Mokulele Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Rules & Allowance (2026) 

Mokulele Airlines allows 2 free personal items (max 14.5″W × 12″H × 10″L, 15 lbs each). Checked baggage costs $20 for the 1st bag, $30 for the 2nd, and $50 for each additional bag. Heavy bags (51–70 lbs) incur a $35 surcharge. Sports equipment runs $35 per item. All fares are non-refundable, and cash is not accepted at any counter.

Mokulele Airlines is Hawaii’s go-to inter-island carrier, connecting Honolulu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, the Big Island, Hana, Kapalua, and Waimea aboard its 9-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. Operated under Surf Air Mobility the parent company that also owns Southern Airways Express Mokulele is one of the largest regional carriers in the U.S.

What Is Mokulele Airlines’ Carry-On (Personal Item) Policy?

Mokulele Airlines does not offer a traditional overhead-bin carry-on. Instead, each passenger is permitted two free personal items, both of which must fit at your feet or on your lap during the flight. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of Mokulele’s baggage policy many travelers arrive expecting standard carry-on rules and are caught off guard.

Personal Item Dimensions and Weight:

Both items must stay within these limits. Because the Cessna Grand Caravan has no overhead compartments or under-seat storage, even items that meet the size requirements may be placed in the baggage compartment by agents at no extra cost if cabin space is tight.

Practical tip: A standard backpack or small soft-sided bag fits comfortably within these dimensions. A rolling carry-on suitcase does not.

What Are Mokulele Airlines’ Checked Baggage Fees?

Mokulele Airlines charges per checked bag, per person. The pricing scales with the number of bags you check, and the third bag onward travels on a space-available basis only meaning it is not guaranteed to make your flight.

Checked Baggage Fee Breakdown:

Real-world cost example: A family of four, each checking two bags, would pay $20 + $30 = $50 per person, totaling $200 in baggage fees for the round trip before accounting for any overweight items.

Important: Mokulele Airlines does not accept cash or checks at any airport counter. Payment must be made by Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, or JCB.

What Size Luggage Is Allowed on Mokulele Airlines?

Mokulele Airlines enforces strict size and weight limits for both personal items and checked baggage. These limits are tighter than most major airlines due to the aircraft’s compact cargo hold.

Baggage Size and Weight Limits:

Items exceeding 70 lbs will not be accepted under any circumstances. Sports equipment, fishing poles, and irregular-shaped items longer than 6 feet are also rejected outright. If your surfboard bag, paddleboard, or fishing rod case exceeds 6 feet in length, plan an alternative shipping method.

What Are the Rules for Sports Equipment and Special Items?

Special and oversized sports items are not included in your standard baggage allowance. Each qualifies as a separate item with its own fee.

Sports equipment subject to the $35 fee includes:

• Surfboards
• Bicycles (space-available only)
• Golf clubs
• Rifle and bow/archery cases
• Speargun equipment

The $35 fee applies per item, up to 50 lbs. If a sports item weighs between 51 and 70 lbs, the $35 heavy baggage surcharge applies on top of the $35 sports equipment fee making it $70 total for a single heavy sports bag.

Edge case to know: Bicycles are accepted on a space-available basis only. If you’re traveling with a bike, there is no guarantee it will make your flight, even if you’ve paid the fee in advance.

Can I Take My Ukulele as a Carry-On on Mokulele Airlines?

Musical instruments including ukuleles, guitars, and violins are permitted on Mokulele Airlines, provided they fit within the personal item size limits (14.5″W × 12″H × 10″L, max 15 lbs). If the instrument fits these dimensions, it counts as one of your two free personal items at no extra charge.

Here’s where most travelers get tripped up: a soprano ukulele measures roughly 21 inches in length more than double the 10-inch depth limit for personal items. Even in a soft gig bag, it will not meet the personal item dimensions. In practice, this means most ukuleles must be checked as luggage at the standard $20 first-bag rate, or packed inside a checked bag if small enough.

A very small ukulele (such as a sopranino) may technically fit within the dimensions, but confirm with Mokulele’s customer care team at (808) 495-4188 before your flight to avoid surprises at check-in.

How Do You Check In for Mokulele Airlines?

Mokulele Airlines check-in works differently from what most travelers expect at larger airports. Here’s exactly what to do:

• Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure if you have baggage to check.
• Unaccompanied minors must check in 45 minutes before departure with all required paperwork completed.
• Be at the boarding area at least 10 minutes before departure. Failure to do so classifies you as a no-show, and your seat may be reassigned to a standby passenger.
• No boarding passes are issued at Mokulele’s Hawaii check-in counters. Agents escort passengers directly to and from the aircraft.
• Booking fee: Reservations made online at mokuleleairlines.com are free. Reservations made by phone incur a $25 fee per reservation.

