Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy 2026: $100 Fee & Cargo

Hawaiian Airlines charges $100 each way to fly a dog or cat in the cabin on mainland routes and $35 on inter-island flights within Hawaii. They also accept pets as checked baggage — one of the few US airlines still offering that option.

Cargo shipping is available through Pet Connect, now run by Alaska Air Cargo after the merger. All pet booking is phone-only.

This guide covers cabin, checked baggage, and cargo rules, carrier size, breed restrictions, Hawaii's quarantine inspection process, and how to book.

In-Cabin Travel

Hawaiian accepts dogs and cats in the cabin on domestic flights. Rabbits are allowed only on inter-island routes within Hawaii.

The cabin fee is $100 each way on mainland routes and $35 each way between Hawaiian islands. Both fees dropped in January 2026 — the mainland fee was $125 before that.

Your carrier must be soft-sided and no larger than 17" × 11" × 9.5". That's tighter than most competitors — Delta allows 18" × 11" × 11" and Southwest goes up to 18.5" × 13.5" × 9.5". Measure your carrier before you go — agents measure at the counter.

Hawaiian doesn't list an explicit weight limit for cabin pets — the real constraint is carrier fit. Your pet must lie down comfortably with its head upright while the carrier is closed and stowed. One carrier per passenger, holding one adult dog or cat — or two puppies or kittens of the same breed between 8 weeks and 6 months old.

On mainland flights, the carrier counts as one of your two carry-on items. On inter-island flights, it doesn't count toward your carry-on limit.

No pets in First Class on mainland flights. No bulkhead seats, exit rows, or seats without enough under-seat space.

Where Cabin Pets Aren't Allowed

No pets in the cabin on any international flight or on flights to and from Pago Pago (PPG) in American Samoa.

Checked Baggage

Hawaiian is one of the few US airlines that lets you fly a dog, cat, or household bird as checked baggage. This is the option for larger pets that don't fit under the seat.

The fee is $200 each way on mainland routes and $60 each way inter-island. Active-duty military with orders pay a flat $100 regardless of route. These mainland fees also dropped in January 2026 — previously $225.

Kennel Rules

Your kennel must be hard-sided (rigid plastic, metal, or wood) and no larger than 36" × 25" × 28". Hawaiian doesn't accept all-wire or homemade kennels.

The combined weight of pet and kennel can't exceed 150 lbs. The kennel needs metal bolts securing top to bottom, a metal-grate door with holes in all four corners for zip ties, and food and water dishes attached inside the door that are accessible from outside.

Line the bottom with absorbent bedding and remove all wheels before check-in.

Household birds heading to Hawaii need a mosquito-proof kennel — a state rule because Hawaii actively manages mosquito-borne disease.

Seasonal Embargo

From April 15 through October 15, checked baggage pets are banned on flights to and from five hot-weather cities: San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix (PHX), and Salt Lake City (SLC).

Year-round, Hawaiian won't accept checked pets if the temperature at any point in the journey is above 85°F or below 20°F. Between 20°F and 45°F, you need an acclimation certificate from your vet dated within 10 days of travel.

Pet Connect Cargo

For pets too large for checked baggage or headed somewhere checked pets can't go, Hawaiian offers cargo through Pet Connect — now run by Alaska Air Cargo after the merger.

Pet Connect accepts dogs, cats, birds, and other animals (subject to approval). Book by calling 1-800-225-2752 between 5am and 9pm PST, anywhere from 24 hours to 30 days before travel.

A health certificate is needed for all warm-blooded animals, with the exam within 10 days of travel. Temperature limits are stricter than checked baggage — cargo only operates between 45°F and 85°F.

Flat-faced breeds are banned from cargo with no exceptions (see Breed Restrictions). Pets must be alert and unmedicated at drop-off — a visibly sedated animal will be refused. Pick up within 4 hours of arrival with a photo ID.

Cargo fees aren't published online — call for a quote.

Watch Out

Hawaiian doesn't transfer checked-baggage pets between airlines — including Alaska Airlines. If you're connecting to another carrier, claim your pet and re-check. Build in at least 4 hours for codeshare connections.

Service Animals

Hawaiian recognizes only trained service dogs — no emotional support animals, therapy animals, or animals in training. Those fly as pets at the standard fare.

Service dogs fly free. They must stay leashed or harnessed at all times and don't need a carrier. Small service dogs can sit on your lap; larger ones go on the floor in front of your seat.

Fill out the DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form for every flight. For flights over 8 hours, add the Service Animal Relief Attestation. Give Hawaiian 48 hours' notice if you bought your ticket more than 48 hours before departure.

Service dogs flying to Hawaii still go through the state quarantine inspection and need a health certificate within 14 days.

Breed Restrictions

Flat-faced breeds (also called brachycephalic) face restrictions because their compressed airways make breathing harder under the stress of air travel — especially in cargo holds.

