Alaska Airlines has officially completed the rebranding of Hawaiian Airlines’ former fleet of four Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. The aircraft, previously adorned with Hawaiian’s vibrant purple-and-orange ‘Pualani’ livery, have been repainted in Alaska’s new ‘Global’ theme, which draws inspiration from the Aurora Borealis. While the exterior has changed, the Hawaiian-themed cabin interiors will remain in place for the time being.
These Dreamliners, which have been in service for less than two years, showcased Hawaiian Airlines’ iconic “Flower of the Sky” as they flew across the Pacific. Following the merger between the two airlines in September 2024, Alaska Airlines is gradually integrating Hawaiian’s operations into its brand. Presently, Alaska Airlines is utilizing its 787s on routes to Asia and has plans to expand into Europe with new flights to London and Rome later this spring.
Details of the Rebranding
According to sources, all four of Hawaiian’s former 787-9s—registered as N780HA, N781HA, N782HA, and N783HA—underwent their livery transformations at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport over the past few months. The final aircraft, N783HA, returned to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on March 11, 2024, entering service two days later with a flight to Honolulu International Airport.
Alaska Airlines has reported that the new livery, which replaces the classic “Chester” face on the tail, features deep blues and greens intended to reflect the natural beauty of the Aurora Borealis. Each aircraft’s exterior design required approximately 1,000 hours of work over two weeks to achieve the shimmering effect. An Alaska Airlines spokesperson stated, “The exterior design draws inspiration from the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis, featuring a palette of deep midnight blues and lush emerald greens that channel the aurora’s energy and spirit of the Alaska brand.”
Passenger Experience Remains Hawaiian
While the exterior of the aircraft has transitioned to Alaska’s branding, passengers can still enjoy a taste of Hawaii when they board. The cabin interiors have been preserved in their original Hawaiian configuration, although Alaska plans to retrofit them in the coming years. The aircraft can accommodate up to 300 passengers, with 34 seats in business class and 266 seats in economy.
Notably, the cabins include Hawaiian’s Leihōkū Suites, which debuted in 2024. These suites offer fully lie-flat seats with privacy doors and 18-inch in-flight entertainment screens, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration for direct aisle access. The economy section features 266 lightweight Collins Aerospace Aspire seats, many equipped with 12-inch seatback screens, along with 79 Extra Comfort seats for additional legroom.
Expansion Plans and Future Routes
With all five of its 787s now in revenue service, Alaska Airlines is solidifying its international presence. The carrier has announced plans to extend its 787 operations to two new European destinations, specifically London Heathrow (LHR) and Rome (FCO), which are expected to launch this spring. Currently, the aircraft are operating on key routes to Seoul (ICN) and Tokyo Narita (NRT).
Looking ahead, Alaska Airlines aims to expand its international network, potentially increasing its number of destinations from Seattle to as many as 12 by 2030. Earlier this year, the airline placed an order for an additional five Boeing 787 Dreamliners, bringing its total commitment to 17 aircraft. The new additions will primarily be the larger 787-10 model, which offers increased seating capacity—typically around 40 more seats than the 787-9—though with a reduced range.
As Alaska Airlines continues to evolve its fleet and expand its international routes, the transition from Hawaiian to Alaska branding marks a significant step in the merger process while still honoring the legacy of Hawaiian Airlines.
