A Legend in Aviation History: Boeing 717 Airliners to be Retired

The era of the Boeing 717, a unique aircraft in the global aviation market known as the king of short-haul flights, is coming to an end. Alaska Airlines has officially announced that it will retire all liners of this model as part of a large-scale fleet modernization. This decision represents not just a technical update, but a complete shift in regional flight strategy. This is reported by news from.

According to Ixbt.com, starting in 2028, Alaska Airlines will begin phasing out the Boeing 717 aircraft in the Hawaiian Airlines fleet, replacing them with more modern and higher-capacity Boeing 737-800 models. This process is expected to be one of the most significant steps in the integration of Hawaiian Airlines into the Alaska Air Group.

A New Era for Inter-Island Flights

The new Boeing 737-800 liners will be primarily based at Honolulu Airport and operated by local crews. Through this change, the company's management plans to significantly increase passenger capacity on popular routes between the Hawaiian Islands. This will further improve transport convenience for domestic tourism and local residents.

The Boeing 717 model has a very interesting history in civil aviation. Initially, this aircraft was developed by the McDonnell Douglas corporation under the name MD-95. However, after the company merged with Boeing in 1997, the project was renamed Boeing 717. Designed for 110-125 passengers, this liner was specifically adapted to perform dozens of short-haul flights per day.

Few Operators and Technical Capabilities

Aircraft of this model were produced from 1998 to 2006, with a total of only 156 units coming off the assembly line. Currently, Hawaiian Airlines is the largest Boeing 717 operator in the world. The only other airline using this liner for commercial purposes globally is the US carrier Delta Air Lines.

The Boeing 717 stood out for its high reliability, rapid ground handling capabilities at airports, and adaptability to short runways. In complex geographical regions like the Hawaiian Islands, it has been an unrivaled means of transport for many years. However, modern aviation requirements, fuel efficiency, and environmental standards necessitate replacing older models with more modern alternatives.

Transitioning to Boeing 737-800 aircraft in the future will not only increase capacity but also reduce maintenance costs for Alaska Airlines. Having a fleet consisting of a single type of aircraft significantly simplifies logistics and spare parts supply. Thus, the Boeing 717, which has become a favorite among aviation enthusiasts, will completely leave the skies in the coming years.