Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline in Hawaii. Pets are welcome to travel in the cabin and as checked baggage with Hawaiian Airlines. Visit Website

Or call (800) 367-5320 for more information. You can use BringFido to find a pet friendly place to stay at your destination.

Pets in the Cabin

Hawaiian Airlines welcomes small dogs and cats to fly in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights and flights between the State of Hawaii and the US Mainland, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 25 lbs (11 kg). Each passenger can travel with 1 carrier. Only 1 animal is permitted in each carrier, except for 2 puppies or kittens from the same litter or breed. There is a $35 fee for pets traveling in the passenger cabin on inter-island flights. For all other flights, the fee is $125 (each way). Pets are not accepted on international flights or flights to/from JFK, Boston or Austin.

Pets in Checked Baggage

Hawaiian Airlines welcomes dogs, cats, and household birds to be transported as checked baggage on inter-island flights and flights between the State of Hawaii and the US Mainland if the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 70 lbs (32 kg). The fee is $60 (each way) for inter-island flights and $225 (each way) for all other flights. Only 1 animal is permitted in each carrier, except for 2 puppies or kittens from the same litter or breed. In cases of extreme temperatures, Hawaiian Airlines reserves the right to restrict the transportation of your pet in cargo. Animals are not accepted as checked baggage from April 15 through October 15 from San Jose, CA; Sacramento, CA; Las Vegas, NV; and Phoenix, AZ.

Pets in Cargo

If the weight of your pet exceeds the weight limit permitted in the hold or Fido is traveling alone, you can transport them with Hawaiian Airlines Cargo Department. Contact them directly at 1-877-422-2746 for more information.

Carrier Guidelines

For pets traveling in the passenger cabin, carriers must be soft-sided, leak proof, and large enough to allow the animal to sit, stand upright, turn, and lay down in a natural position. They must not exceed the dimensions of 16" x 10" x 9.5" (40 cm x 25 cm x 24 cm). The animal is required to stay in the carrier throughout the journey. For pets traveling as checked baggage, kennels must be hard-sided. The maximum size for kennels in the hold is 36" x 25" x 27" (91 cm x 60 cm x 66 cm) for 717 aircraft and 40" x 27" x 30" (101 cm x 68 cm x 76 cm) for 767 aircraft.

Other Restrictions

Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds (short-nosed) are discouraged from traveling with Hawaiian Airlines. These breeds are American Staffordshire Terrier, Burmese, American Pit Bull Terrier, Exotic
Boston Terrier, Himalayan, Boxer, Persian, Brussels Griffon, Bulldogs, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Reviews

BringFido Guest Rating

Hawaiian Airlines has received a rating of 2.1 out of 5 bones by 17 canine critics on BringFido.

  • Nikita
    Jan 4, 2024
    Almost rejected because of new policy enforcement

    Had a Cavalier spaniel 15 lb in sherpa bag. Got rejected initially but after long please please please was allowed in. Honolulu to Hilo. Would not recommend to fly with pet in cabin on this airlines. They enforce rules about pet should stand inside without touching top of the bag

  • Nicole
    Nov 21, 2023
    ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS NEW POLICY

    We have flown inter-island numerous times with our 12 pound, small-sized dog and have never had issues. However, we had an absolutely AWFUL experience today. Apparently, Hawaiian Airlines had updated their policy to require that dogs flying in-cabin must be able to stand in an upright manner (their heads held at neutral, above-body height) while in their carrier. With a carrier height restriction of a measly 9.5", this is impossible for most dogs. When we called to reserve a spot for our dogs, we were only told the usual (i.e. carrier and weight limitations, and that dogs must be able to comfortably turn around and lie in their carrier). When we tried to check in with an agent at the guest services counter, she immediately glared at us and told us that she won't allow our dog on the plane. She was completely unsympathetic, unfriendly, and unhelpful. Her only solution was to leave and come back with a hard-sided carrier to throw her in cargo. After debating for some time, we just left and ran into another agent who was able to assist us and was extremely apologetic. Furthermore, the first agent almost denied entry for our tiny 8 pound dog! I completely understand that dogs should not be stuffed into a carrier without any space to move, but their new policy is way too strict. Just be warned that you may be denied entry if you encounter the wrong guest agent!

  • Summer
    Sep 4, 2023
    Hawaiian Airlines new pet carrier policy doesn’t make sense

    I flew from Maui OGG to Kauai LIH with my cat and she was taller than 9.5” (which is the max height for the soft sided pet carrier) and they were giving me a hard time because she couldn’t stand in her carrier. But not many cats can with that height restriction. I even had my friend bring a hard carrier for the cargo section but it was still too small. Their policy is obviously do not take into consideration the size of pets. Hawaiian Airlines was not very helpful And just shrugged and told me that rules are rules. But they let me go with the exception that when I fly back to Maui that I would get a new carrier for her.

