Hawaiian Airlines Pet in Cabin Travel Guide
Preparing
for Travel
Pet Carrier
Guidelines
Animal
Guidelines
Documentation
Requirements
Day of Travel FAQ
Additional
Resources
REVISED: MAY 2024
At Hawaiian Airlines, we understand that pets are an important part
of your family. This guide outlines the necessary requirements for
your pet to travel safely and comfortably in the cabin with us.
Here are the things you should know:
Preparing for Travel
Only domestic cats and dogs are permitted in the cabin.
Pets are not permitted to travel in the cabin on these routes:
Flights to/from all international locations, PPG, JFK, BOS, AUS, and SLC.
For North America flights arriving in HNL before Animal Quarantine opens at 8:30 AM:
The State of Hawaii requires that you and your pet remain in the terminal with a Hawaiian
Airlines agent until the facility opens and can be escorted there.
Guests traveling with a pet in cabin cannot occupy these seats:
First Class on any flight between North America and Hawaii.
Bulkheads, exit rows, and any seat without adequate under-seat stowage for your pet.
Stowage requirements during travel:
Your pet must stay completely inside its carrier while in the terminal or onboard the flight.
You may open the carrier momentarily to place your own food or water inside.
Your pet/carrier must be stowed under the seat in front of you at all times during the flight.
The pet or carrier cannot be placed on your lap, on a seat, or an overhead bin.
Under-seat stowage dimensions varies by aircraft type and seat location. If your pet
carrier does not fit properly beneath the seat, your may have to be reseated or opt
to transport your pet in the baggage compartment using a hard-sided kennel.
Restrictions and Seating
To promote a stress-free travel experience with your pet, we
encourage you consider these guidelines when booking your flight.
Advance Notice
We recommend that you provide at least 48-hour advance notice of your intent to travel with your
pet by calling our Reservations Department at 1-800-367-5320. Failure to disclose an animal to us
prior to boarding may result in future travel restriction. If your travel plans include another airline,
please contact them directly for booking and information.
Pet Carrier Guidelines
Pets traveling in the cabin must use a carrier that complies with all
Hawaiian Airlines requirements, which are based on IATA’s Live
Animal Regulations. An agent will inspect and measure the carrier at
check-in to confirm all requirements are met.
Carrier Compliance and Limits
To be accepted for travel, the pet carrier must be:
No larger than 17” long x 11” wide x 9.5” tall
Composed entirely of soft material with ventilation panels on all 4 sides
Leakproof on the bottom (base that will sit on the aircraft floor)
Able to close securely and fully encase the animal
Clean and free from damage, holes, or offensive odors
Able to be stowed properly beneath the seat in front of you
Each ticketed guest may bring one pet carrier in the cabin. A single carrier may contain:
1 adult cat or dog, OR
2 puppies or kittens of the same breed (age 8 weeks to 6 months old)
Example
Has ventilation
panels on all 4 sides
Composed of soft-
sided material
Closes securely and
completely with the use
of velcro, zippers, etc.
Damage free and clean
with no offensive odors
Fully encases
the animal
Base is solid and
leakproof
Animal Guidelines
Hawaiian Airlines complies with IATA’s Live Animal Regulations,
which requires that animals fit safely and comfortably in their carrier.
An agent will observe and inspect your pet at check-in to confirm all
requirements are met.
Animal Fit, Comfort, and Behavior
To be accepted for travel, your pet must:
Be a domestic dog or cat.
Show no visible signs of illness, injury, or physical discomfort.
Be small enough to lay down comfortably with their head in the upright position while the
carrier is closed and when stowed beneath the seat.
Be well behaved. No excessive barking, whining, or disruptive behavior.
Example
NOT ACCEPTABLE:
• Too big for the carrier
• No space to lay down
comfortably with head upright
• Does not fit entirely in carrier
• Head cannot be comfortably
enclosed
ACCEPTABLE
:
Fits comfortably, space to lay down
easily, head able to stay upright.
Documentation Requirements
All guests traveling from North America to Hawaii must contact the
State of Hawaii Animal
Industry Division
for information regarding government requirements and fees to enter Hawaii.
Non-stop flights from North America to HNL
Honolulu (
HNL) is the only Hawaii airport that has an onsite Animal Quarantine Facility to
conduct an arrival inspection of your pet.
Non-stop flights from North America to OGG, LIH, and KOA
These a
irports do not have an animal quarantine facility onsite. An Authorized Inspector
will come to the airport and conduct an arrival screening of your pet in the terminal.
You must obtain a Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) from the
State of Hawaii
Animal Industry Division
and provide a printed copy to HA at check-in.
If your flight is changed or delayed, contact the Authorized Inspector on your NIIP directly
to book a new airport inspection appointment. HA cannot do this on your behalf.
State of Hawaii Animal Entry Requirements
To maintain Hawaii’s rabies-free status, the State of Hawaii has very
strict animal entry requirements. Hawaiian Airlines also has some
additional requirements to help ensure your pets are fit to travel.
Please make sure to obtain the proper documents for your pet.
Health Certificates
For the safety and well-being of your pet, we require a health certificate for travel on most routes.
Health certificate requirements by route:
Only w
ithin Hawaii: NOT REQUIRED
Between H
awaii and North America: REQUIRED
Must b
e dated to show an inspection occurred no more than 14 days prior to arrival
at your destination. A printed copy must be given to HA at check-in.
For re
turn flights to North America (booked in the same reservation), the original
certificate can be used if the inspection was conducted less than 30 days ago.
Day of Travel
Boarding
Please board with the zone on your boarding pass.
