Hawaiian Airlines will upgrade Airbus A330s after losing Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Alaska
January 6, 2026
Hawaiian Airlines will retrofit its Airbus A330 cabins with new interiors, the airline has announced. The decision to refurbish the Airbus long-haul aircraft comes after the airline’s uniquely designed Boeing 787 Dreamliners were reallocated to serve Alaska Airlines’ own long-haul ambitions.
Hawaiian Airlines $600 million investment in the Airbus A330
Now part of Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines has announced it will invest over $600 million over the next five years “to comprehensively enhance the experience for guests travelling to, from and within the islands.”
Hawaiian Airlines’ Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan includes modernising airport spaces, upgrading technology, and retrofitting the interiors of the Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline’s airport customer service and in-flight crew will be equipped with modern tools and spaces to welcome travellers with their signature Hawaiian hospitality.
The investment will also help Hawaiian advance lower-emission technologies and programs that promote regenerative tourism, culture, and conservation.
“Hawaiian Airlines is proud to call Hawai‘i home, to reflect the spirit of the islands, to take care of our local guests and welcome visitors, and support our communities,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, Chief Executive Officer, Hawaiian Airlines, in the announcement.
“Our Kahu‘ewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan represents one of Hawaiian Airlines’ largest single investments in our infrastructure, products and services in Hawai‘i. It reflects our kuleana to our people and guests in the islands and reinforces our commitment to deliver safe and remarkable service that enables Hawai‘i and Hawaiian Airlines to thrive.”
The airline explains that, in Hawaiian, Kahu‘ewai means “fresh water bursting forth”—an essential resource. Similarly, the airline hopes the investment will help sustain its future.
Hawaiian Airlines’ distinctively Hawaiian Boeing 787 Dreamliners are now destined for Alaska’s global routes
Before its acquisition by Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian had invested in new Boeing 787 Dreamliners for its long-haul service, featuring unique cabins that Hawaiian’s team developed with support from Seattle-based designers at TEAGUE. These included motifs inspired by Hawaiian nature and culture.
The 300-seat aircraft is equipped with a two-class configuration, featuring 34 business class suites and 266 main-cabin seats. The airline installed its bespoke Leihōkū Suites in business class, in a 1-2-1 configuration. The suite is based on the Adient Aerospace Ascent platform, which converts to a fully flat bed and features a sliding privacy door with centre seats separated by a retractable screen.
The main cabin seats are 17”-wide Collins Aerospace Aspire seats configured 3-3-3 with a 31″ pitch, though 79 extra-comfort seats offer a 36” pitch.
In August of last year, Alaska Airlines announced that those Dreamliners would be painted with a new global livery and serve its route expansions to Europe. While Pualani would vanish from the aircraft’s tail, the fate of the interiors on those aircraft is still uncertain.
AGN asked Hawaiian Airlines about this when the airline retired its call sign this past October. An airline spokesperson would not address a direct question on the Dreamliner cabins, only saying that the airline would retain “the Hawaiian brand across Hawaiian’s operations, including in our airport spaces such as lobbies and lounges, and on the livery of our aircraft flying to, from and within the islands. Guests will also continue to enjoy our Hawaii-inspired cabins.”
Airbus A330 gets interior upgrade for Hawaiian Airlines’ long-haul routes
Without the Dreamliners, Hawaiian is now making its Honolulu-based Airbus A330s the centrepiece of its new cabin branding. Hawaiian is acquiring three of its A330 aircraft off-lease to support its Pacific service.
The airline has shared very few details on its plans for the new cabins so far, with no renderings. The airline stated the interior upgrade will begin in 2028, “with new seats, carpets, lighting, first class suites, and a premium economy cabin.”
Based on this description, the A330 cabin would have a three-class configuration, compared with the two-class arrangement on the airline’s present Airbus A330s and Boeing 787s. The premium economy cabin would be a new feature for the airline, which has maintained a standard main cabin with some seats offering extra legroom. If Hawaiian selects a truly distinctive premium economy seat, passengers will benefit from a genuine upgrade.
The introduction of first class suites in place of business class may be a reclassification of a similar cabin hardware. The final product reveal will determine whether it is truly a step up from the Dreamliner’s Leihōkū Suites.
The airline also promises that “guests will enjoy a Bluetooth-enabled in-flight entertainment system with high-definition seatback screens and an extensive movie and music library, along with fast and free Starlink WiFi.”
Hawaiian’s ground experience gets an upgrade too
The airline has revealed more details on its planned investment in the airport experience. Over the next three years, Hawaiian Airlines will renovate its lobbies and gates in Honolulu, Līhu‘e, Kahului, Kona and Hilo to improve passenger flow and comfort.
The design offers bright, open spaces and improved seating and amenities, including increased power charging.
In Honolulu, the airline will build a 10,600-square-foot premium lounge at the entrance to the Mauka Concourse in Terminal 1.
The Kahuʻewai Hawai‘i Investment Plan at least confirms that Alaska will maintain a distinctive identity for the Hawaiian Airlines brand, which will be welcome news to its loyal customer base.
Featured Image: Hawaiian Airlines
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