  • Betty
    Jul 8, 2023
    New requirements are impossible

    The max size carrier of 16" x 10" x 9.5" are impossible, because I cannot find a carrier that isn't at least 17"! Before this was never a problem, but now with the new requirements I almost got turned away when taking my cat to the vet the other day. The gate agent at Kona was very curt, brought out a tape measure, told me I couldn't bring her in the cabin! I eventually was let onto the plane, but not until after a lot of back-and-forth. If there is a carrier that anyone knows of that fits their requirement for size, PLEASE share!

  • M
    Jun 28, 2023
    Quarantine employees in Oahu

    Reminded me of DMV employees. Heartless, cold, hating life and definitely hating their jobs. Can’t even look at you when communicating. If you don’t play along with their mood they will complicate things for you. Luckily my wife is skilled at working with entitled people as a hotel front desk agent. She was able to stroke the lady’s egos just enough to get our dogs processed in time. We almost missed our connecting flight to Maui from California because the quarantine employees seemed to have some office drama going on between them. My advice: if going to an outer island be sure to use the direct release program.

  • Sid
    Jun 15, 2023
    BEWARE of new HA in-cabin policy…

    Am at Honolulu (HNL) awaiting return to Kona (KOA), from where we left two days ago. At the Services desk, where one needs to check in with a pet, I was immediately denied because the agent said my 12 pound dog could not comfortably stand in his soft-sided kennel. Mind you, this is a regulation-size soft sided kennel in which he travels to and from Boston on two 6-hr legs usually via Seattle on excellent Alaska Airlines. We make the round trip twice annually and use the very kennel in which he arrived to HNL on a Hawaiian flight 51 hours ago. Speaking of his fellow Kona-based HA agents he said “they were wrong” to allow me to depart Kona, that there were new rules implemented on June 1 and, other than presenting a printed sheet of paper showing Hawaiian’s new policy, was unwilling to assist me. Distressed and nearly furious, I awaited another agent who at least had the good sense to contact a supervisor. About 30 minutes later (!) a supervisor named Wendy approached, apologized for her delay, explained the policy and allowed me to check in. The new policy apparently does not allow a pet whose head would extend above the carrier when unzipped to travel in the cabin. So you might be able to travel with a 5 pound Chihuahua or heavier low-slung dog. If this BringFido site still shows the image of a small, bright-eyed white canine with its head extending through its soft-sided kennel then BEWARE of travel on Hawaiian with any pet similar in size. My little guy is smaller than that and we almost got stranded at HNL, trying only to return home on a 49 minute flight.

  • Susan
    Apr 11, 2019
    Hassled every time in Oahu

    I have traveled many times with my Dogue De Bordeaux as a service dog and know all the rules and paperwork required....Hawaiian Airlines in Kona and Hilo and Seattle are wonderful...every time I have to go through Oahu even on inter’-island they are rude and try to tell me why my dog cannot go on the airplane....inter-island Oahu asked for my paperwork...the only thing they are allowed to ask me is does my dog provide a service and what that is...This time I got right in her face and all of a sudden my dog was allowed through without them needing anything...interesting. Once I came through Seattle to Oahu and on to Kona and here they go again at H.A. Oahu counter. This supervisor had me in tears trying to refuse me because my letter was on the doctor’s prescription pad instead of letterhead...wow, really? Seattle didn’t mind, no one else ever had a problem with it ever....This woman was horrible...another woman at the counter came up to me and said if I just wouldn’t have shown the letter, they would have allowed me through...Really?? Incredible...
    I love flying Hawaiian Airlines and will continue to do so now that I know their game in Oahu

  • Derek
    Dec 10, 2018
    Great expirence

    While vacationing on Kauai last February we adopted "Shamu" our 4 year old black lab... Little did we know when adopting him that nobody would fly him back to Massachusetts for us.... except Hawaiian. We flew Shamu home via cargo and he was just fine!

    The Humane Society was incredibly helpful in ensuring that we had all the correct paperwork for Shamu - but made one small mistake on his medical sheet. It wasn't a huge problem they quickly drew us up a new one and we ran over to get it (Only a few miles away).

    If you make sure you get to your flight early and you have the proper paperwork easy peasy!

    I attached a nice little letter introducing himself to the airline staff and a little bag of candy for them as well. They treated our boy with much aloha and he had a great flight home.

    The only caution I will give is if you are flying your dog into a cold climate... BEWARE! You MUST watch the weather reports like a hawk or your dog may not fly.