In cabin: No restrictions. If your flat-faced dog or cat fits in the carrier, they can fly.

Checked baggage: Flat-faced breeds are "highly discouraged" but not outright banned. Hawaiian will accept them at the owner's risk.

Cargo: Flat-faced breeds are banned, no exceptions.

Dog Breeds Affected

American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog, Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Cat Breeds Affected

Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian.

Mixed breeds with flat-faced features are included.

Required Documents

These are Hawaiian Airlines' rules — separate from what your destination state may need.

Inter-island flights (within Hawaii): No health certificate needed.

Mainland ↔ Hawaii: A health certificate with an exam within 14 days of arriving at your destination. If you're making a round trip on the same reservation, the original certificate covers the return to the mainland as long as the exam was within 30 days of return arrival. Flying back to Hawaii on the same trip still needs a new certificate within 14 days.

Cargo (Pet Connect): Health certificate with exam within 10 days of travel — a tighter window than cabin or checked.

Bring printed copies of everything. Hawaiian checks all paperwork at the front counter.

Critical

The 14-day and 10-day health certificate windows are strict. If your vet visit is one day too early, your certificate is invalid at check-in. Count backwards from your travel date.

How to Book a Pet on Hawaiian Airlines

There's no online booking for pet travel. Every reservation goes through the phone.

1. Call 1-800-367-5320 (24/7) at least 48 hours before departure. Pet spots are limited per flight and go first-come, first-served.
2. Tell the agent whether you need cabin, checked baggage, or cargo. Have your flight details ready.
3. Arrive 3 hours early on travel day. Check in at the front counter with an agent — no self-service kiosks.
4. Bring printed documents — health certificate, quarantine paperwork (if flying to Hawaii), and any NIIP permits for neighbor islands.
5. Counter inspection: The agent checks your pet, measures the carrier or kennel, and reviews your paperwork. Once cleared, they tag your carrier.
6. TSA security: Remove your pet from the carrier, carry them through the metal detector, and send the empty carrier through the X-ray belt. This adds a few minutes — some pets panic briefly, so budget the extra time.

If you booked through Alaska Airlines (AS flight number), still call Hawaiian directly for the pet reservation.

Common Mistakes

Tips for Flying Hawaiian Airlines with Your Pet

The carrier size is unusually small. At 17" × 11" × 9.5", Hawaiian's cabin carrier limit is smaller than every major competitor except Alaska Airlines (same dimensions post-merger). Shop for carriers specifically sized to fit — and measure before you leave home, because agents measure at the counter.

Inter-island travel is a bargain. At $35 each way in-cabin and $60 checked, flying between Hawaiian islands with a pet is cheaper than any mainland airline. If you're island-hopping with your dog or cat, Hawaiian is the cheapest option by far.

Checked baggage fills a real gap. Very few US airlines still accept pets as checked baggage. If your pet is too big for the cabin but you don't want the cargo process, Hawaiian's checked option is one of the few left.

The Alaska merger changed cargo, not cabin. Hawaiian's cargo service is now Pet Connect through Alaska Air Cargo, but cabin and checked baggage policies are still Hawaiian's own. If you've flown Alaska before, don't assume the same rules apply on Hawaiian planes.

Flying Pets to Hawaii: Quarantine and Inspection

Hawaii is the only rabies-free state in the US. Every pet entering the islands goes through a state quarantine inspection — regardless of which airline you fly.

Honolulu (HNL) is the only airport with an on-site Animal Quarantine Facility, open 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM HST. If your flight lands before 8:30 AM, you and your pet wait in the terminal until the facility opens. Land after 4:30 PM, and your pet may stay overnight at the facility.

For neighbor islands (LIH, OGG, KOA), there's no on-site facility. You need a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) from Hawaii's Department of Agriculture, issued for your first city of entry into Hawaii. Bring a printed hardcopy — it's checked at the counter.

Hawaiian Airlines staff escort you and your pet to the inspection area upon arrival. This is state law, and it adds time to your arrival process.

If you don't tell the airline about your pet before boarding and it's discovered later, Hawaiian can ban you from future travel.

For the full breakdown of Hawaii's quarantine process, rabies vaccination timeline, and how to qualify for direct airport release, see our Hawaii pet travel guide.

How Hawaiian Airlines Compares

Hawaiian's biggest edge is offering all three travel options — cabin, checked baggage, and cargo — on Hawaii routes. Most competitors only offer cabin.

Alaska Airlines shares Hawaiian's cargo network and carrier size post-merger, but doesn't offer checked baggage. Southwest has a larger carrier allowance but no cargo or checked bags. Delta charges $150 and suspended both cargo and checked pet service.

FAQ

Your next step: Call 1-800-367-5320 to reserve your pet's spot before buying your ticket — Hawaiian limits pets per flight and the spots fill quietly, especially on peak Hawaii routes.