FAA cabin safety regulations require proper stowage of all items, including pets. If your pet
cannot fit properly beneath the seat in front of you, you may have to be reseated or have
your pet travel in the baggage compartment using a hard-sized kennel.
Arrival into Hawaii
Please identify yourself to the Hawaiian Airlines arrival agent as you deplane the flight. The
agent is required by law to escort you and your pet to animal inspection.
It is a State of Hawaii violation to leave the arrival gate without an airline escort or depart
the airport before your animal has been screened.
If your flight arrives in HNL before the Animal Quarantine Facility opens at 8:30 AM, you
will need to remain in the terminal with an agent until it opens and can be escorted there.
Boarding and Arrival
Air travel can be challenging for people and pets alike. Familiarizing
yourself with this guidance can help provide a more hassle-free trip.
Airport Check-In
When traveling with a pet, all self-service check-in options will be restricted. Please see an agent
at the Service Counter in the lobby before going to the gate.
Lines are long during peak periods. To expedite check-in, we recommend getting in line at least 3
hours prior to scheduled departure with printed copies of all documents in hand. Our agent will
inspect your pet and their carrier, verify applicable documents, collect your pet fee, and place a
special tag on your carrier to identify your pet to our gate and flight crew.
Pet in Cabin fees
Within Hawaii: $35 USD
Between Hawaii and North America: $125 USD
This fee includes connecting interisland flights on the same day when booked in
the same reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you best prepare for travel with your pet in the cabin, we have provided
answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Q: Can I buy an extra seat specifically for my pet?
A: No. For safety purposes, pets must be stowed beneath the seat directly in front of the one
you occupy. They also cannot be placed on a seat or in your lap.
Q: Can I travel with more than 1 pet in the cabin?
A: Each ticketed individual may travel with only 1 pet carrier. However, a pet carrier may
contain up to 2 puppies or 2 kittens if they are of the same breed and between 8 weeks to 6
months old. The animal fit requirements still apply.
Q: Does Hawaiian Airlines offer pet carriers for purchase or rent?
A: No. Please provide your own compliant carrier to transport your pet.
Q: What happens if my pet/carrier doesn’t fit under the seat when I board the flight?
A: Stowage dimensions vary among fleets types and individual seat locations. The FAA
requires that all items, including pets, be stored properly onboard. If your pet is approved at
check-in, but cannot properly fit under the seat, you cannot travel in that seat with your pet.
When available, the agent may offer to relocate you to another seat in the same class of
service that can accommodate your pet. Otherwise, you may opt to be rebooked on another
flight and transport your pet in the baggage compartment using a hard-sided kennel.
Q: What are the requirements if my pet travels in the baggage compartment?
A: Pets traveling in our baggage compartment have additional requirements to ensure their
safety and comfort during transit. Please visit our
Pets Traveling as Checked Baggage
page for more information.
Q: If Hawaiian Airlines determines my pet is too large to travel in the cabin, can I sign a
waiver and allow them to fly anyway?
A: No. While we understand that you may feel comfortable with your pet’s ability to travel, we
must abide by our safety standards to ensure the well-being of your pet while onboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I gate check my pet stroller?
A: Pet strollers do not qualify for complimentary gate checking. If you are traveling with a pet
stroller, it may be checked as baggage at the front counter (standard bag fees apply).
Alternatively, you may opt to carry it onboard as one of your two items, provided it meets
our standard carry-on size limits.
Q: I traveled with my pet in the cabin before. Why is it being denied this time?
A: We take the safety, comfort, and well-being of your pet seriously. To maintain a high level of
service to our community while still complying with regulatory standards, we have updated
our Pet in Cabin program.
Changes include a larger allowable carrier size and more relaxed fit guidelines, as well as
consistent and enhanced enforcement of our acceptance requirements.
Q: Do the animal carrier and size/fit rules apply to my service animal?
A: S
ervice animals are not required to travel in a pet carrier onboard. However, since your
service dog is a live animal, the carrier compliance and animal fit rules would apply if you
choose to use a carrier. Please visit our
Service Animals
page for more information.
Q: C
an my emotional support or comfort animal travel in the cabin with me?
A: The US Department of Transportation’s Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) no longer recognizes
emotional support or comfort animals as service animals. Due to this regulation, your
support or comfort animal will be considered a pet for the purpose of travel on Hawaiian
Airlines. They may travel onboard with you if all standard Pet in Cabin requirements are met.
This includes remaining in the carrier and being stowed beneath the seat while onboard.
Q: Can my pet travel to US East Coast or International cities with me?
A: To ensure the safety and comfort of your pet, we only accept pets in the cabin or as checked
b
aggage on interisland and short-haul domestic flights to/from Hawaii. Please visit our
Pets Traveling as Checked Baggage
page for more information.
If you would like to transport your pet to other locations, please contact our Cargo Capacity
team at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746) or visit the
HA Cargo Live Animal
page for
information.
Additional Resources
Click on any of the items below to be redirected to the corresponding website.
Hawaiian Airlines Contac
t Us page
Hawaiian Airlines Pets Tr
aveling in the Cabin help page
Hawaiian Airlines Pets Tr
aveling as Checked Baggage help page
Hawaiian Airlines Car
go Capacity Live Animals information page
State of Hawaii Animal
Industry Division, Animal Quarantine Branch information page
Website Links
Call Us
To book your pet in cabin or get more information, call our Reservations team.
Availability: 24 hours
, 7 days a week
Toll Free: 1-800-367
-5320
For guests with he
aring or speech disabilities (TTY), dial 711 for relay services.
Mahalo for choosing Hawaiian Airlines. We look forward to seeing you onboard.
