Hawaiian Airlines Pet Travel Policy

Flying Your Pet on Hawaiian Airlines: Complete 2026 Guide

I've moved internationally three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I've learned that Hawaiian Airlines has straightforward pet policies—but you need to know the details before you book. This guide covers everything you need to get your dog, cat, rabbit, or bird safely to Hawaii or across the mainland.

The good news: Hawaiian Airlines accepts pets in the cabin and as checked baggage. The important part: there are specific size limits, fees, and requirements that have changed as of January 2, 2026. Let me walk you through exactly what you need to do.

Key Numbers at a Glance

• Cabin pet fee: $100 USD/CAD one-way (effective Jan 2, 2026)
• Checked baggage pet fee: $200 USD/CAD one-way (effective Jan 2, 2026)
• Cabin carrier max dimensions: 16" L × 10" W × 9.5" H (41cm × 25cm × 24cm)
• Cabin carrier max weight: 8kg (pet + carrier combined)
• Minimum age for cabin travel: 8 weeks old, fully weaned
• Minimum age for checked baggage: 10 weeks old, fully weaned
• Health certificate validity: 10 days before departure
• Accepted pets: Dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds

Cabin vs. Checked Baggage: Which Option Is Right for Your Pet?

Hawaiian Airlines offers two ways to travel with your pet. I always recommend cabin travel when possible—your pet stays with you, and you can monitor their comfort throughout the flight.

Cabin Travel ($100 one-way)

Your pet travels in the cabin with you, under the seat in front of you. This is ideal for smaller pets and shorter flights. When I flew Cooper on a shorter route, having him nearby gave me peace of mind.

Who qualifies: Dogs, cats, rabbits, and household birds (minimum 8 weeks old)

Carrier requirements: You must use a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat. Hard-sided carriers won't work for cabin travel. The carrier cannot exceed 16" long × 10" wide × 9.5" high, and the combined weight of your pet plus carrier must not exceed 8kg (about 17.6 lbs).

This is where I need to be honest: if you have a larger dog like mine, cabin travel isn't an option. Cooper weighs 28kg—he'd need checked baggage.

Carrier features you need:

• Soft-sided (collapsible fabric)
• Mesh ventilation on sides for airflow
• Absorbent liner or mat inside to manage accidents
• Fits under a standard airplane seat

Checked Baggage ($200 one-way)

Your pet travels in the cargo hold with checked luggage. This is the option I used for Cooper on longer flights. It's more expensive, but it's the only way to fly with larger pets.

Who qualifies: Dogs, cats, household birds (minimum 10 weeks old)

Important note: Hawaiian Airlines does not offer a separate cargo service. Pets travel as checked baggage only, which means they're handled with your luggage, not in a dedicated pet cargo area. This is different from some other airlines.

Carrier requirements: We're still verifying specific dimensions for checked baggage carriers—contact Hawaiian Airlines directly. However, industry standards require:

• Hard-sided, IATA-compliant crate (soft-sided carriers are not accepted)
• Ventilation openings on at least three sides
• Attached water bowl that can be filled from outside the crate
• Absorbent liner inside
• "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the crate

Breed Restrictions: Check If Your Pet Qualifies

Hawaiian Airlines restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds in both cabin and checked baggage due to respiratory risks during flight. This is an industry-wide safety standard.

Restricted breeds include: Pugs, Bulldogs (all types), French Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Boxers, Mastiffs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Japanese Chins, Lhasa Apsos, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, and several others.

If your breed has a flat face, confirm directly with Hawaiian Airlines before booking. Some breeds have variations in how they're classified.

Service dogs are exempt: Trained service dogs travel at no charge and are not subject to breed restrictions. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized by Hawaiian Airlines—they travel under standard pet policy with full fees and restrictions.

Health Certificate & Documentation

This is non-negotiable. You will be asked for a health certificate at the airport, and without it, your pet won't board.

What you need:

• A vet-issued health certificate
• Issued within 10 days of your departure date (some destinations require 7 days—check with your vet)
• Signed by a licensed veterinarian

I always schedule my vet appointment 2-3 days before travel to ensure the certificate is fresh and covers my travel dates. Don't wait until the last minute.

What the certificate should confirm: Your pet's age, microchip number (if applicable), vaccination status (especially rabies), and that they're healthy enough to fly.

