According to Hawaiian Airlines pet policy:

  • Cats and dogs can travel in the passenger cabin.
  • Cats, dogs, and household birds can travel as checked baggage in the temperature-controlled, pressurized area of the aircraft.
  • Pets can also be shipped as air cargo.

Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy for In-Cabin Pets

Can my pet travel in the passenger cabin on Hawaiian Airlines?

Hawaiian Airlines pet policy allows small dogs and cats to travel in the passenger cabin. 

  • Pets Allowed. Only small dogs and cats are allowed in the passenger cabin.
  • Forms Required.
    • A health certificate, issued no more than 14 days before departure, on all flights to North America. The same health certificate can be used on return flights booked within 30 days of arrival on the same itinerary.
    • If flying within Hawaii, no health certificate is required.  
  • Pet Age.  Must be at least 8 weeks old.
  • Pet Reservations
    • After booking your ticket, inform Hawaiian Airlines that you’re travelling with a pet. 
    • Reserve at least 48 hours before departure. 
    • Reservations can be made by phone (1-800-367-5320) or at a ticket office.
  • Pet Fee
    • Within Hawaii—USD 35 (one-way).
    • Hawaii – North America—USD 175 (one-way).
  • Check-in
    • Check in physically at the airport at least 1 hour before general check-in. 
    • Passengers travelling with pets cannot check in online, via the mobile app, or at the airport kiosk.
  • Service Animals. Allowed to travel with the owner for free in the passenger cabin.
  • Emotional Support Animals. Will no longer be accepted unless they comply with the airline’s pet policy requirements.
  • Restrictions
    • Route Restrictions
      • Not allowed on flights to Hawaii.
      • Not allowed on international flights (incl. Pago Pago).
      • Not allowed on flights to/from New York – Boston and JFK.
      • Not allowed in the First-Class cabin on any North America flight.
    • Seating Restrictions. Passengers travelling with pets are not allowed to occupy bulkhead seats, emergency exit row seats, and seats on rows adjacent to emergency exit row seats.
    • Breed Restrictions
      • Travelling with snub-nosed dog and cat breeds is not recommended (but not prohibited).
  • Pet Carrier Requirements
    The pet carrier must be soft-sided and leakproof, and large enough to accommodate your pet comfortably. Your pet must remain inside its kennel at all times, and the kennel must remain under your front seat throughout the flight.

    Hawaiian Airlines pet policy also requires the following conditions to be met:
    • Maximum weight 25lb/11kg (incl. pet)
    • Maximum size 16in long x 10in wide x 9.5in deep
      (40cm x 25cm x 24cm)
    • Number of pets per carrier
      • Up to 2 puppies or kittens (same species)
      • Must be between 8 weeks and 6 months old
      • Must not exceed 25lb/11kg

Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy—Pets as Checked Baggage

If your pet is too large or heavy to travel in the passenger cabin, Hawaiian Airlines pet policy allows you to transport your pet as checked baggage. To qualify for travel, your pet carrier/kennel (plus pet) must not weigh more than 70lb/32kg or it will have to be transported as air cargo.

