Hawaiian Airlines Policies: Everything You Need to Know

The Bottom Line on Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is a full-service carrier now part of the Alaska Air Group. It specializes in flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii, inter-island service, and routes to Asia and the Pacific. Hawaiian includes carry-on bags for free, offers complimentary checked bags on international flights, and has rolled out free Starlink wifi across its Airbus fleet. It's a premium experience compared to budget carriers, especially for Hawaii-bound travel.

If you're flying to Hawaii from the mainland, Hawaiian is one of your best options. The airline offers nonstop service from cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Las Vegas, New York, and Boston. For transpacific routes, Hawaiian flies to Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The fleet includes Airbus A321neo aircraft for West Coast routes, A330s for longer mainland routes, and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for international service.

Carry-On and Personal Item Policy

Personal Item (Free)

Every Hawaiian Airlines ticket includes one free personal item -- a laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or small backpack that fits under the seat in front of you. No specific dimensions are published for personal items, but it must fit entirely underneath the seat.

Carry-On Bag (Free)

Hawaiian includes one free carry-on bag on all fare types, including Main Cabin Basic. Maximum dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches and the weight limit is 25 pounds.

Pay attention to that 25-pound carry-on weight limit. Most U.S. airlines either don't enforce a carry-on weight limit or set it at 40+ pounds. Hawaiian's 25-pound limit means you need to be strategic about what goes in your carry-on versus your checked bag. If you're packing heavy shoes, books, or electronics, weigh your bag at home first.

Checked Baggage Fees

Hawaiian's checked bag fee structure varies by route type, which can get confusing. Here's the breakdown:

Domestic Flights (Mainland to Hawaii)

• First checked bag: $35 prepaid online / $40 at the airport
• Second checked bag: $45

The $5 savings for prepaying online isn't huge, but it's free money. Add your bag when you book.

Inter-Island (Neighbor Island) Flights

• First checked bag: $30
• Second checked bag: $40

These are short 30-50 minute hops, so you might get away with just a carry-on. But if you're island-hopping with gear for different activities, at least the fees are reasonable.

International Flights

• Most international routes (Japan, Korea, etc.): First and second bags are free
• Australia/New Zealand: First bag free, second bag $100

Free checked bags on international flights is a standout perk. Most U.S. airlines charge for international checked bags on economy tickets.

First Class

First Class passengers get free checked bags with a higher weight allowance of 70 pounds per bag. That's a substantial upgrade from the standard 50-pound limit.

Weight and Size Limits

Standard checked bags must weigh 50 pounds or less and measure 62 linear inches or less. Overweight and oversized fees:

• 51-70 lbs: $35 extra per bag
• 71-100 lbs: $70 extra per bag
• 62-80 linear inches: $35 extra per bag

Hawaiian's overweight fees are lower than many competitors. Alaska charges $100 for a bag over 50 lbs, while Hawaiian charges just $35. If you tend to overpack for a Hawaii vacation (and who doesn't?), this matters.

Elite and Credit Card Benefits

Atmos Rewards Gold members get two free checked bags. The Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard provides two free checked bags for the primary cardholder on Hawaiian-operated and Alaska-operated flights. That's a significant perk for frequent Hawaii travelers.

Cancellation and Change Policy

• Within 24 hours of booking: Full refund with no cancellation fee
• Main Cabin and above: No change fees -- just pay any fare difference
• Main Cabin Basic: Non-changeable and non-refundable after the 24-hour window

This is a competitive policy. Most legacy carriers have dropped change fees for standard economy and above, and Hawaiian follows suit. Main Cabin Basic is the one exception -- those cheap fares come with significant restrictions. If there's any chance your plans might change, it's worth paying a bit more for Main Cabin.

If Hawaiian cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, you're entitled to a full refund regardless of your fare type. Refunds are processed within seven business days for credit card purchases.

Name Change Policy

Hawaiian Airlines allows minor name corrections for misspellings -- limited to a maximum of 4 changed characters per correction, and you can only do it once. That's slightly more generous than the 3-character limit at most budget carriers. Beyond that threshold, it's considered a full name change, which involves additional procedures and fees.

Legal name changes for marriage, divorce, or adoption are handled with supporting documentation. Contact Hawaiian Airlines directly for these requests at 1-800-367-5320.

Tickets cannot be transferred to a different person. Always verify your name matches your government ID exactly when booking. This is especially important for Hawaii travel, since you'll need a REAL ID or passport for domestic flights.

