Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy for Dogs in 2026
See Hawaiian Airlines dog travel fees, cabin and checked-baggage rules, Hawaii-specific restrictions, and how to book your pet space.
Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy Overview
Hawaiian Airlines allows small dogs in the cabin on eligible routes and accepts dogs as checked baggage on certain domestic itineraries, but Hawaii quarantine rules and route restrictions are a major part of planning.
Hawaiian’s domestic Contract of Carriage Rule 19 is the core source for pet travel rules. Dogs traveling to Hawaii must also meet State of Hawaii import and quarantine requirements, and direct travel to neighbor islands may require a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit. Hawaiian also limits the number of kennels accepted per flight, does not accept interline pet transfers, and may refuse checked pets when environmental conditions are unsafe.
Last updated: 2026-03-25
How to Book Your Dog on Hawaiian Airlines
- Confirm your route first. Hawaiian allows dogs in the cabin only on inter-island flights and flights leaving the State of Hawaii. Pets are not accepted in the cabin on flights arriving into Hawaii, so many mainland-to-Hawaii trips require checked baggage or cargo planning instead. 2. Review Hawaii entry rules before you buy. If your dog is traveling to Hawaii, make sure you understand the State of Hawaii Animal Industry Division requirements, including vaccination, blood test, waiting-period, and permit rules where applicable. 3. Book your own ticket, then contact Hawaiian Airlines Reservations as early as possible to request pet space. Hawaiian recommends advance notification, and kennel space is limited on each flight. 4. Tell the agent whether your dog will travel in cabin or as checked baggage. If your itinerary touches a restricted market such as New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Utah, or American Samoa, Hawaiian’s passenger pet rules may not apply and you may need Hawaiian Air Cargo instead. 5. Choose an airline-approved carrier or kennel. For cabin travel, the carrier must fit under the seat in front of you and your dog must remain fully inside it in the airport boarding area, during boarding, deplaning, and throughout the flight. For checked travel, the kennel must meet Hawaiian’s acceptance rules and the total weight including kennel cannot exceed 70 pounds. 6. Prepare documents and timing. Bring any health or state-required paperwork, especially for Hawaii arrivals or direct neighbor-island entry. If your dog is traveling as checked baggage into Honolulu, Hawaiian states the pet will be taken to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection and pickup procedures. 7. Arrive early at the airport. Pet check-in takes longer than standard check-in, and Hawaiian may deny transport if paperwork, kennel standards, weather, or space requirements are not met. 8. Pay the applicable pet fee at check-in or as directed by the airline. Current published passenger pet fees are $35 or $125 for cabin travel depending on route, and $60 or $225 for checked baggage depending on route. 9. If your dog does not qualify under Hawaiian’s passenger pet rules, contact Hawaiian Air Cargo for a cargo quote and booking instructions.
Hawaiian Airlines vs Other Airlines
| Feature | Hawaiian Airlines | Alaska Airlines | Southwest Airlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-Cabin Fee | $35 within Hawaii; $125 Hawaii↔North America | $100 each way | $125 mainland; $35 between Hawaiian Islands |
| Cargo Fee | Varies via Hawaiian Air Cargo | Pet Connect/Cargo available separately; passenger pet program starts from $100 and baggage-compartment fee is listed at $150 on Alaska fee pages | No cargo pet program in standard passenger pet policy |
| Weight Limit | Checked kennel total up to 70 lb including kennel; no published combined in-cabin weight limit found on surfaced official page | Varies by carrier/kennel and travel option; official summary page does not publish one simple universal combined limit | No published combined pet+carrier weight limit on surfaced fee/contract pages; pet must fit in carrier under seat |
| Carrier Size | Must fit under seat; exact dimensions not published on surfaced official Rule 19 page | Under-seat carrier required for cabin pets | Carrier must fit under seat in front of customer |
| Breeds Restricted | No breed-specific ban found on surfaced official Rule 19 page; safety and environmental restrictions apply | Breed restrictions apply for pets in baggage compartment | No breed list surfaced in cited pages; small vaccinated domestic dogs accepted in cabin only |
| Booking Method | Call Hawaiian Airlines Reservations / provide advance notice | Book your ticket, then contact reservations to reserve pet space | Add pet by contacting Southwest; pet fee applies per carrier |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my dog fly in the cabin on Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii from the mainland?
No. Hawaiian’s pet rules state that pets are not accepted in the cabin on flights arriving into the State of Hawaii. Cabin pets are limited to inter-island flights and flights leaving Hawaii.
How much does Hawaiian Airlines charge for a dog in the cabin?
The published kennel fee is $35 each way for travel within the State of Hawaii and $125 each way for travel between Hawaii and North America.
How much does Hawaiian Airlines charge for a dog as checked baggage?
The published checked pet fee is $60 each way within Hawaii and $225 each way between Hawaii and North America, per kennel.
Does Hawaiian Airlines publish an in-cabin pet weight limit?
On the official Rule 19 page surfaced in search, Hawaiian does not publish a simple combined in-cabin pet-plus-carrier weight limit. For checked pets, the total weight including the kennel must not exceed 70 pounds.
Can I bring my dog on any Hawaiian Airlines route?
No. Hawaiian has route and jurisdiction restrictions. It does not transport pets under the passenger pet rules to or from New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, Utah, or American Samoa except through cargo services, and pets are not accepted in cabin on flights arriving into Hawaii.
Do I need to call Hawaiian Airlines to reserve pet space?
Yes. Hawaiian recommends advance notification through Reservations because the number of kennels accepted on each flight is limited and space is first come, first served.
What happens when my dog arrives in Honolulu as checked baggage?
Hawaiian states that for flights arriving in Honolulu, pets traveling in the baggage compartment are taken to the Airport Animal Quarantine Holding Facility for inspection and pickup.