Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiian Airlines is the 10th largest commercial airline in the United States. Hawaiian Airlines operates flights between islands in the Aloha State and to and from Asia, American Samoa, Australia, French Polynesia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and the United States mainland. Your pets are part of your ‘ohana (family) and their comfort and safety are important to Hawaiian Airlines.
If you plan to fly with your pet on Hawaiian Airlines, here are some important up-to-date policies you’ll need to know. Being prepared and knowing what to expect can help you and Fido have a seamless journey.
The Booking Process
Hawaiian Airlines encourages you to provide 48-hour advance notification of your intent to travel with your pet by contacting its Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320. When planning to travel with cats and/or dogs you’ll need to first verify that the flight you’re taking allows pets. Then, call Hawaiian Airlines to buy your ticket and reserve a spot for your pet as soon as your travel plans have been finalized. There is a limit on the number of pets allowed in the cabin and reservations are on a first come-first serve basis. The airline representative will ask for your pet(s)’s name, breed and weight. You’ll also need to have your carrier dimensions (length, width and height) ready if they ask for that information.
There is limited capacity for pets traveling in the cabin (they are not permitted in the First Class cabin), and as checked baggage so book your travel as early as possible to guarantee your furry friend a spot. You’ll pay the additional pet fee when you arrive at the airport.
Please note, if advance notification that you are traveling with a pet is not possible, you must visit the Hawaiian Airlines check-in counter and notify an agent of your pet before proceeding to the gate. The booking process will take an extended amount of time and the airline recommends that you arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
Carrier
All animal carriers are subject to inspection and approval by Hawaiian Airlines before your animal is accepted for travel. Pets traveling in the cabin must be small enough to fit comfortably in the carrier under the seat directly in front of you. The carrier must be large enough to allow the animal to sit, stand upright, turn, and lie down in a natural position.
The pet and the carrier must not weigh more than 25 lbs in total.
Carriers must be soft-sided and leak-proof.
Pet carriers cannot exceed 16" x 10" x 9.5" for in-cabin travel.
Animal carriers are prohibited from bulkhead seats, emergency exit rows and rows adjacent to emergency exit rows.
Hawaiian Airlines will not accept more than one pet carrier for transport in the cabin per guest.
One (1) adult dog or cat to is allowed to occupy a single carrier, or 2 puppies or kittens of the same breed or litter *provided they are at least 8 weeks old and not more than 6 months old. The total weight of the animal(s) and the container must not exceed 25 pounds total. *
A pet carrier accommodated in the cabin of the aircraft will not count towards your carry-on baggage allowance.
Pets traveling in the baggage compartment should be secured in a hard-sided, leak- and escape-proof kennel with plenty of ventilation, and absorbent lining. The animal must not be leashed or restrained while in their kennel. The kennel must be large enough to allow the animal to sit, stand upright, turn and lay down in a natural position. The pet and carrier combined may weigh up to 70 lbs. If an animal and kennel exceed the maximum size or weight limitations, the pet will not be accepted for travel as checked baggage and will be referred to the Hawaiian Airlines Cargo department.
- For pets traveling in the baggage compartment, carriers must not exceed the dimensions 36" x 25" x 27".
Your pet must stay in its carrier with the door/flap secured at all times in the boarding area (during boarding and deplaning), and while onboard the aircraft.
Proper identification is especially important when traveling with your pet. Whether you are traveling with your pet, or someone is picking up your pet, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet’s destination on top of their carrier. In addition, make sure your pet has current and updated identification on a properly fitting collar or harness and consider having them microchipped.
Check-In
Because you can't pay the pet fee in advance, you won’t be able to check in to your flight more than four hours before departure. Plan to reach the airport with plenty of time, especially if your pet is flying as checked baggage. Hawaiian Airlines requires that you check in one hour before general check-in and have all applicable documents on you to help expedite the check-in process when traveling with your cat or dog. This will give you plenty of time to find a pet relief area at the airport.
When you arrive at the airport, you will need to go to the Hawaiian Airlines Counter to check in with your pet. At check-in, Hawaiian Airlines personnel will inspect your pet and carrier/kennel to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for your trip and collect the required health documents and one-way pet fee. The carry-on pet fee is $35 one-way for flights within the state of Hawaii, and $125 one-way for trips between Hawaii and North America. For pets as checked baggage, you’ll be charged $60 each way for flights within the state of Hawaii, and $225 each way for flights to and from North America. Remember to allow extra time at check-in to ensure your pet is ready for take-off.
Once you and your pet are checked in and have your boarding pass and pet tag, you are ready to go to the security checkpoint. At the checkpoint, you will need to take your pet out of its carrier. Your pet must remain in the carrier in the airport apart from at the security checkpoint and designated relief areas.
Save time and stress at the airport by creating your pet profile on BringFido’s website or mobile app for iOS or Android. You can upload your pup’s health records for one-touch access whenever you need them.
Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy
Cats and small dogs can travel in the cabin and as checked baggage on Hawaiian Airlines flights that go between the Hawaiian islands, and also to most destinations in North America. Household birds are also allowed to be transported as checked baggage. Pets are not permitted in the First Class cabin or on flights to or from John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and Pago Pago. Pets are not accepted on any international flights. With the exception of trained service animals, only cats and small dogs are permitted on board.
Carry-On Pets
Cats and small dogs are accepted for travel in the main passenger cabin on Hawaiian Airlines, subject to availability, for a fee of $35 one-way for flights within the state of Hawaii, and $125 one-way for trips between Hawaii and North America. Hawaiian Airlines will not accept more than one pet carrier for transport in the cabin per guest. They must be small enough to fit comfortably in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. The pet must be stowed under the seat, in its carrier during taxi, takeoff and landing.
Hawaii is a rabies-free state. Additional requirements and documentation are required for pets traveling to Hawaii and the airline recommends you contact the State of Hawaii Animal Industry Division regarding travel arrangements and fees to enter the State of Hawaii.
Pets in Cargo
Hawaiian Airlines permits your dog, cat, or household bird in the pressurized, temperature-controlled cargo compartment of the aircraft as checked baggage on its domestic routes between Hawaiian islands and North America. Hawaiian Air Cargo accepts most domesticated pets for shipping live animals.
Pets that do not meet the size requirements to fly in the cabin or baggage compartment can be shipped by Hawaiian Air Cargo. Pet owners will need to provide the animal’s health certificate, which must be issued by a vet within 10 days of the pet’s travel/shipment with Hawaiian Air Cargo.
Animals being shipped in cargo must be in carriers/kennels that meet the following requirements: * The kennel must be hard-sided with a solid top and is required to have ventilation on all four sides. * Hard-sided, plastic kennels with metal bolts are required, nuts may be metal, nylon or plastic as long as unbreakable and used to secure each hole provided on kennels. * The animal must be able to stand, sit, turn and lie down in a natural manner. * The shipper must supply a leak-proof container as well as absorbent bedding that is suitable for the animal. * Snap-sided kennels, modified snap-side kennels, adaptations (including the addition of nuts, bolts or screws), plastic and top-opening doors are prohibited. * All snub nose/brachycephalic breeds are required to be in a kennel one size larger than its normal kennel size. * Kennels must not exceed 48 x 32 x 35 and the combined maximum weight of the animal and carrier is 277 lbs.
Animals originating from a point outside the Hawaiian Islands must clear quarantine at the first point of entry. For additional info, contact the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), Animal Quarantine Station at 808-483-7171.
Due to respiratory difficulties that an animal may experience while in transit and in Hawaii’s tropical climate, it is highly discouraged and not recommended that brachycephalic animals travel as checked baggage. Brachycephalic or "short-nosed" dogs and cats must be transported in a carrier one size larger than needed if shipped in cargo. They may still travel in the cabin with their passenger provided their pet carrier fits under the seat.
If temperatures at the origin, destination, or connecting airports are below 45 degrees or exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, Hawaiian Airlines may decline acceptance in the baggage compartment or cargo area for the animal's welfare. A Letter of Acclimation is required for all pets traveling to/from all US cities from Oct. 16- Apr. 15. It must be issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian and dated within 10 days of travel for both the departure and return trips and include the shipper's name and address, type of animal and the specific low temperature that the animal can withstand. Your pet will not be allowed to travel if your document doesn't state a specific low temperature.
All owners of pets traveling in cargo must sign a live animal checklist at check-in confirming that the pet has been offered food and water within four hours of check-in. They must also provide all feeding and watering instructions for a 24-hour period. And, if in-transit feeding is necessary, the pet’s food must be provided by the owner. Your kennel must have two empty dishes (one for food and one for water) securely fastened to the inside of the kennel, yet accessible from the outside without opening the door. In the event of unforeseen delays, food supplied by the shipper is dispensed to the animal by a licensed veterinarian or local kennel. Hawaiian Air Cargo must comply with federal regulations which state that they must offer food for dogs/cats less than 16 weeks of age every 12 hours and every 24 hours for those over 16 weeks of age. A one-piece dish is permitted provided it is divided into two separate compartments. Food must be secured outside of the kennel in a sealed bag.
The fee for transporting pets via Hawaiian Air Cargo Pet Connect varies depending on weight and the destination and will be confirmed at the time of your booking.
Pertaining to all airlines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a temporary suspension of dogs (carry-on or checked), including fully-trained service dogs, traveling to the U.S. from a country considered high-risk for dog rabies.
For more information about Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy, restrictions and guidelines, check our Hawaiian Airlines travel page. For flights outside of the US, visit our International Pet Travel Page for information on restrictions and documentation.