The Boeing 717-200 is Hawaiian Airlines' workhorse for inter-island travel, offering a comfortable two-class configuration. With Business Class featuring 37-inch pitch and Economy with 29-31 inches, this narrow-body aircraft prioritizes efficiency on short regional routes. Understanding seat selection can significantly enhance your island-hopping experience.
Hawaiian Airlines' Boeing 717-200 features a 2-2 Business Class layout and 2-3 Economy layout optimized for short inter-island flights. Best seats are 2A and 3A in First Class, or 4A/4B and 17A/17B/18A/18B in Main Cabin for extra legroom and window views. Avoid middle seats (C and E columns), rear rows 26-27, and all F-position seats due to galley/lavatory proximity and limited recline.
The Boeing 717-200's tray tables are compact and moderately stable for 15-inch laptops, though diagonal positioning is necessary for optimal balance on the narrowbody frame. Hawaiian Airlines offers its own branded WiFi network (name varies by flight) with typical real-world speeds of 4-8 Mbps download, suitable for email and light browsing but unreliable for video conferencing. Power outlets are absent in Economy and limited in Business Class, with only occasional USB-A ports (2.1A standard) near some premium seats - no AC or USB-C availability on this aircraft type. The 6-inch IFE touchscreen and lack of Bluetooth audio support mean you'll need wired headphones and should rely on personal device entertainment for serious remote work.
The 717-200 maintains a cabin altitude of approximately 7,200 feet, slightly higher than modern widebodies, with humidity typically 30-40% on inter-island routes. Engine noise is pronounced throughout the cabin due to the narrowbody fuselage and CFM56 engines, with the loudest zones occurring at rows 12-18 directly above the wing root. Rows 2-4 in Business Class experience the quietest environment due to forward positioning away from engine vibration and the aerodynamic shielding of the cockpit bulkhead. Seats 1A and 1B are your best bet for sleep or focused work, benefiting from engine noise attenuation and minimal galley traffic.
Hawaiian Airlines uses door L1 (forward left) as the primary exit for both Business and Economy passengers, with L2 occasionally opening on full flights to accelerate deplaning. On a completely full 717-200 (approximately 124 passengers), Business Class deplanes in 2-3 minutes, while the full Economy cabin clears in 8-12 minutes depending on connection momentum. At Honolulu International Airport (HNL), Hawaiian's primary hub, a minimum 45-minute connection time is comfortable for inter-island flights, though 60 minutes is recommended if transiting to mainland or international services due to TSA screening.
Book seat 2A or 2B in Business Class for overnight routes - maximum privacy, minimal foot traffic, and direct aisle access for uninterrupted sleep. Skip the meal service on red-eyes; the dining cart's clatter will disrupt sleep cycles, and you'll arrive fresher if you eat a light meal before boarding. Bring a lightweight neck pillow (the 717's seat width is tight for side-sleeping) and a compression eye mask; the cabin's dry pressurization makes these non-negotiable. Optimize arrival by adjusting to local time immediately, stepping into morning sunlight at your destination, and avoiding the galley areas during deplaning - exit via L1 first if booked in Business to avoid Economy bottlenecks.
Hawaiian Airlines designates the first few rows as Business Class with a premium 2-2 seating layout. With 37 inches of seat pitch and wider seats at 18.5 inches, Business Class provides the most comfortable experience on this aircraft. The cabin offers direct aisle access from all seats, ideal for frequent inter-island travelers seeking extra legroom and priority boarding. Eight total Business Class seats ensure an intimate cabin experience without the formality of larger international aircraft.
Economy Class comprises the majority of the Boeing 717-200 with a 2-3 seating configuration. Seat pitch ranges from 29-31 inches, which is standard for regional aircraft but can feel tight on longer inter-island routes. The 18-inch seat width is typical for narrow-body aircraft. Economy passengers benefit from the aircraft's overall efficiency, with shorter flight times between islands and frequent daily service options. The aft cabin does feature some proximity to galleys and lavatories, particularly in rows 26-27.
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
2A | First Class | Window seat with premium pitch, optimal for viewing Hawaiian islands during approach |
3A | First Class | Bulkhead window position with extra legroom and unobstructed views |
4A | Main Cabin | Forward main cabin window with good pitch and priority amenities access |
4B | Main Cabin | Forward cabin aisle access with extra legroom from bulkhead proximity |
17A | Main Cabin | Mid-cabin window position away from galley interference and lavatory queues |
17B | Main Cabin | Mid-cabin aisle seat for convenient lavatory access without noise disruption |
18A | Main Cabin | Exit row window seat with significantly more legroom and panoramic views |
18B | Main Cabin | Exit row aisle seat with maximum stretching space for longer inter-island flights |
Seat | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|
4D, 4E, 4F | Main Cabin | Bulkhead row with restricted legroom, potential galley noise, and limited recline |
26-27 | Economy | Last rows near rear galley and lavatories with maximum noise and foot traffic |
All F seats | Economy | Right-side rear position consistently near lavatories with odor and queue disruption |
C, E seats | Economy | Middle seats in 2-3 configuration offer no window or direct aisle access, cramped experience |
First Class (Business Class) offers 37-inch pitch, wider 18.5-inch seats, and all aisle access in a 2-2 configuration. Main Cabin Economy provides 29-31 inch pitch with 18-inch seats in a 2-3 layout, offering standard regional aircraft comfort for shorter inter-island flights.
Exit row seats (18A and 18B) provide the most legroom on the 717-200. First Class seats throughout offer the next-best pitch at 37 inches. Bulkhead rows (like 4A/4B) also provide extra space but may have limited recline.
Yes, avoid rows 26-27 at the rear near galleys and lavatories, all F-position seats due to lavatory proximity, and middle C and E seats which lack window or aisle access. Row 4 D/E/F positions also have restricted legroom due to bulkhead placement.
Inter-island flights on the Boeing 717-200 typically range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, making the aircraft ideal for quick island hops. Even with standard Economy pitch of 29-31 inches, most passengers find the flights comfortable given the short duration.
The Boeing 717-200 is a regional aircraft optimized for short flights, so amenities vary by airline configuration. Hawaiian Airlines focuses on quick service with friendly staff rather than extensive in-flight entertainment systems typical of larger aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines allows advance seat selection through their website or mobile app. Premium seats in First Class and exit rows may incur additional fees depending on your fare class and frequent flyer status.