  • Hikari
    More than a year ago
    Not Pet Friendly

    Filed a federal complaint against Hawaiian. I flew 3 different carriers with my pet and Hawaiian, the 4th carrier gave me the MOST problems. I checked in 3 hours before my flight from San Diego to Honolulu and they made me wait 2 hours while they went to process authorization. They then said they would make an exception and let me fly. I should have made them not make the exception as the Federal complaint was excused because the airline did allow me to fly. Big deal, they just got away with discrimination and will continue to do this over and over again. I guess they truly don't want to accept pets and if so, them they should just NOT do it.

    Also, it is NOT Hawaii Quarrantine that doesn't allow the pets in the cabin as many are told. It is the AIRLINES who are refusing to allow the pets in cabin into Hawaii. Kudos to ALASKA AIR. They have no become my go to airline!!

  • Anna
    More than a year ago
    No wagging tails

    desk lady asked how old my pet was and before I could say the month she insiseded on calling the supervisor saying my dog wasn't old enough. After explaining my pet was over 8 weeks old and missing my flight I find out that no where does it say pets need to be 8 weeks old. The ONLY reference to a pets age is when considering to put two in one container when flying

  • Joni
    More than a year ago
    Unresponsive!

    We have actually decided to not fly Hawaiian anymore into Hawaii because they will not allow,our dogs in the cabin with us. I have tried very hard to speak with their public relations/customer service people at corporate to try to change this, but they absolutely will not respond. The people you get on the phone when you call their 800 number simply say it is "Hawaii State Law". I tried to explain to them that the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture told me directly that is not true. Although, you must go through a tremendous amount of red tape, the requirement to place the dogs in cargo coming into Hawaii is Hawaiian Airlines rule, not the state's. Alaska Airlines does allow small dogs to fly in the cabin with you coming into Hawaii. I hate to change Airlines, but my babies are too important to put through that kind of trauma.

  • Cheryl West
    More than a year ago
    Terrified

    After the tremendous amount of paperwork Hawaii requires to bring your dog you would certainly expect Hawaiian Aire to accommodate travelers with their beloved pets. We are moving the Maui with our two dogs but am thinking twice of travelling Hawaiian Air.

  • Ann
    More than a year ago
    Maui airport is the worst

    I fly back and forth from oahu to maui at least once or twice a month and always fly w my dog as an emmotional support animal. I purchased a Noa pass which allows me 60 segments for the same price at anytime. I rarely know exactly when I fly and purchased the pass so I didn't have to deal w chance fees or hikes in last minute prices. I usually book my ticket 3 or 4 hrs prior to leaving.
    Flying w my dog is not a problem leaving honolulu. I usually call in to notify them I will be flying w her the moment I get my ticket. At the counter in honolulu, they follow procedure and do the checklist for my letter. I also make a copy for them so they don't have to go in the back to make a copy. They approve the letter, because I got it written exactly how they want it (that process is a whole other story) and they send me on my way.
    However, on Maui, they have consistently given me issues. They take my letter in the back and review it for over 20 mins leaving me w no one to talk to. They then say they need to review it w their supervisors and send the letter to someone up top. Honolulu does not to this, their staff are trained to process the letter. They are rude on maui. They tell me I need to not only call but also send in a copy of the letter 48 hrs in advance. This is not possible for people who travel frequently between islands and often book their flight only a fews hrs in advance. Further, sometimes I do not have access to a scanner or fax machine for the couple days I'm on maui. Everytime I'm on maui, the rude staff mention this woman Kristen Foster who apparently makes all these ridiculous rules and makes it a headache for people who travel w pets. I'm not sure why she is involved so much on maui, yet I never hear her name on oahu. I've heard other reviews where she has made life very difficult for people to fly w pets. Honest people, who are trying to follow the rules (which constantly chance) should not be treated this way. It is obvious that hawaiian airlines is trying to discourage people from flying w pets. Further, this ridiculous policy that they have come up w is not mandated by the federal government. I have flown on island air and they happily let my emmotional support dog on the plane w out any documentation and they also didn't even try to charge me. There is no one to talk to at hawaiian airlines about this issue. You are at the mercy of the staff at the check in desk. Even when u get your ducks in a row and follow their procedures, they come up w something else. This complaint is only directed at the staff at maui airport and this woman Kristen foster. Honolulu staff have been nothing but professional and kind. I hope hawaiian airlines looks into the rude behavior and irrational policies coming from the maui staff and Kristen foster.