Because the Cessna Grand Caravan seats only 9 passengers and has no flight attendants, the boarding experience is more hands-on. Agents walk you out to the tarmac and load your belongings directly.

Who Owns Mokulele Airlines?

Mokulele Airlines is a subsidiary of Surf Air Mobility, the California-based regional air mobility company that acquired Southern Airways Express in 2023. Together, Southern Airways Express (serving the continental U.S.) and Mokulele Airlines (serving Hawaii) operate as sister brands under the Surf Air Mobility umbrella, making up one of the largest and fastest-growing regional airline networks in the United States.

What Are the Rules for Traveling with Pets on Mokulele?

Mokulele Airlines accepts domesticated cats and dogs in the cabin, subject to the following fees and conditions:

• Small/lap pets under 16 lbs: $35 per animal
• Large pets (16 lbs or more): Charged at the standard passenger fare
• One pet per flight (unless approved by the Pilot in Command)
• 48 hours advance notice required by calling (808) 495-4188 failure to notify may result in a $100 fee or denied boarding
• Pets and owners may not sit in Row 5
• Combined weight of owner and pet may not exceed 350 lbs

Tips for a Smooth Baggage Experience with Mokulele Airlines

These practical steps address the most common pain points travelers face when flying Mokulele for the first time:

• Weigh everything before you arrive. The personal item limit of 15 lbs per bag is surprisingly easy to exceed with a laptop, camera gear, or dense clothing.
• Pack your medications and essentials in your personal item. Mokulele recommends keeping vital medicines in your carry-on. There are no onboard refrigerators, and checked bags go into the cargo hold.
• Book online, not by phone. Save $25 per reservation by booking at mokuleleairlines.com.
• Declare non-standard luggage early. Boxes, coolers, and containers require a liability release signed at check-in. Flag these items in advance.
• If connecting to a mainland or international flight, collect your bags at your Mokulele destination and re-check them at the connecting carrier. Mokulele does have interline partnerships with Hawaiian, Alaska, American, United, and JAL, but TSA screening requirements mean bags cannot be through-checked.
• Keep lithium-battery devices in your personal item, not in checked baggage. This applies to phones, laptops, and e-cigarettes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mokulele Airlines charge for carry-on bags?
No. Mokulele Airlines allows two free personal items per passenger. However, these must be small no larger than 14.5″W × 12″H × 10″L and no heavier than 15 lbs each. There are no overhead bins.

What happens if my bag is overweight but under 70 lbs?
Bags weighing between 51 and 70 lbs incur a $35 heavy baggage fee on top of the standard checked bag fee ($20 or $30 depending on bag number). Bags over 70 lbs are refused.

Is the third checked bag guaranteed to travel on my flight?
No. The third bag and any additional bags travel on a space-available basis only. If the aircraft is full or weight limits are reached, your extra bag may not make your flight.

Can I bring a cooler on Mokulele Airlines?
Yes, but coolers are classified as non-standard luggage. You must sign a liability release at check-in. Standard checked baggage fees apply based on weight and size.

Does Mokulele Airlines allow surfboards?
Yes, at $35 per item. Surfboards must not exceed 6 feet in length. Items longer than 6 feet are not accepted under any circumstances.

Can I bring a car seat for my infant?
Yes. FAA-approved infant and child seats are accepted. Bassinets, infant seats, and strollers are accepted as checked baggage at no extra charge and do not count toward your baggage allowance.

Does Mokulele Airlines accept cash at the airport?
No. Mokulele Airlines does not accept cash or checks at any airport counter. Only major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, JCB) are accepted.

Are portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) allowed onboard?
Yes, FAA-approved POCs are permitted with a physician’s statement at the gate. Mokulele does not provide or transport supplemental medical oxygen, so passengers must bring their own approved device.

What is the baggage liability limit if my bag is lost or damaged?
Mokulele Airlines’ liability for lost, damaged, or delayed baggage is capped at $3,800. Claims must be reported promptly ideally within 1 hour of arrival at the airport counter.

Can I book a same-day flight on Mokulele Airlines?
Yes. You can book online up to 3 hours before departure, or at the airport ticket counter and by phone up to 2 hours before departure. Bookings within 2 hours of departure must be made at the airport.