Opinion: Will We See the Last of Hawaiian's Boeing B717

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It appears the Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines merger is on track to merge. Governor Green's press release on August 19th and no definitive word to block the merger from the Department of Justice, Hawaiian Airlines will benefit from the deal.

If the merger occurs, several things can happen. Alaska Airlines would maintain the number of inter-island flights Hawaiian Airlines has on its schedule. They could reduce the frequency of flights; therefore, Hawaii residents would have fewer inter-island flights.

Some Hawaii residents use inter-island flights to commute to work and home weekly. They could be affected with fewer inter-island flights.

Alaska Airlines is not guaranteed to maintain the current number of inter-island flights. Also, with the older Boeing B717 Hawaiian Airlines uses for its inter-island flights, Alaska Airlines might introduce its smaller aircraft with fewer seats to the inter-island market. Alaska Airlines uses the Embraer 175 aircraft for their shorter to mid-range flights with 76 wide seats.

Final Thoughts

If the merger occurs, Hawaiian Airlines' brand name will probably continue through Alaska Airlines. That is not a guarantee because Alaska Airlines will be the new owner. However, two changes to inter-island travel could happen.

There could be fewer inter-island flights. Hawaiian Airlines could also replace Boeing's B717 aircraft with Alaska Airlines' Embraer 175 76-seat aircraft.

In any case, the merger is good for Hawaiian Airlines. Southwest Airlines' introduction into the inter-island market has caused a price war that Hawaiian Airlines cannot win.