  • Pets Allowed. Dogs, cats, and household birds can be transported as checked baggage. 
  • Forms Required. 
    • All pets flying as checked baggage on Hawaiian Airlines to North America must have a health certificate, issued by a licensed vet no more than 14 days before departure. The health certificate is valid for return travel within 30 days. 
    • Pets must comply with all quarantine requirements.
  • Pet Age.  To qualify for travel, your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
  • Pet Reservations
    • Book at least 48 hours before your flight departs. 
    • You can book by phone (1-800-367-5320) or at a ticket office.
  • Pet Fee
    • Within Hawaii—USD 60 (one-way).
    • Hawaii – North America—USD 225 (one-way).
  • Restrictions
    • Route Restrictions
      Not accepted on:
      • International flights to/from Hawaii (incl. to/from Pago Pago).
      • International flights. 
      • Routes within North America.
      • Flights between April 15 – October 15 on flights to San Jose, Sacramento, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix. 
    • Breed Restrictions
      • Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds may not be accepted as checked baggage due to health reasons. 
  • Pet Crate Requirements
    Hawaiian Airlines pet policy does not allow the use of snap-sided crates or crates with doors that open from the top.
    • Crates must be hard-sided.
    • All crates must have absorbent material or pet pads.
    • 100-400 series crates are allowed as shown below:
Crate SeriesMaximum Size (L x W x H)Max. Weight
(Pet Crate + Pet)
10021in x 16in x 15in18lb
20028in x 20.5in x 21.5in25lb
30032in x 22.5in x 24in40lb
40036in x 25in x 27in70lb
  • All crates must have food and water bowls firmly attached to the door so that they can be accessed by the handlers.
  • A crate can house 1 adult pet only. However, up to 2 kittens and puppies of the same litter can share a crate if they are between 8 weeks to 6 months old. 2 household birds of the same breed can share a crate provided they are at least 14 days old. 

Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Policy—Pets as Cargo Baggage


If your pet does not qualify for travel in the cabin or as checked baggage, or you want your pet to travel unaccompanied, call Hawaiian Airlines Cargo at +1-844-HA-CARGO (933-2065) for more information.

  • Pets Allowed. Hawaiian Airlines transports dogs, cats, tropical fish, and crustaceans as air cargo. 
  • Forms Required. 
    • Pets flying as air cargo on Hawaiian Airlines to North America must have a health certificate, issued by a licensed vet within 10 days of departure and within 14 days of departure for flights to Hawaii. 
    • All documentation must comply with the requirements of the destination state. 
  • Pet Age.  To qualify for air cargo travel, the age of your pet must be at least 8 weeks.
  • Pet Reservations
    • Call Hawaiian Airlines Air Cargo customer service number. 
    • Book in advance. 
  • Pet Fee
    • Ask Hawaiian Airlines Air Cargo
  • Restrictions
    • Temperature Restrictions 
      • If the temperature falls below 45° F, an acclimation certificate will be required for dogs and cats.  
      • Pets will not be accepted as cargo if the temperature falls below 20° F.
    • Breed Restrictions
      • Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds may not be accepted as air cargo for health safety reasons. 
  • Pet Crate Requirements
    • 100-700 crate series are accepted.
    • The maximum weight of the crate plus pet must not exceed 277lb/125.90kg.
    • 700 crate series will not be accepted on Boeing 717 flights.

Travelling with Service Animals on Hawaiian Airlines

According to Hawaiian Airlines pet policy, a service animal refers to a dog that has been specifically trained to help a passenger with a disability—such as with regards to mobility, visual, or hearing. Service animals are allowed to travel in the passenger cabin of all Hawaiian Airlines flights free of charge. 

General Conditions of Travel 

  • The passenger must be able to prove through verbal assurance that the service animal is trained to perform tasks to assist the passenger. 
  • The number of service animals is limited to 2 per passenger. 
  • Forms Required. Hawaiian Airlines requires passengers to complete and submit the DOT Service Animal Form at least 48 hours before departure or carry it with them on the date of travel and submit it at the departure gate. On flights exceeding 8 hours, passengers will be required to fill out and submit the DOT Animal Relief Form.
  • Seating Restrictions. Passengers travelling with a service animal will not be allowed to occupy an exit row seat, a seat where the service animal is likely to obstruct the aisle or a seat that might hinder emergency evacuation. Service animals must not extend beyond the passenger’s floor space unless the adjacent seat is vacant, and may sit on the passenger’s lap only if they are no larger than a lap child.
  • Permits and Compliance. The passenger must obtain the required health certificates and entry permits required both the city of origin and final destination and produce them on demand.
  • Recommended Behavior. The service animal must be harnessed, tethered, or leashed at all times. It must not exhibit any signs of disruptive behavior, such as growling, barking, jumping on passengers, or defecating or urinating in the aircraft or airport (other than in the designated areas). 

