Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy 2026: Fees, Carriers & Rules

Planning a trip with your dog or cat? Hawaiian Airlines now part of the Alaska Airlines family offers some of the most detailed pet travel options of any U.S. carrier, but the rules are strict and easy to get wrong. From quarantine laws unique to Hawaii to weight limits, breed restrictions, and a now-suspended cargo program, there’s a lot to know before you book.

What is Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy?

Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy permits small dogs and cats to travel in the cabin, and dogs, cats, and household birds as checked baggage, on inter-island and select transpacific routes. Pets must meet carrier, weight, breed, and health-certificate requirements. Trained service dogs fly free, but emotional support animals are treated as regular pets.

Here’s the big picture at a glance:

One detail many travelers miss: pets cannot fly into Hawaii in the cabin due to the state’s animal quarantine laws. Only service animals are exempt.

How much is the pet fee on Hawaiian Airlines?

Hawaiian Airlines charges a pet fee of $35 each way for in-cabin travel on inter-island flights and $125 each way between Hawaii and North America. Checked-baggage pet fees are $60–$65 inter-island and $225 to or from the U.S. mainland. Fees are charged per carrier, each way. Trained service dogs travel free.

Hawaiian Airlines pet fee breakdown

Cost example: A round-trip from Honolulu to Los Angeles with your cat in the cabin would cost $250 total ($125 each way). The same trip with a larger dog as checked baggage would run $450 total ($225 each way).

What is the Hawaiian Airlines pet in-cabin weight limit?

The combined weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 25 pounds for in-cabin travel on Hawaiian Airlines. The pet must be able to stand, sit, and turn around comfortably inside an approved soft-sided carrier. Pets exceeding this limit must travel as checked baggage or cargo instead.

For checked baggage, the limit is higher: the pet and kennel combined must not exceed 70 pounds.

Quick reference:

• In-cabin limit: 25 lbs (pet + carrier)
• Checked baggage limit: 70 lbs (pet + kennel)
• Minimum age: 8 weeks old and weaned

Can I take my 30-pound dog on a plane with Hawaiian Airlines?

No, a 30-pound dog cannot fly in the cabin on Hawaiian Airlines because the in-cabin limit is 25 pounds including the carrier. A 30-pound dog must travel as checked baggage (up to 70 lbs with kennel) or via Hawaiian Air Cargo, both of which require an IATA-approved hard-sided crate and a health certificate.

Real-world scenario: Say you have a 30-lb beagle flying from Maui to Seattle. Because she’s over the cabin limit, you’d book her as checked baggage for $225 each way, place her in a hard-sided IATA crate, and provide a health certificate dated within 14 days of travel.

What are the Hawaiian Airlines pet in-cabin carrier requirements?

Hawaiian Airlines requires in-cabin pet carriers to be soft-sided, leak-proof, well-ventilated on all four sides, and small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Maximum carrier dimensions are 17″L x 11″W x 9.5″H, though many sources cite a recommended size of about 16″L x 10″W x 9.5″H.

Carrier size comparison

Carrier rules to remember:

• One pet per carrier (exception: two puppies or kittens of the same litter, 8 weeks–6 months)
• No part of your pet may stick out of the carrier
• Pets must stay in the carrier for the entire flight
• Carriers don’t count as carry-on baggage
• No pets in First Class, bulkhead, or exit-row seats

How much is Hawaiian Airlines pet cargo cost?

Hawaiian Airlines pet cargo cost varies by the pet’s weight, crate size and weight, and flight distance, and can exceed $375 per pet. Cargo travel is handled through Hawaiian Air Cargo (now part of the Pet Connect® program via Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo), which is used for unaccompanied pets on approved routes.

Important update: Hawaiian Airlines’ standalone climate-controlled cargo program was suspended at points due to staffing and safety concerns. As of 2026, unaccompanied pet transport is offered through the Pet Connect® animal travel program. Always confirm current availability before booking by calling the Cargo Capacity Desk at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746).

