How Does Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy Work - TSA Rules 2026

Traveling with your pet requires very thoughtful planning, especially when it involves your emotional support animals or service animals. In this, the Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy ensures the safety and convenience of your pet's travel. From knowing the cabin rules to the different carrier requirements, you can have a smooth journey with your pet without taking any stress.

Your trip will become smoother and more pleasurable when you understand all the regulations carefully and prepare yourself correctly. This pet policy discusses various cabin and checked pet rules, applicable fees, the pet slot booking process, health documents required, and service animals regulations. Make your travel journey easier by having the complete information.

What are the Hawaiian Airlines' pet policy Rules?

When you travel with your pet, the airline takes care of all the safety measures and security of your pet. For this, they have provided a complete rulebook for the passengers. Below are some basic regulations of Hawaiian Airlines' Pet Policy that all travelers need to know:

• Only small cats and dogs are allowed inside the cabin.
• Larger pets can be transported through the cargo after completing the required documentation, as mentioned in the Hawaiian Airlines pet policy cargo.
• Household birds and rabbits can travel in the cabin while departing from Hawaii and the neighboring islands.
• Household birds can be taken as checked baggage on Hawaiian flights.
• For the pet check-in, passengers may have to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the flight departure.
• Travelers have to book their pet slots in advance and inform the airline authorities of the same.
• If they fail to do so, then the passenger will be denied boarding the flight.
• Self-service option is restricted due to the safety and security of the pet.
• The passenger should have all the health documents of the pet in printed form.
• Service pets can travel without a pet carrier.
• Make sure they are properly vaccinated and behave properly during the flight hours.
• According to the Hawaiian Airlines seat selection, for carrying 2 pets, you may have to buy 2 extra seats.

How to Add Your Pet Slot?

Passengers can add their pet slots through the online and offline modes. But they have to add it as early as possible. Below is a detailed process given:

Online Process:

• Go to the main website of Hawaiian Airlines.
• Reserve your ticket first.
• Then go to the ‘Trips’ options.
• Enter your ticket number and last name.
• Add your pets under the special services
• Then enter all your pet details.
• Pay the pet travel fees.
• You will get the confirmation via email.

Offline Process:

• Call the Hawaiian Airlines customer service department.
• Share all your booking details.
• Provide all the required pet information
• Request your pet reservation
• Pay the applicable fees at the check-in counter or at the call
• Receive the confirmation via email.

At the Airport Counter

• Go to the check-in counter.
• Tell the representative that you want to take a pet with you.
• Tell the staff that you want to take a pet with you.
• Submit all the pets' documents and the carrier.
• Pay the applicable charges.
• Get your boarding approval for your pet.

Rules For Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy in Cabin

As per the Hawaii Airlines pet policy, in-cabin pet rules are made while keeping the safety and comfort of your pet. Here are those rules explained:

• Travelers have to inform about their pet travel at least 48 hours before flight departure.
• If you have any other connecting flight in your route, then you have to inform the authorities in advance to obtain the information and fees.
• Inside the cabin, single carrier must contain:

• One dog
• Cat
• Rabbit

• When your pet is 8 weeks old, then you can keep two animals of the same breed.
• A pet must be properly vaccinated and verified through the proper documentation.

Carrier Requirements:

Pets traveling inside the cabin must fulfill the following requirements of the carrier:

• The carrier must not exceed the size limit of 17x11x9.5 inches.
• It must be made up of a soft material with at least 2 ventilated panels.
• The pet carrier must be leakproof from the bottom.
• It must be breathable so that pets can travel with comfort.
• A carrier must be free from any damage, holes, or any offensive odors.
• It must be stored in front of the seat or between your legs.
• Pet carriers must be checked at the time of check-in.
• Your pet must stay inside the cabin at the terminal or while onboarding the flight.
• Your pet carrier cannot be placed on your lap, on your seat, or in the overhead bin.
• Animals can also travel in strollers and wagons, but they have slightly different regulations than the normal carrier requirements.

