Flying with Your Dog on Hawaiian Airlines

Planning a vacation and want to take your doggo along for the ride? If you’re traveling with Hawaiian Airlines, you might be wondering what requirements you’ll need to meet in order to fly with your dog.

The good news is that Hawaiian Airlines welcomes dogs on many flights. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy and how it affects you and your dog.

Dogs are allowed to travel in the cabin and cargo area of Hawaiian Airlines flights within Hawaii and to North America. However, there are several rules and restrictions you need to be aware of before making a reservation for your pup.

Crate Requirements

You’ll need a suitable pet carrier if your dog is going to travel in the cabin with you on a Hawaiian Airlines flight. The carrier you choose must be soft-sided and completely leak-proof, and it must provide enough room for your pet to comfortably sit, stand, lie down, and turn around.

At the same time, the maximum allowable crate size is 16 inches long x 10 inches wide x 9.5 inches high. The total combined weight of your dog and the carrier must not exceed 25 lbs — if they exceed this limit, your dog won’t be allowed in the cabin and may need to fly as checked baggage. The limit is 1 adult dog per carrier, or 2 puppies (aged between 8 weeks and 6 months) of the same breed or litter can share a carrier.

The pet carrier you choose will need to be inspected and approved by Hawaiian Airlines staff before your departure. Your dog must stay in their crate during the entire time you’re in the airport terminal and on the plane, and you’ll need to place the carrier beneath the seat in front of you while on the aircraft.

Finally, please note that travelers with pets are not allowed to travel in the bulkhead, emergency exit rows, or adjacent to emergency exit rows. For more tips on safe air travel, check out our guide on how to fly with a dog.

Health Requirements and Documentation

If you’re traveling within the state of Hawaii, your pet does not require a health certificate. But if you’re traveling from Hawaii to North America, you’ll need a pet health certificate dated within the 14 days prior to your arrival.

If you’re flying back to Hawaii and the certificate is dated within 14 days of your arrival, you can use the same certificate. If it’s dated prior to this, your dog will need a new certificate.

If you’re flying back to the US mainland, you can use the same health certificate if it’s less than 30 days old. If it’s older, you’ll need to get a new certificate.

Booking Procedures and Fees

If you want to fly with your dog on Hawaiian Airlines, you can arrange for your pet to fly at the same time as you reserve your own spot on the flight. The airline encourages passengers to contact its Reservations Department at least 48 hours before their scheduled departure time and notify staff that they will be traveling with a pet.

The pet travel fee for flights within the state of Hawaii is $35, but this climbs to $175 for flights from Hawaii to North America. If traveling with a crated large dog in the cargo area, costs can be upwards of $850.00.

Exemptions and Other Considerations

Unfortunately, dogs (except service animals) are not welcome in the cabin in the following circumstances:

• In the First Class cabin on any North America flight

• Flights into the state of Hawaii

• Flights to or from New York or Boston

• Flights to or from Pago Pago

It’s also worth noting that Hawaiian Airlines welcomes service and support animals on its flights. However, additional documentation and identification may be required, so contact Hawaiian Airlines directly to arrange a reservation for your dog.

Dogs are also welcome in the cargo compartment on some flights. Keep reading to find out more about the Hawaiian Airlines pet policy for animals traveling as checked baggage.

Crate Requirements

You’ll need to choose an appropriate kennel to house your pet during the flight. This kennel must be inspected and approved by airline staff before your pup will be allowed to fly. One adult dog is permitted per carrier. Two puppies between the ages of 8 weeks and 6 months of the same breed or litter can share a carrier.

The crate you choose must be hard-sided, leak-proof, safe, and secure. It should also have handholds for easy lifting and contain some sort of absorbent material (such as a towel or absorbent pad) inside. Your pet must not be leashed or restrained while in the kennel.

The kennel must be large enough for your pet to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie down. Hawaiian Airlines accepts 4 kennel types. Maximum dimensions vary based on the size and weight of the dog. These are the maximum dimension ranges for crates permitted in the cargo hold:

• Length: Between 21 and 36 inches

• Width: Between 16 inches and 25 inches

• Height: Between 15 inches and 27 inches

• Combined weight of the dog and kennel: Between 18 lbs and 70 lbs

• Combined weight over 70 lbs and a larger crate up to 48 inches are accepted on certain flights

For a more detailed breakdown of the maximum dimensions for each kennel series, see the Hawaiin Airlines pet policy for traveling with pets as checked baggage.

If your dog and their kennel exceed the above limits, they won’t be allowed to travel as checked baggage.

Also note that only 3 crates are accepted on each flight, so booking as early as possible is recommended.

Health Requirements and Documentation

Your pup will need to be at least 8 weeks old to be accepted for travel.

Your pet does not require a health certificate for flights within Hawaii. But if you’re traveling from Hawaii to North America, you’ll need a pet health certificate dated within 14 days prior to your arrival.

On the return leg for flights back to Hawaii, if the certificate is dated within 14 days of your arrival, you can use the same certificate. If it’s dated prior to this, your dog will need a new certificate.

If you’re returning to the US mainland, the same health certificate will be accepted if it’s less than 30 days old. If it’s older, you’ll need to get a new certificate.

Due to the risk of breathing problems, particularly in Hawaii’s climate, the airline recommends against allowing short-nosed breeds to travel as checked baggage. The following dogs are some of the breeds that are “highly discouraged”:

• American Pit Bull Terrier

• American Staffordshire Terrier

• Boston Terrier

• Boxer

• Bulldogs

• Chow Chow

• Pekingese

• Pug

• Shih Tzu

• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

For a complete list of breed restrictions, refer to Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy.

Booking Procedures and Fees

If you want your dog to travel as checked baggage on a Hawaiian Airlines flight, it’s a good idea to contact the airline’s Reservations Department at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure time. Since only 3 crates are allowed in the cargo area on each flight, you should try booking your flight as early as possible to secure a spot.

The following fees apply when you fly with a dog as checked baggage:

• Flights within Hawaii: $60

• Flights to North America from Hawaii (and vice versa): $225 - $850

Web, kiosk, and mobile check-in are not allowed when flying with a dog on Hawaiian Airlines. This allows the airline’s staff to inspect your pup, your pet carrier, and any relevant documentation to ensure that it’s safe for your pet to fly.

Exemptions and Other Considerations

Please note that dogs are not allowed to travel as checked baggage on flights to or from New York, Boston, or Pago Pago.

From April 15 to October 15, pets are also not welcome on flights to or from the following embargo cities:

• San Jose, CA

• Sacramento, CA

• Las Vegas, NV

• Phoenix, AZ

Finally, it’s also worth noting that Hawaiian Airlines also operates its own cargo service, Hawaiian Air Cargo. This may be the only option for transporting your pet to specific destinations, so contact the airline for more information.

Unfortunately, Hawaiian Airlines does not accept pets in the cabin or as checked baggage on international flights to or from Hawaii. If you’re looking to transport a pet between Hawaii and an international destination, you’ll need to consider other airlines.