Alaska Airlines operates an evolving fleet as of 2026, following its 2024 merger with Hawaiian Airlines. The combined operation spans from Boeing 737 narrowbodies that dominate the core Alaska network to Airbus A330 and Boeing 787 widebodies inherited from Hawaiian's long-haul operations. The fleet structure reflects a merger still in progress, with significant changes expected through the late 2020s.
This is a guide to every aircraft type in the Alaska-Hawaiian fleet in 2026.
Narrowbody fleet (Alaska mainline)
Boeing 737-700. The 737-700 seats 124 passengers in Alaska's configuration and is used primarily on short routes and in the airline's Horizon Air subsidiary until retirement.
Boeing 737-800. The 737-800 has been a core Alaska aircraft for years, seating 159 passengers in the airline's standard two-class configuration. It is used across the domestic network and on some international routes to Mexico and Canada.
Boeing 737-900ER. The stretched 737-900ER seats 178 passengers and serves higher-density Alaska routes. Alaska was one of the first major carriers to commit heavily to the 737-900ER, and the fleet remains a significant part of operations.
Boeing 737 MAX 9. Alaska operates a substantial fleet of 737 MAX 9 aircraft, seating 178 passengers. The MAX 9 replaced some 737-900ER capacity as the airline shifted toward newer aircraft. Alaska was one of the carriers affected by the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug incident in January 2024, which temporarily grounded the MAX 9 fleet worldwide.
Boeing 737 MAX 8. The MAX 8 entered Alaska's fleet more recently and seats 159 passengers. The aircraft is used on medium-density routes across the network.
Widebody fleet (Hawaiian legacy)
Airbus A330-200. Hawaiian Airlines operated a substantial A330-200 fleet for long-haul routes from Hawaii to Asia, North America, and Oceania. After the merger, these aircraft have been transitioning into Alaska's operation, though the specific integration strategy is still being finalized. The A330-200 seats 278 passengers in Hawaiian's configuration.
Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Hawaiian began receiving 787-9 aircraft in 2024, replacing older A330-200 widebodies on some routes and enabling longer new routes. The 787-9 seats 300 passengers in Hawaiian's configuration and represents the long-haul future of the combined airline.
Regional affiliate aircraft
Embraer E175. Alaska's regional affiliate SkyWest operates E175 aircraft on feeder routes under the Alaska Horizon brand. The E175 seats 76 passengers in a two-class configuration and handles routes that are too small for 737 operations.
Bombardier Q400. Horizon Air historically operated a large Q400 turboprop fleet on short routes in the Pacific Northwest. The Q400 has been progressively retired in favor of E175 jets. As of 2026, a reduced Q400 fleet remains active on specific short-haul Pacific Northwest routes where turboprop economics are favorable.
The Hawaiian integration
The Hawaiian Airlines merger adds widebody operations to Alaska for the first time. Alaska was historically an all-narrowbody carrier, and the integration of A330 and 787-9 widebodies is operationally significant. The combined airline has begun rationalizing the Hawaiian fleet, integrating maintenance operations, and planning the long-term fleet strategy.
Several questions remain unresolved as of 2026. Will Alaska continue operating the Airbus A330 long-term, or will the 787-9 take over all widebody flying? How will the Hawaiian-specific routes, particularly those to Pacific island destinations, be served going forward? The merger integration will shape the answers over the next several years.
Retired types
Boeing 737-400 (Combi) and 737-400F. Alaska operated the last combination passenger-freighter 737s in commercial service, which were used on specific routes in Alaska where the airline needed to carry both people and freight in the same aircraft. These were retired in 2017.
Bombardier Q200 and Q400 (older variants). Some older Q400s have been retired as Horizon transitions to the E175.
What to expect when booking
If you are flying Alaska on a domestic route, you are almost certainly on a 737 variant. The specific type depends on the route's capacity needs. If you are on a short regional flight in the Pacific Northwest or to a smaller market, you may be on a Horizon Q400 or E175.
For Hawaiian-operated routes, the aircraft is still most commonly an A330-200 or 787-9 for long-haul, and a 717 for interisland service in Hawaii. The interisland 717 operation is being wound down in stages as the merger integration progresses.
Fleet direction
Alaska's fleet strategy going forward appears to favor simplification. The airline has historically preferred to operate a small number of aircraft types for operational efficiency, and the Hawaiian merger has complicated that preference. The likely outcome is gradual standardization around the 737 MAX family for narrowbody flying and the 787-9 for long-haul, with the A330 fleet phased out over the late 2020s.
The E175 will remain the regional workhorse under the Alaska Horizon brand. The Q400 will continue to disappear. The interisland 717 operation in Hawaii will either wind down or be replaced by a different aircraft type better suited to the specific requirements of short-hop Hawaiian flying.
For passengers, the practical implication is that the Alaska experience will become more uniform over time, with fewer aircraft types and a more consistent product. The combined airline will continue to serve Hawaii, the Pacific Northwest, and the broader American network, but the fleet that delivers that service will be smaller in variety and larger in aggregate scale than either Alaska or Hawaiian operated independently.