Applicable Fees:

Travel Route	Booking / Travel Period	Fee (USD)
Within Hawaii Island	Traveling after 1st January, 2026	$35
Hawaii to the U.S. Mainland	Traveling after 1 Jan, 2026	$100-$125
Within Hawaii	Traveling on or after 1st January, 2026	$35

• The charges are applicable per carrier and per way.
• The mainland travel fees include the same-day interisland connections if booked under one reservation.

What are the various regulations For Checked Pets?

Below are the various regulations mentioned while taking your pets in the checked baggage:

• Checked baggage transportation is permitted only for domestic dogs and cats and pet birds which are kept as pets in homes.
• The non-eligible passengers who need to travel with checked baggage must use the Cargo service for their transportation.
• Hawaiian Airlines provides limited pet travel options that passengers must reserve in advance because of its restricted capacity.
• All connecting flights, which include Alaska Airlines, prohibit pets from traveling.
• Two pets of the same breed can travel as checked baggage, as per the baggage regulations of the airlines.

Carrier Requirements:

For traveling with your pet as checked baggage, the passenger must fulfill the following requirements:

• For transporting the household birds within the state of Hawaii, the Kennel must be mosquito-proof.
• All the kennels must be checked by the airline personnel before traveling.
• The kennel must not be more than 36x25x28.
• The weight of the Kennel must not exceed 150 lbs.
• The above given size and weight are also applicable to active-duty military personnel.
• To qualify for traveling, your pet must not be longer, wider, or taller than the given dimensions of the kennel.
• The pets that don’t qualify for the above requirements will not be permitted to travel as checked baggage.

Fees Applied:

Travel Period	Route / Eligibility	Fee (Each Way, Per Kennel)	Notes
(or flights departing through Jan 1, 2026)	Within Hawaii (Interisland)	$60 USD	Standard interisland rate
Hawaii to U.S. Mainland	$225 USD	It involves same day interisland connection on the same flight.
(for flights from Jan 2, 2026 onward)	Standard routes from U.S to Canada	$200 USD	New updated base fee
Active-duty U.S. Military & dependents	$100 USD/CAD	Discounted military rate
Within Alaska	$100 USD	Special in-state Alaska rate
Within Hawaii	$60 USD	No change from previous rate

Traveling To/From Hawaii With Pets

While traveling domestically or internationally with Hawaiian Airlines, passengers have to follow the other regulations:

In- Cabin Rules:

• Hawaii maintains its status as the only rabies-free state which results in the state implementing strict pet entry regulations.
• The Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Division requires travelers to contact their office before their departure.
• Travelers who fail to declare their pets and complete the required processes will face travel restrictions which will impact their upcoming trips.
• Flights from Honolulu follow different time schedules.
• From Flights to LIH, OGG, KOA:

• The airports lack quarantine facilities.
• A Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) is required for your entry to the islands.
• Your first entry point into Hawaii requires an entry permit.
• You need to print a physical document which you will use for check-in purposes.
• The only airport you can use without an NIIP is HNL.

Guidelines for Checked Baggage:

• Non-Stop Flights to LIH, OGG, and KOA

• The entrance requirement demands a valid NIIP document.
• The first entry point to Hawaii requires the issuance of an NIIP.
• Check-in requires you to present a printed document.
• An Authorized Inspector conducts pet inspections before the pets are released.
• You must handle your own inspection rescheduling when your flight times change or are delayed.
• The airline staff members keep possession of pets until they receive official permission to release them.

What are the restrictions while taking the Pets On board?