Seat Selection Policy

Hawaiian offers several seat categories across its fare types:

• Main Cabin Basic: No seat selection at booking. Seats assigned at check-in (24 hours before departure). You can pay to upgrade to Extra Comfort for a seat assignment.
• Main Cabin: Free standard seat selection at booking
• Main Cabin Preferred: Available for a fee, typically $10-$40 depending on route
• Extra Comfort: Premium seats with more legroom, priority boarding, and a dedicated overhead bin -- available for an additional fee that varies by route
• First Class: Full seat selection included with the widest seats and most legroom

Atmos Rewards status holders get complimentary Preferred seat selection for themselves and companions on the same reservation. Seat selection fees are dynamic and non-refundable, varying based on route, aircraft, seat location, and demand.

On longer routes (mainland-Hawaii and international), spending extra for Extra Comfort is worth considering. The additional legroom makes a real difference on a 5+ hour flight.

Pet Policy

Hawaiian Airlines allows small dogs and cats in the cabin on inter-island flights and flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.

• Inter-island flights: $35 each way
• All other flights: $125 each way

The combined weight of pet and carrier cannot exceed 25 pounds. One carrier per passenger. The carrier must fit under the seat in front of you.

The $35 inter-island pet fee is one of the lowest in the industry. If you're relocating to Hawaii or traveling between islands with your pet, Hawaiian is clearly the best option.

Breed Restrictions

Hawaiian restricts snub-nosed breeds (bulldogs, pugs, Boston terriers, Persian cats) and aggressive dog breeds (pit bulls, certain mastiffs) due to safety and health concerns. Snub-nosed breeds can have breathing difficulties in the pressurized cabin. This is more restrictive than some carriers, so check the full breed list before booking.

Important Notes on Pet Travel

Pets can't travel in First Class on mainland-to-Hawaii flights or in any seat without adequate under-seat space (bulkhead, exit rows). Hawaii has strict animal quarantine laws, so if you're bringing a pet to Hawaii for the first time, start the Direct Airport Release program paperwork well in advance -- at least 120 days. Without it, your pet faces a quarantine period upon arrival.

Wifi and Entertainment

Hawaiian Airlines has rolled out free Starlink wifi across its entire Airbus fleet (A321neo and A330 aircraft). The Boeing 787-9 fleet is next for installation.

• Speed: Up to 500 Mbps with less than 99ms latency -- about 7x faster than traditional airline wifi
• Cost: Free for all passengers, regardless of fare type or loyalty status
• Capability: Fast enough for streaming video, video calls, and gaming

This is a huge deal, especially on 5-6 hour mainland-to-Hawaii flights. You can connect the moment you board and stay connected until you deplane. The connection works just like your home internet -- no special app required.

Hawaiian also offers in-flight entertainment with movies, TV shows, and games. On widebody aircraft (A330 and 787), seatback screens are available with a full entertainment library. On narrowbody A321neo planes, stream entertainment to your own device through the Hawaiian Airlines portal.

Other Key Policies

Alaska Airlines Integration

Since Hawaiian Airlines is now part of Alaska Air Group, the two airlines are integrating loyalty programs and operations. Hawaiian's HawaiianMiles has merged into the Atmos Rewards program. You can earn and use miles across both Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines flights, plus Oneworld partner airlines. This opens up a huge network of redemption options.

Inter-Island Travel

Hawaiian dominates inter-island routes between Honolulu (OGG), Maui (OGG), Kona (KOA), Hilo (ITO), Lihue (LIH), and other Hawaiian airports. These are short flights (30-50 minutes) with simplified service. Inter-island fares can be very affordable, especially when booked in advance.

Food and Drinks

Main Cabin passengers on longer flights receive complimentary meals -- a rarity among U.S. airlines. Hawaiian is known for its island-inspired menu featuring local flavors like poi, macadamia nuts, and Kona coffee. First Class passengers get an elevated dining experience with multi-course meals and premium beverages on long-haul routes. Even on inter-island flights, you'll get a complimentary beverage service.

Power Outlets

Most Hawaiian aircraft have AC power outlets and USB ports available at every seat, which is essential for those longer transpacific flights. Charge up your devices so you can enjoy that free Starlink wifi for the full flight.

Unaccompanied Minors

Hawaiian accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5-11 on nonstop flights for a fee. Children 12-17 can travel alone without the unaccompanied minor service but can still opt in for added peace of mind.

Check-In

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure for domestic flights and 36 hours for international flights. Airport counters close 60 minutes before domestic departures and 90 minutes before international flights. For inter-island flights, the cutoff is typically 30 minutes.