– U.S. DOT consumer resources: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer

Customer service numbers:
– Alaska Airlines: 1-800-252-7522
– Hawaiian Airlines: 1-800-367-5320

For traveler rights, delays, cancellations, refunds, and baggage issues, consult the DOT’s official page above. The guidance applies to flights touching the United States and remains the authoritative consumer resource.

Summary takeaway

• The conversion of five 787-9s to 787-10s reflects a coordinated strategy under Alaska Air Group to place the 787 family at the center of its long-haul map.
• The 787-10 will serve high-volume corridors to improve unit economics, while the 787-9 and A330s will preserve reach and flexibility.
• Passengers should expect visible changes in livery and booking channels, a gradual cabin product harmonization under Alaska, and loyalty consolidation into Mileage Plan.
• Community concerns over the loss of Hawaiian visual identity remain real, but Alaska argues that unified branding and fleet planning will help protect and stabilize long-haul service for the islands.