Cargo essentials:

• IATA-approved hard-sided kennel required
• Drop-off and pick-up at cargo facilities, not passenger terminals
• Check-in at least 90 minutes before departure
• Pets must not be fed within 4 hours of check-in

What are the temperature restrictions for Hawaiian Airlines pet cargo?

Hawaiian Airlines will not transport pets as checked baggage or cargo when temperatures at any point on the itinerary exceed 85°F (29.4°C) or fall below 45°F (7.2°C). These limits protect pets from heat stress and hypothermia during ground holding and loading. An acclimation certificate may allow travel below 45°F, but never below 20°F.

Seasonal embargo alert: Pets cannot fly as baggage between April 15 and October 15 on routes to/from Phoenix (PHX), San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), or Las Vegas (LAS) due to extreme heat.

Can I fly my dog to Hawaii for vacation?

Yes, you can fly your dog to Hawaii, but Hawaii’s strict rabies-free quarantine laws make it more involved than other states. Pets cannot fly into Hawaii in the cabin only as checked baggage or cargo (service dogs excepted). To avoid the mandated 120-day quarantine, you must complete Hawaii’s “5-Day-Or-Less” program requirements well in advance.

Hawaii arrival requirements checklist

• Microchip your dog before vaccinations
• Two rabies vaccinations (specific timing rules apply)
• OIE-FAVN blood test submitted to an approved lab
• 120-day waiting period before arrival (for direct release)
• Health certificate from a vet within 14 days of travel
• Arrival processing at the Honolulu Animal Quarantine Facility, or a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit for direct flights to Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), or Lihue (LIH)

Pro tip: Plan Hawaii pet travel at least 5 months ahead. The blood test and 120-day waiting period are the biggest bottlenecks. Sending documents to the Rabies Quarantine Branch early prevents costly delays.

Are pets allowed on Hawaiian Airlines international flights?

No, Hawaiian Airlines does not allow pets on international flights neither in the cabin nor as checked baggage. Only trained service dogs may travel in the cabin internationally, and they must meet all destination-country import rules. Pets are also restricted to flights within the 48 contiguous states; routes to American Samoa, Mexico, and the Caribbean don’t accept pets.

Hawaiian Airlines pet international guide

Restricted destinations: Pets are not permitted as checked baggage on flights to/from American Samoa (PPG), New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Austin (AUS), or Salt Lake City (SLC). The lone exception is military personnel flying HNL–NRT.

Can I take my dog on Hawaiian Airlines as a service dog?

Yes, Hawaiian Airlines accepts trained service dogs in the cabin at no charge under the Air Carrier Access Act. Service dogs must be at least four months old, leashed or harnessed, and able to fit in the handler’s foot space without blocking aisles or exits. You must submit the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before departure.

Service dog requirements

• DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form (submit 48+ hours ahead)
• Relief Attestation Form for flights over 8 hours
• No carrier required
• No breed restrictions
• Up to two service dogs per passenger allowed
• Must remain leashed/harnessed and under control at all times

What about emotional support animals?

Since January 11, 2021, Hawaiian Airlines no longer recognizes emotional support animals (ESAs) as service animals, following the DOT’s updated Air Carrier Access Act rules. ESAs now travel as regular pets meaning fees, carriers, and weight limits all apply. If you rely on an animal for mental health support, a psychiatric service dog (PSD), which is task-trained, still qualifies for free cabin travel.

What documents do you need to fly a pet on Hawaiian Airlines?

Hawaiian Airlines requires a veterinarian-issued health certificate dated within 14 days of travel for flights between Hawaii and North America. Health certificates aren’t required for inter-island flights. Pets arriving in Hawaii must also meet state import requirements, including rabies vaccinations and an FAVN blood test.

