First to phase out
03-22-2026 | 12:43 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 875
Likes: 181
From: Captain
03-22-2026 | 01:08 PM
#12
On Reserve
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 160
Likes: 131
The chances of that happening are 100%. Now I don't think that takes away the need for pilot basing in the islands, but having an HNL 717 base change to some aircraft that only the islands operate is zero. I will eat my uniform hat if it is anything but a 737. Less daily frequency of flights to carry the same amount of people on those inter-island flights, more aircraft utilization, reducing the fleet types at the airline, and AS can buy them for a song. You don't dedicate the airframes to the islands, so you don't have the long-term issues with NEO/MAX engine issues. Easy to have fold into the islands from the mainland, have mainland crews fly them in, go on rest to fly them home the next day, with HNL crews doing some laps between the islands. I would be absolutely shocked if this didn't happen exactly like I describe.
03-22-2026 | 01:53 PM
#13
Mmmm wine
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 351
From: The Jet
The only thing I'll disagree on a bit is the dedicated interisland fleet. It's going to be 737s, I'd guess ng's, and they're going to be painted in Hawaiian colors. Find your highest time low cycle 800s, send them to the islands and let them live the rest of their lives out there. No max engine issues. Then a few max 9s to replace the 321NEO with some being painted Hawaiian colors but most in Alaska paint. Most HNL-West Coast done by HNL based pilots, West Coast pilots take care of the outer Island overnights. That's what my money would be on(I wouldn't put a lot of money on it though, until airplanes actually start leaving it's all just a fun guessing game)
Where I would push back is that I actually think it is an advantage to fold the fleet into the larger network. Dedicated fleets offer vulnerabilities that can be eliminated if it is just any ETOPS 737 doing it. An AD affecting only NG, or a lack of spares, could be problematic.
I just hope AS does it right and keeps the spirit of inter-island flying, as close to what it is, as possible. I get having to streamline fleets, increase utilization, and cut the fat, but I want to see the HNL base stay and grow for pilots, and I want to see that unique flying stay unique. I still think a 737 is going to be doing it 100%.
03-22-2026 | 06:05 PM
#14
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 144
I like a curveball. I can see that happening too.
Where I would push back is that I actually think it is an advantage to fold the fleet into the larger network. Dedicated fleets offer vulnerabilities that can be eliminated if it is just any ETOPS 737 doing it. An AD affecting only NG, or a lack of spares, could be problematic.
I just hope AS does it right and keeps the spirit of inter-island flying, as close to what it is, as possible. I get having to streamline fleets, increase utilization, and cut the fat, but I want to see the HNL base stay and grow for pilots, and I want to see that unique flying stay unique. I still think a 737 is going to be doing it 100%.
Where I would push back is that I actually think it is an advantage to fold the fleet into the larger network. Dedicated fleets offer vulnerabilities that can be eliminated if it is just any ETOPS 737 doing it. An AD affecting only NG, or a lack of spares, could be problematic.
I just hope AS does it right and keeps the spirit of inter-island flying, as close to what it is, as possible. I get having to streamline fleets, increase utilization, and cut the fat, but I want to see the HNL base stay and grow for pilots, and I want to see that unique flying stay unique. I still think a 737 is going to be doing it 100%.
03-22-2026 | 06:12 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,387
Likes: 219
From: 737 FO
Why are you getting upset at others spitballing for fun? Go touch some grass man.
03-22-2026 | 06:22 PM
#16
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,627
Likes: 144
03-22-2026 | 07:06 PM
#17
Mmmm wine
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 351
From: The Jet
Yeah, I don't care, literally at all. It is a topic on a forum, because that's how forums work...
03-22-2026 | 07:07 PM
#18
Mmmm wine
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,791
Likes: 351
From: The Jet
03-22-2026 | 09:38 PM
#19
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 295
Likes: 44
Tell us you know nothing about airlines getting bought and route structures getting gutted without telling us you know nothing about airlines being bought and route structures getting gutted.
AS can absolutely adopt a similar model to SWA with regard to mainland aircraft flying in, and flying between the islands before it is sent back to the mainland.
If anyone thinks some shiny new airplane is going to do the island flying over a 737, I have some beachfront property in Iowa to sell you.
AS can absolutely adopt a similar model to SWA with regard to mainland aircraft flying in, and flying between the islands before it is sent back to the mainland.
If anyone thinks some shiny new airplane is going to do the island flying over a 737, I have some beachfront property in Iowa to sell you.
It would be a colossal failure to use a NEO or MAX to fully replace 717 flying, and you can’t keep the frequency required using the SWA model.
Go listen to your CEO’s one requirement for the 717 replacement aircraft at the JP Morgan event last week.
Yes, I agree it will VERY likely be a 737 variant that replaces the 717 but I will shocked if it’s a MAX anything. My money is also on low cycle Ng 700’s or 800’s.
03-23-2026 | 01:08 AM
#20
Line Holder
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 375
Likes: 37
From: FO Obvious
You missed my point entirely, and the long storied history of interisland flying since the dawn of the jet age.
It would be a colossal failure to use a NEO or MAX to fully replace 717 flying, and you can’t keep the frequency required using the SWA model.
Go listen to your CEO’s one requirement for the 717 replacement aircraft at the JP Morgan event last week.
Yes, I agree it will VERY likely be a 737 variant that replaces the 717 but I will shocked if it’s a MAX anything. My money is also on low cycle Ng 700’s or 800’s.
It would be a colossal failure to use a NEO or MAX to fully replace 717 flying, and you can’t keep the frequency required using the SWA model.
Go listen to your CEO’s one requirement for the 717 replacement aircraft at the JP Morgan event last week.
Yes, I agree it will VERY likely be a 737 variant that replaces the 717 but I will shocked if it’s a MAX anything. My money is also on low cycle Ng 700’s or 800’s.
*insert pawnstar meme*
Sorry, best I can do is some clapped out 800NGs.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
