Alaska Airlines has completed the repainting of all four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners previously owned by Hawaiian Airlines. This change marks the end of the short-lived purple-and-orange ‘Pualani’ liveries, shifting to Alaska Airlines’ new ‘Global’ theme. This design, inspired by the Aurora Borealis, will temporarily retain the Hawaiian cabin interiors. The rebranding follows Alaska Airlines’ merger with Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, as the carrier integrates its identity into the Alaska brand.
Transforming the Fleet
The rebranding of Hawaiian’s former 787-9s was executed at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport over the past few months. The four aircraft, registered as N780HA, N781HA, N782HA, and N783HA, underwent significant livery makeovers. According to data from Flightradar24, the final aircraft, N783HA, returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 11, 2024, before entering service two days later with a flight to Honolulu International Airport.
A fifth 787-9, registration N784HA, was delivered to Alaska in an all-white livery and has since also been updated to the new Global livery. Alaska Airlines has received positive feedback regarding the new design, which replaces the classic “Chester” face on the tail with a deep blue and green palette inspired by the Northern Lights. The airline stated that each aircraft required nearly 1,000 hours of work over two weeks to achieve its striking shimmer effect.
Cabin Interiors and Future Plans
While the exterior of the aircraft showcases the Alaska brand, passengers can still enjoy a taste of Hawaii inside. Alaska has opted to maintain the Hawaiian cabin interiors temporarily, with plans for a retrofit to occur in the coming years. Each aircraft can accommodate up to 300 passengers across two classes: 34 in business and 266 in economy.
The business class features Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites, which were introduced in 2024. These suites offer fully lie-flat seats with privacy doors and 18-inch in-flight entertainment screens. The economy cabin is equipped with 266 lightweight Collins Aerospace Aspire seats, including 79 Extra Comfort seats designed for passengers seeking additional legroom.
As Alaska Airlines continues to expand its international presence, all five of its new 787s are now in revenue service. The carrier plans to introduce flights to London Heathrow and Rome Fiumicino from Seattle this spring, further solidifying its international network. Currently, the 787s operate on key Asian routes to Seoul and Tokyo Narita.
With the recent order for five additional 787 Dreamliners, Alaska Airlines is set to increase its fleet commitment to 17 aircraft. The airline will primarily operate the larger 787-10 model, which typically accommodates around 40 more seats than the 787-9, enhancing capacity even as the range may be affected. The future looks bright for Alaska Airlines as it continues to integrate the strengths of its new fleet into its operations.