Temperature Restrictions for Checked Baggage

If you're traveling with your pet as checked baggage, Hawaiian Airlines follows industry temperature embargoes:

• Cold embargo: -6.7°C (20°F). If it's colder at your origin or destination, your pet cannot travel unless you have a vet-issued acclimation certificate.
• Heat embargo: 29.4°C (85°F). If it's hotter than this at the tarmac, your pet cannot travel.

This is crucial if you're flying to Hawaii during summer or from a cold climate in winter. Check the forecast before you book.

Important Restrictions & What's Not Allowed

No sedation: IATA regulations prohibit sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies. Do not sedate your pet unless explicitly instructed by both your vet and the airline (which is extremely rare).

Pregnant animals: Hawaiian Airlines does not accept visibly pregnant animals due to health risks during flight. If your pet is pregnant, contact the airline directly before booking.

Animals in heat: We're still verifying this policy—contact Hawaiian Airlines directly if your pet is in heat.

Pre-booking is required: You cannot show up at the airport with a pet without prior arrangement. Airlines limit the number of pets per flight, so book your pet when you book your ticket or as soon as possible after.

Booking Your Pet's Flight

You can book your pet online or by phone with Hawaiian Airlines. Here's my recommendation: book your own ticket first, then immediately add your pet to the reservation. This ensures your pet gets a spot on the same flight.

When booking:

• Have your pet's name, age, breed, and weight ready
• Specify cabin or checked baggage
• Confirm the $100 (cabin) or $200 (checked baggage) fee is added to your booking
• Ask the agent to note any special requirements (e.g., your pet is a service dog)

I always call Hawaiian Airlines directly after booking online, just to confirm everything is correct. Pet bookings sometimes get lost in the system, and you don't want to discover this at the airport.

What You Need to Do: Pre-Travel Checklist

8-10 weeks before travel:

• Check if your pet's breed is restricted (brachycephalic list)
• Book your flight and add your pet to the reservation
• Purchase an appropriate carrier (soft-sided for cabin, hard-sided IATA-compliant for checked baggage)

3-4 weeks before travel:

• Schedule a vet appointment for a health certificate
• Ensure your pet's vaccinations are current (especially rabies)
• Microchip your pet if not already done

2-3 days before travel:

• Visit your vet and obtain the health certificate (within 10 days of departure)
• Test your carrier with your pet to ensure they're comfortable
• Prepare absorbent liners and any comfort items

Day of travel:

• Arrive at the airport early (Hawaiian Airlines may need extra time for pet check-in)
• Have your health certificate ready
• Bring your pet's regular food and water (in case of delays)
• Keep your pet calm and hydrated before boarding

Carrier Setup: Get It Right

Your carrier is your pet's home during travel. Here's what I learned from flying Cooper:

For cabin travel: Use a soft-sided carrier with mesh panels. Line the bottom with an absorbent pad (puppy pads work well). Bring a small collapsible water bowl that fits inside. Your pet should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably.

For checked baggage: Use a hard-sided IATA-compliant crate. Attach a water bowl to the outside that can be filled by ground crew. Line the bottom with absorbent material. Include your contact information and your pet's name on the crate. Attach "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows (pointing up) on the top and sides.

Special Circumstances

Active-duty military: If you're relocating via PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to or from Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines offers military pet exceptions. Contact Hawaiian Airlines cargo directly for details on reduced rates.

Trained service dogs: Travel free in the cabin with no carrier required. Breed restrictions do not apply. Your service dog travels at your feet.

Questions? Contact Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines' pet policy is clear, but every situation is unique. If you have questions about:

• Your specific breed's eligibility
• Temperature embargoes for your travel dates
• Checked baggage carrier dimensions
• International travel requirements (if flying to another country)

Contact Hawaiian Airlines directly before you book. It's better to confirm now than to be denied boarding at the airport.

Final Thoughts

Flying with your pet requires planning, but it's absolutely doable. I've done it three times with Cooper, and each time got smoother because I knew the rules. The key is booking early, getting your health certificate in time, and using the right carrier.

Your pet is part of your family, and Hawaiian Airlines recognizes that. Follow these guidelines, and you'll have a safe, stress-free journey together.

Get your free personalized travel plan from Pawgo to organize all your pet travel documents and requirements in one place.

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Data last verified: April 16, 2026. This guide is auto-verified from official Hawaiian Airlines sources and industry standards. Policies change—always confirm current requirements directly with Hawaiian Airlines before traveling.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 21, 2026