Hawaiian Airlines is one of the clearer pet policies to plan around, but the snub-nosed rule is the line to read first. Both cabin and cargo restrict brachycephalic breeds, and a Cavalier like Pixel sits close enough to that line that I always confirm breed acceptance before anything else. Sort that question early and the rest of this policy is straightforward paperwork and timing.
Hawaiian Airlines's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How Hawaiian Airlines handles your pet Key points
HAWAIIAN AIRLINES: cabin (small dogs/cats $125 mainland / $35 interisland), checked baggage ($225 mainland / $60 interisland), and cargo via Hawaiian Air CargoBrachycephalic breeds explicitly ACCEPTED in cabin if carrier fits under seat Brachycephalic breeds NOT accepted as cargo (Hawaii's tropical climate) In checked baggage they're strongly discouraged but accepted with oversized crate (4-5 in extra clearance head/nose) Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the
🐕 Dog 🐈 Cat
In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets that fit in an under-seat carrier can travel in a cabin verified 2026-07-14 Snub-nosed breeds list French Bulldog English Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Bullmastiff Brussels Griffon Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold Snub-Nosed Breeds Flown by Hawaiian Airlines All brachycephalic breeds must fly in a crate one size larger than normally required. T verified 2026-07-14 Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-08-14 Advance booking notice 48 hours Pet Reservations Hawaiian Airlines requires at least 48 hours’ advance notice if you plan to travel with a pet. verified 2026-07-31 Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-02 Max pets per passenger 1 Pet Restrictions: Maximum of 1 animal per kennel *and* maximum amount of kennels per passenger based upon maximum allowed per aircraft… verified 2026-05-22 Booking method make your own flight reservations You may book your pet in the passenger cabin at the same time you make your own flight reservations verified 2026-07-20 Max per flight 3 B-717/B-767/A330: 3 pets per flight Note: One passenger may check-in multiple animals d under the seat. verified 2026-05-06 Aircraft restrictions ✗ YesLimitation: B717 aircraft - 3 pets B767 aircraft - 3 pets verified 2026-07-20 Max weight (pet + crate) 11 kg …of Hawaii and the US Mainland, as long as the combined weight of the pet and carrier does not exceed 25 lbs (11 kg). verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Carrier Guidelines For pets traveling in the passenger cabin, carriers must be soft-sided, leak proof, and large enough to allow the animal to sit, stand upright, turn, and lay down in a natural position. verified 2026-08-06 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets can travel in our climate-controlled baggage compartment verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds list French Bulldog English Bulldog Pug Boxer Boston Terrier Pekingese Shih Tzu Lhasa Apso Chow Chow Bullmastiff Brussels Griffon Shar Pei Staffordshire Bull Terrier Mastiff Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold Snub-Nosed Breeds Flown by Hawaiian Airlines All brachycephalic breeds must fly in a crate one size larger than normally required. T verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Age requirements Minimum age for pets flying as checked baggage is 8 weeks of age and weaned. verified 2026-08-02 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-02 Hold: Cold-weather embargo 7°C …or connecting airports exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius or falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsi verified 2026-08-09 Hold: Heat embargo 29°C …if the local temperature at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius or falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsi verified 2026-07-28 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Transporting Containers/Kennels Approved Container Required Animals accepted as checked baggage must be placed in a hard sided shipping container verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedUnaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub nosed dogs and cats are temperature-sensitive, and should not be transported in the luggage compartment verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Age requirements Minimum age for pets flying as checked baggage is 8 weeks of age and weaned. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Advance booking notice 48 hours …Birds will only be accepted on direct flights to HNL. Reservations Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-08-13 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-16 Cargo: Max pets per flight 3 B-717/B-767/A330: 3 pets per flight Note: One passenger may check-in multiple animals, as long as the aircraft li… verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 7°C …or connecting airports exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius or falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsius. verified 2026-07-29 Cargo: Crate must have/be water bowl, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Water containers must be provided inside and accessible from outside the container verified 2026-07-20 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesPets returning to Hawaii must meet Hawaii pet import requirements ; however, the health certificate used for export from Hawaii can be used to return within 30 days if the return trip is on the same itinerary as the… verified 2026-08-07 Health certificate validity 14 days Inter-island Not Required Mainland to Hawaii Original health certificate required/must be dated within 14 days of departure date. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate validity 30 days Note: Health Certificate is valid for 30 days from original departure date. verified 2026-07-22 Quarantine · Type Quarantine Facility Hawaiian Airlines employee remain with you until the Animal Quarantine Facility opens verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesArrivals outside of these hours will require that a Hawaiian Airlines employee remain with you until the Animal Quarantine Facility opens verified 2026-07-14 Quarantine · Approved facility required ✓ Yesall animals must follow proper entry guidelines by entering the State via the airport animal quarantine holding facility in Honolulu. verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Issuer a licensed veterinarian t obtain the documentation required for the transport of the animal including a Health Certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian not more than ten (10) days prior to flight departure for flights from Hawaii o verified 2026-07-20 Health certificate · Required ✓ YesForms Required A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel for flights from Hawaii and 14 days for flights to Hawaii is required. verified 2026-07-14 Health certificate valid within days · Health certificate valid within days 14 days Inter-island Not Required Mainland to Hawaii Original health certificate required/must be dated within 14 days of departure date. verified 2026-08-13 Other rules Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-20 Emotional support animals allowed ✗ NoEffective immediately Hawaiian Airlines does not accept birds from Phoenix *Except for service/comfort animals. verified 2026-07-20 Service & assistance animals Esa note Emotional Support animals must travel as standard pets Emotional Support animals must travel as standard pets, and all pet fees and rules apply verified 2026-07-20 Fee waived ✓ YesGuests traveling with service animal can find eligibility and requirements in our accessible travel services section. Our Pet Connect@ animal travel program is available via Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo for pets… verified 2026-08-12 Recognized ✓ YesGuests traveling with service animal can find eligibility and requirements in our accessible travel services section verified 2026-08-12 Cabin allowed ✓ YesHawaiian Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy to fly in the cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a… verified 2026-07-22 Esa recognized ✗ NoEmotional support and service dogs in training as not accepted as service animals verified 2026-07-14 Forms required ✓ YesDepartment of Transportation Service Animal Relief Attestation must also be submitted Domestic Travel The passenger must make all arrangements and assume full responsibility for complying with any applicable laws,… verified 2026-07-20 Advance notice hours 48 hours Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-07-14 Documentation required ✓ YesRelated: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohi Related: verified 2026-07-07 In the cabin ✓ Accepted
In the hold / cargo ✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breeds Not accepted
Cabin policy Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets that fit in an under-seat carrier can travel in a cabin verified 2026-07-14 Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-08-14 Advance booking notice 48 hours …find a pet friendly place to stay at your destination. Pet Reservations Hawaiian Airlines requires at least 48 hours’ advance notice if you plan to travel with a pet. verified 2026-08-13 Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-02 Max pets per passenger 1 Pet Restrictions: Maximum of 1 animal per kennel *and* maximum amount of kennels per passenger based upon maximum allowed per aircraft… verified 2026-05-22 Booking method make your own flight reservations You may book your pet in the passenger cabin at the same time you make your own flight reservations verified 2026-07-20 Crate must have/be soft-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Animals accepted for transport in the passenger compartment must be placed in a soft-sided container. verified 2026-07-20 Hold & cargo policy Hold: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedPets can travel in our climate-controlled baggage compartment verified 2026-07-14 Hold: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub nosed dogs and cats are temperature-sensitive, and should not be transported in the luggage compartment verified 2026-08-14 Hold: Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-08-14 Hold: Advance booking notice 48 hours Reservations Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-08-10 