Documentation summary:

• Health certificate (within 14 days)  required for Hawaii–mainland routes
• Hawaii import paperwork   rabies records, FAVN test, microchip
• Neighbor Island Inspection Permit  for direct flights to OGG, KOA, LIH
• DOT forms  for service dogs only
• Import permit  required for household birds leaving the mainland

How do you book pet travel on Hawaiian Airlines?

Book your own ticket first, then reserve space for your pet by calling Hawaiian Airlines Reservations at 1-800-367-5320 at least 48 hours before departure. In-cabin and checked-baggage space is limited and first-come, first-served. For unaccompanied cargo, call the Pet Connect® / Cargo Desk at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746).

Booking steps:

1. Review the pet policy and choose cabin, baggage, or cargo
2. Book your passenger ticket on hawaiianairlines.com
3. Call Reservations to add your pet (48+ hours ahead)
4. Arrive early at least 3 hours before departure with your pet

What breeds does Hawaiian Airlines restrict?

Hawaiian Airlines strongly discourages transporting snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds as checked baggage or cargo due to breathing risks. Restricted or cautioned breeds include Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, and Persian or Himalayan cats. If accepted, these breeds need a crate one size larger than usual.

Not accepted at all: rodents, poultry, wild birds, reptiles, and fish (in cabin/baggage). Snub-nosed breeds can still fly in the cabin if they meet weight and carrier rules the restrictions apply mainly to cargo travel.

Key restrictions and tips for stress-free pet travel

Before you fly, keep these critical points in mind:

• No pets into Hawaii’s cabin  quarantine law, service dogs only
• No First Class pets on Hawaii–mainland routes
• Book 48+ hours ahead  space is limited
• Health certificate within 14 days for mainland routes
• Plan Hawaii arrivals 5+ months out for the 120-day quarantine rule
• Give your pet a pre-flight walk and a potty trip at an airport relief area
• Don’t overfeed or overwater before the flight

Frequently asked questions

How much is the pet fee on Hawaiian Airlines in 2026?

In-cabin pet fees are $35 inter-island and $125 between Hawaii and North America, each way. Checked-baggage fees are $60–$65 inter-island and $225 to/from the mainland. Full cargo can exceed $375 depending on weight and route.

Can I take my 30-pound dog on Hawaiian Airlines?

Not in the cabin the in-cabin limit is 25 lbs including the carrier. A 30-lb dog must fly as checked baggage (up to 70 lbs with kennel) or via cargo in an IATA-approved hard-sided crate.

Can I fly my dog to Hawaii for vacation?

Yes, but dogs can only enter Hawaii as checked baggage or cargo, not in the cabin. To skip the 120-day quarantine, complete Hawaii’s microchip, dual rabies vaccination, and FAVN blood test requirements at least 5 months ahead.

Can you buy an airplane seat for your dog on Hawaiian Airlines?

No, Hawaiian Airlines does not allow you to purchase a separate seat for a pet. In-cabin pets must remain in an approved carrier under the seat in front of you for the whole flight.

Does Hawaiian Airlines allow emotional support animals?

No. Since January 11, 2021, ESAs are no longer recognized as service animals and must travel as regular pets, subject to fees, carrier rules, and weight limits. Psychiatric service dogs still qualify for free cabin travel.

What is the in-cabin carrier size limit on Hawaiian Airlines?

The maximum carrier size is 17″L x 11″W x 9.5″H, and it must be soft-sided and fit under the seat. Many travelers use a recommended size of about 16″L x 10″W x 9.5″H to ensure a comfortable fit.

Are there temperature limits for pets in cargo?

Yes. Pets won’t be accepted as baggage or cargo when temperatures exceed 85°F or drop below 45°F at any point on the route. A seasonal embargo also applies April 15–October 15 on certain hot-weather mainland routes.

Can pets fly internationally on Hawaiian Airlines?

No, pets are not allowed on international flights in any class. Only trained service dogs may travel in the cabin internationally, and they must meet all destination-country entry requirements.