Specialty purpose trained dogs trained in detecting explosives, drugs, rescue and search missions, and other specific areas are also allowed to travel free of charge, subject to meeting the following conditions:

  • The dog and its handler are travelling on official duty in connection with military or government duty and the handler’s credentials are valid and current.
  • The dog must be accompanied by its handler. 
  • The dog must be harnessed or leashed properly.
  • The handler travelling must occupy a non-exit row seat and the dog must be seated at the handler’s feet.

Emotional Support Animals 

Emotional support animals will no longer be accepted onboard unless they meet all the requirements of Hawaiian Airlines pet policy. 


Frequently Asked Questions on Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy

How much does Hawaiian Airlines charge for pets?

The applicable fee for transporting your pet is as follows: 
• For travel in the cabin (small cats and dogs): 
• USD 35—For travel within Hawaii.
• USD 175—For travel from Hawaii to North America.
• For travel in the baggage compartment (dogs, cats, and household birds): 
• USD 60—For travel within Hawaii
• USD 225—For travel between North America and Hawaii

Does Hawaiian airlines allow pets in the cabin?

Hawaiian Airlines allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic flights. 

How do I know if my pet qualifies for travel as checked baggage?

If your pet meets the following conditions, it can travel as checked baggage:
• Your pet can remain comfortably in its kennel throughout the flight. 
• Your pet is fully domesticated. 
• Your pet’s kennel meets the following requirements:
◦ The total weight of your pet plus its carrier/kennel is not more than 70lb/32kg.
◦ It is soft-sided and leakproof.
◦ It is large enough to allow your pet(s) to sit, stand upright, turn, and lie down naturally and comfortably.
◦ Its size does not exceed 16in (40 cm) in length, 10in (25 cm) in width, and 9.5in (24 cm) in height.
◦ It is in proper working condition to safely secure your pet(s) and ensure that your pet remains safely inside and cannot escape from it during the flight. 
• Your pet’s health documentation is in order.
• You’re not flying to Hawaii, on an international flight (incl. Pago Pago), to/from New York – Boston and JFK, or in the First-Class cabin on a flight within North America.

What is Hawaiian Airlines pet policy for cargo pets?

Hawaiian Airlines pet policy for cargo pets allows cats, dogs, tropical fish, and crustaceans to travel as air cargo, as long as they are at least 8 weeks old. Your pet must have a valid health certificate issued within 10 days of departure if your pet is being transported to/within North America, and within 14 days of departure if your pet is being transported to Hawaii. 

If your dog or cat is travelling to an area where the temperature falls below 45° F, you will be required to produce an acclimation certificate from a licensed veterinarian. However, if the temperature falls below 20° F, your pet may be denied permission to travel. 

The maximum weight of the crate plus your pet must not be more than 277lb/125.90kg. 100 – 700 crate series are acceptable (except 700 crate series on Boeing 717s).
You must make reservations in advance by calling Hawaiian Airlines Air Cargo customer service number. 

What is Hawaiian Airlines pet travel policy?

Hawaiian Airlines pet travel policy allows small dogs and cats (weighing up to 25lb/11kg) to travel in the passenger cabin on most domestic flights, as long as the size of the pet container does not exceed 16in in length, 10in in width, and 9.5in in depth.

Heavier and larger pets (dogs, cats, and household birds) weighing up to70lb/32kg are accepted as checked baggage on most domestic flights in 100-400 crate series. 

Hawaiian Airlines also accepts pets such as dogs, cats, tropical fish, and crustaceans as air cargo, as long as the total weight of the pet plus crate does not exceed 277lb/125.90kg. Crate series 100-700 are accepted on most cargo flights (except 700 crate series on Boeing 717s).

Remember, your pet’s health certificate and required documentation must be in order. 

What is Hawaiian Airlines pet policy to Hawaii?

Hawaiian Airlines does not accept pets on flights to Hawaii.

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