After knowing the regulations, there are various restrictions for taking your pets on board:

Restricted Breeds:

Snubnosed Dogs:

• American Bully
• Boston Terrier
• American Staffordshire Terrier
• American Pit Bull Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Bull Mastiff
• Bulldog
• Bull Terrier
• Chow Chow
• Dutch Pug
• English Toy Spaniel
• English Bulldog
• French Bulldog
• English Toy Spaniel
• Japanese Pug
• Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
• Lhasa Apso
• Pekingese
• Pit Bull
• Pug
• Shar Pei
• Shih Tzu
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Snubnosed Cats:

• Burmese
• Exotic
• Himalayan
• Persian

Various Route Restrictions

Pets are not permitted to travel as baggage on the following routes:

• All the International Flights
• Flights to/From PPG

Travelers must adhere to the complete baggage restriction which is enforced between April 15 and October 15 because of the severe weather conditions that are currently in effect. Below mentioned cities are restricted:

• San Jose, California
• Sacramento, California
• Las Vegas, Nevada
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Salt Lake City, Utah

Seating Restrictions:

As per the Hawaiian Airline Pet Policy, passengers inside the cabin are not permitted to select the following seats:

• First class on any flight operated by Hawaiian Airlines or a partner Airline.
• Bulkheads, exit rows, or any seats that are not adequate for the pets.

Thermal Reading for Carrier:

Pets are not accepted with the unsafe weather conditions. Their temperature must meets the above requirements:

• The temperature must be maintained at two specific points:
• The first point requires temperatures to stay below 85°F 29°C and
• The second temperature must remain above 20°F -7°C.
• The weather conditions will be continuously monitored when it stays between 20°F -7°C and 45°F 7°C.
• A veterinarian's acclimation certificate is required when the temperature reaches this point. The certificate needs to be obtained within a time frame of 10 days, which leads to travel.

What are the Required Health Documents?

Here are the health documents required for pet verification on Hawaiian Airlines in simple terms:

• All the health certificates must be obtained from the licensed veterinarian.
• Vaccination and a rabies-free document are compulsory.
• Travelers must present a USDA certificate when they enter the United States from certain countries.
• All the documents must be submitted 14 days before the arrival flights between Hawaii and the US Mainland.
• Passengers can submit the original documents of their pets within 30 days before returning to the US Mainland.

Guidelines While Taking Your Service Animals On-Board

Various regulations are mentioned below while taking your service pet on board:

• Dogs are only permitted as service animals while emotional support animals are classified as household pets.
• The training of dogs must enable them to provide assistance to individuals who have disabilities that encompass both physical and mental health conditions.
• The passenger is allowed to bring two service dogs which must remain within the boundaries of their seat and foot area.
• Federal regulations do not permit the entry of service animals that are currently undergoing training.

Documents and Forms Required:

• Travelers need to have USDA transportation form before starting their journey .

• The submission should occur at least 48 hours before the scheduled departure time which serves as the recommended timeframe.

• The form establishes proof of the dog's health status and behavioral assessment and training accomplishments.

• The form contains false information which constitutes a federal crime.

• Passengers will have to pay the extra cost if the pet’s documents were missing.

• Also, your pet must be quarantined for almost 120 days.

• Passengers must arrive at Honolulu (HNL) airport according to scheduled inspection times because late arrival at the airport will result in an overnight stay for them.

Behavior Rules:

• Your pets must be calm in nature and under control.
• They must be denied traveling if:

• They relieve themselves from the carrier.
• Your pet jumps on the other passengers.
• They show aggression, excessive barking, or wandering.

Taking Your Service Pet on International Flights:

• Passengers need to reach the veterinarian centre at least 4 weeks before the scheduled departure to obtain necessary documentation.
• Dogs reaching the US must meet all the health requirements and must be microchipped before entering the flight.

Final Verdict!

The process of traveling with pets becomes easier when travelers complete their complete preparations. You need to collect all necessary documentation together with health certificates and necessary approvals before your travel begins. The destination regulations must be checked before travel because different countries establish different rules. The Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy requires advance planning which results in both you and your pet enjoying a secure and pleasant travel experience without experiencing any last-minute difficulties.

Read Related Post:

What are the Rules of American Airlines pet policy?

Delta Airlines Pet In Cabin Policy: Travel Fees & Size Rules

UnitedAirlines Pet Policy for ESAs and Service Dogs