  • Celia
    More than a year ago
    Not accomodating Pet

    I was to travel Alaska originally which had electrical problems. They purchased a ticket on Hawwaiian to accommodate me with my 4 lb chuahua. I was attempting to make my schedule with quarantine on a direct release from Las Vegas to Kahului HI. After I ran clear to the other end of the terminal the representatives would not let me on w/o a certificate from my Dr. stating I had special needs/assistance. in order for Zorro to ride in the cabin with me. I'm not impressed now that I read there policy and it states he could have flown with a $175 charge. Instead I ran back to Alaska which was great in the end. My poor dog was stuck in his kennel w/o bathroom from 4:45 AM LV time to 11:30 PM LV time when we arrived in Kahalui 8:30 PM. It just wasn't right.
    I showed all my paperwork for the 5 day or direct release program which should have sufficed.

  • Mike richards
    More than a year ago
    Happy, happy ,happy

    I found the Hawaiian Airlines employees to be very friendly and helpful , I shipped my 106 lb. bull mastiff thru their cargo dept. from Seattle to Honolulu. It took only a few minutes to check him in. He arrived happy and healthy. I would recommend them to anyone who wants problem free transport of their dogs

  • Michelle
    More than a year ago
    not pet friendly

    I flew my 69 lb lab two yrs ago with Hawaiian and still can get over what happened. This is why i am writing another review if it keeps anyone else from going what we went through its worth it. My dogs flight from Seattle to Hilo was 16 hours. When i got to Oahu i ended up with a 5 hour wait to go to Hilo I tried to bump my dog to a earlier flight and was told i could. Was told to get a big cart and bring him from agriculture to the counter, after looking for a half hour for the cart only to be told i was that i could not use them, went back to tIcket counter only to have a new employee there who told me i could not bump him up and wanted to know who told me that. I explained that the previous employee told me, she wanted to know the persons name ( i did not know) she then told she me she could not help me but called a supervisor and tha'ts when things went very downhill. I wanted her to try and reach cargo as they were closed on the weekend ( which it was ) she would not and told me my dog was not flying from Oahu to Hilo in baggage because no dogs do. At that time i told her i was booked to Hilo through cargo and she wanted proof, cargo does not give you inter Island paperwork till you arrive at cargo so i had nothing to show her for the second half of the flight to Hilo. I think at this point she thought I was lying as she became rude, and nasty. she told me if i thought my dog was flying cargo than i should go there. I asked her where cargo was and she said at cargo i then again asked her where cargo was and she again nastily said at cargo, i then where is cargo located and she raised her voice and said at cargo. As i was walking away a employee whispered to me its on Elliott st. I then spent then next hour trying find a place to stay for the weekend in Oahu ( since the supervisor told me my dog was not flying and it was the weekend and when you call cargo it said it was closed ) could not find any opening to stay that would take a dog. I then called my husband in Hilo in tears telling him that i was more than likely going to rent a van and spend the weekend in a parking lot with our dog till i could talk to someone at cargo on monday. I then called a taxi and the driver was incredible he could tell i was very distressed and i told him what was happening and he told me dogs fly out of cargo all the time to Hilo and that cargo was open for dogs going out. He also told me that if for some reason they were not open he would help me so i did not have to sleep in a rented van. He also took my dog to a dog park so he could get out of his kennel for a short time. He took me to cargo and they were expecting and waiting for my dog and yes my dog was flying in baggage to Hilo just like I told the supervisor at Hawaiian. I paid $816.00 for my dog to fly from Seattle to Hilo and were abused for that money. Saddest of all was that the Hawaiian supervisor could have reached cargo and it would have been cleared up instead she chose not to help me and on top of it treat me very rudely. I complained to Hawaiian airline and they came back and said it was a misunderstanding and gave me 1000 miles. No apology for the treatment i received from her. we no longer fly Hawaiian. We own property on the big island and now use Alaska Airlines and its only $100 dollars each direction for your pet to fly, it goes in baggage not cargo. They allow you to put you dog on right before the flight, no 3 hours early in cargo ( which is just plain cruel. A vet meets us in Kona and inspects our dogs paperwork and then we drive to Hilo. I do not think Hawaiian should be allowed to fly pets especially when they are unwilling to help you if there is a problem. More than anything i am glad our dog survived, he was so traumatized it was horrifying. i do not want anyone to go through what we went through.It was one of the most traumatizing thing I have been through. I take responsibilty for using Hawaiian cargo and learned a hard lesson from it never again. We even canceled our Hawaiian credit card.

  • Lila
    More than a year ago
    Very Pleased

    On our move to Hawai with our dogs, Hawaiian was very Helpful. When we boarded we told the flight attendant that we had 2 dogs in cargo. He went to check that they were boarded, then went to check himself. They were under the pilots where the fresh air comes in and they kept the light on for them. When we got them from the animal office -they were ready for release as soon as we landed, got our bags and got to the office. They were very helpful in making our and our dogs flights very comfortable.

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