Hold: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-02 Hold: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, ventilated, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier Transporting Containers/Kennels Approved Container Required Animals accepted as checked baggage must be placed in a hard sided shipping container verified 2026-07-20 Cargo: Pets accepted ✓ AcceptedUnaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold. verified 2026-07-14 Cargo: Snub-nosed breeds banned ✗ YesSnub nosed dogs and cats are temperature-sensitive, and should not be transported in the luggage compartment verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-08-14 Cargo: Advance booking notice 48 hours *Pets must not be in physical discomfort, injured or show any signs of illness. Reservations Reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to departure. verified 2026-08-13 Cargo: Advance booking required ✓ YesPet will be loaded in the baggage compartment of a passenger flight. We invite you to visit our Cargo website for more information. Please note: No cargo facility available at San Jose, CA or Oakland, CA Requirements… verified 2026-08-16 Cargo: Cold-weather embargo 7°C Animals may be accepted for travel if the temperature falls below 45F/7C only under the following conditions: There is no current embargo in place, and You are in possession of an… verified 2026-08-16 Cargo: Heat embargo 29°C …if the local temperature at the origin, destination, or connecting airports exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit/29 degrees Celsius or falls below 45 degrees Fahrenheit/7 degrees Celsi verified 2026-07-28 Cargo: Crate must have/be hard-sided ok, water bowl, IATA-compliant, absorbent liner, live-animal label, a carrier For pets traveling as checked baggage, kennels must be hard-sided Transporting Containers/Kennels Approved Container Required Animals accepted as checked baggage must be placed in a hard sided shipping container Kennel… verified 2026-05-22 Health & documents Health certificate required ✓ YesRelated: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant Forms required Health certificates issued within 14 days of travel are required for flights between Hawaii and North America d under the seat. verified 2026-07-10 Health certificate validity 14 days Inter-island Not Required Mainland to Hawaii Original health certificate required/must be dated within 14 days of departure date. verified 2026-07-30 Quarantine · Required ✓ YesDue to animal quarantine laws, all animals must follow proper entry guidelines by entering the State via the airport animal qua INTERNATIONAL CONTRACT OF CARRIAGE: RULE 105 ACCEPTANCE OF PETS AND ANIMALS General… verified 2026-08-14 Health certificate · Validity days 14 days Health certificates issued within 14 days of travel are verified 2026-07-14 Other rules Minimum age 8 weeks Two puppies or kittens may occupy a single container provided they are at least 8 weeks old and fully weaned, and no more than 6 months old. verified 2026-07-20 Hawaiian Airlines requires pet reservations to be made at least 48 hours before departure. The cabin and hold each hold a limited number of animals per flight, so the booking closes far before the fare does. Add the pet to the reservation the moment the human ticket is confirmed, because a sold-out pet allocation cannot be reopened at check-in.
Hawaiian Airlines will not transport any pet when temperatures drop below -6.6 °C (20°F). Below 45°F an acclimation certificate is needed, but past the -6.6 °C floor no animal moves regardless of paperwork. For winter connections through cold mainland hubs, check the forecast at every stop, because one frigid leg can ground the whole itinerary.
Frequently asked
How many pets can I bring on Hawaiian Airlines? Hawaiian Airlines allows 1 in the cabin, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier. How much does it cost to fly a pet on Hawaiian Airlines? On flights within Metropolitan France , Hawaiian Airlines charges from 35 USD in the cabin, one way per pet. Longer routes cost more — price your exact itinerary. What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity? If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays. What happens if I forget a document? At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
Hawaiian Airlines charges 35 USD each way to fly a pet in the cabin on inter-island routes, rising to 125 USD between
Hawaii and the mainland. Confirm which fare applies to your specific segments before booking, and carry the fee ready at check-in, since the cabin pet slot is only held once the charge is paid.
With Hawaiian, the decision tree is short: clear the brachycephalic question, book the pet slot 48 hours out, watch the cold-weather floor on any mainland leg, and budget the right cabin fare. Handle those four and you're set. Let Pawgo fold them into one personalized plan so your island trip runs on schedule from booking to baggage claim.
Glossary
ISO chip ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard. FAVN Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations. Brachycephalic Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk. AVIH Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.
