Alaska Air Group Centralizes Long-Haul Growth in Seattle While Trimming Hawaiian Fleet

Seattle, Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Alaska Air Group is fundamentally reshaping its transpacific strategy following its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. In a move that redefines the carrier’s operational geography, future widebody growth is pivoting away from Honolulu to the company’s Seattle headquarters. Data from a recent 10-K filing reveals that while Hawaiian Airlines will see its Airbus A330 fleet shrink by four aircraft in 2028, Alaska Airlines will simultaneously integrate new Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners—originally intended for Hawaiian—into its Seattle base. While this signals a reduction in Hawaiian’s long-haul capacity, the group is counterbalancing these fleet cuts with a $600 million “Kahuʻewai” investment plan focused on modernizing airport infrastructure throughout the islands. This strategic consolidation underscores a drive for route profitability, effectively positioning Seattle as the primary gateway for the group’s global ambitions while streamlining Hawaiian’s operations for efficiency.