Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Policy and Charges

Hawaiian Airlines has a pretty unique market, so its fees for checked bags and rules for carry-ons are also different. The Hawaiian Airlines baggage policy also has a number of ways to bring luggage without having to pay extra.

Your ability to avoid these fees depends on many things, like where you’re flying and whether or not you have elite status or carry the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about how Hawaiian Airlines handles your luggage.

Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Policy

Hawaiian Airlines’ policy on checked bags is one of the most generous in the industry. It also reflects the unique places it goes to. Hawaiian Airlines’ fees for checked bags depend not only on where you’re going but also on where you’re coming from. You can avoid these fees in a number of ways, such as if you have the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard or if you are a high-ranking member of Hawaiian Airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-on Guidelines

The rules for what you can bring on Hawaiian Airlines flights are easy to understand and customer-friendly.

On every flight, everyone is allowed to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag. This includes people who buy Main Cabin Basic, which is Hawaiian’s version of the basic economy. Hawaiian says that a person’s personal item should fit under the seat in front of them. Backpacks, purses, briefcases, and laptop bags are all examples of things that belong to an individual.

The size rules for carry-on bags in Hawaii say that your bag can’t be bigger than 22 by 14 by 9 inches. Your bag shouldn’t weigh more than 25 pounds, either.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-on Allowance

1 personal item: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE

Size and Weight Restrictions

• Personal: Size and weight are not given, but Hawaiian Airlines says the item must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.
• Standard: 22 by 14 by 9 inches (55.9 by 35.5 by 22.9 cm) and 25 pounds (11.34 kg).

Lap Infant Carry-on Policy

• The infant is not permitted a carry-on bag.
• Passengers may bring a car seat onboard and use it if there is an available seat (subject to the airline’s travel safety seat policy).
• Strollers will be checked free of charge at the gate; small, collapsible strollers may be carried on if they meet all of the standard size/weight restrictions for carry-on bags.

Hawaiian Airlines Checked Baggage Allowance

All checked bags are limited to a maximum of 50 pounds (23 kg) in weight and 62 inches (157 cm) in length.

Additional/excess Baggage Fees

Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Exclusions and Waivers

As a member benefit, HawaiianMiles members will pay less for their first and second checked bags when flying entirely within the State of Hawaii between neighboring islands.

$10 off the first bag.
$15 off for a second bag.
The first three bags are free for Pualani Platinum members only (members only). The appropriate overweight and excess baggage charges will be charged. The fourth bag fee will be applied to the following extra bag.

The initial two bags are free for Pualani Gold and Premier Club members (members only). The appropriate overweight and excess baggage charges will be charged. The third bag fee will be applied to the subsequent additional bag.

The primary cardholder of the Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® is entitled to two free checked bags when flying on flights run by Hawaiian Airlines. Flights abroad are not included. In addition to any elite member baggage allowance, this is also allowed.

On flights leaving from Hawaii to North America, Hawaiian Airlines will accept one pre-packaged box of papayas or pineapples, free of charge (based on space availability). The box needs to pass a pre-agriculture inspection and cannot weigh more than 10 pounds.

Can I Pay for My Baggage in Advance?

When you check in online 24 hours before your flight, Hawaiian Airlines does let you pay for your luggage ahead of time.

Passengers need to go to the website’s Manage Flights page and click on Check-in Online. This is where they can pay any fees for their bags or in case your flight get delayed you can check hawaiian airline flight delay policy.

Avoiding Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Fees

Even if you want to bring checked baggage on your next flight, there are several ways to avoid paying Hawaiian Airlines baggage fees.

Elite status allowances

Both Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles status levels offer checked bag benefits, though they are more restrictive than many other airlines:

• Pualani Gold members are entitled to a free first and second checked bag on all flights.
• Pualani Platinum members can check up to three bags free of charge on all flights.
• Unlike many other airlines, elite members are not able to extend the checked bag benefit to other passengers on their reservation.

Credit card

Customers who use their Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard to purchase tickets directly from Hawaiian Airlines receive a checked baggage allowance on select flights. Members can, for example, bring two checked bags of standard size and weight on flights between North America and Hawaii (and between “Neighbor Islands”).

This benefit, however, differs slightly for Pualani Platinum, Pualani Gold, and Premier Club members. These Hawaiian fans who are also primary cardholders of the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard can bring one extra checked bag free of charge when flying between North America and Hawaii (and between neighboring islands).

Fly first class

If you fly first class on any Hawaiian Airlines flight, you will receive your first and second checked bags free of charge.

Use Card Travel Credits to Cover Fees

A number of travel rewards credit cards offer annual statement credits for travel purchases. Some credit cards provide a credit that can be applied to a variety of travel-related purchases, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® with its $300 annual travel credit.

However, certain American Express cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, provide annual credits for incidental airline fees. As long as you enroll in this benefit and select Hawaiian as your preferred airline, you may be eligible for reimbursement of your baggage fees through this credit.

Bottom line

Hawaiian Airlines has a more customer-friendly baggage policy than many other airlines, particularly for flights between neighboring islands.

However, the Hawaiian Airlines baggage policy for elite members and credit cardholders is significantly more restrictive.

This benefit is exclusive to the elite member and primary cardholder and does not extend to other travelers on the same reservation. This is in stark contrast to the majority of other airlines, which offer this benefit to up to eight traveling companions of elite members.

Hawaiian’s carry-on policy, which permits a full-size carry-on bag and a personal item on all tickets, including Main Cabin Basic, distinguishes it from the majority of other airlines.

Hawaiian Airlines has flexible pet policies called hawaiian airline pet policy that can change based on where you are going or where you are leaving from. 

FAQ’s

1. How Many Checked Bags Are Allowed and What Are the Fees for Hawaiian Airlines?

The allowed number of checked bags and associated fees vary by cabin class and destination. In the Main Cabin (Neighbor Island), the first bag costs $25, the second bag costs $35, and each additional bag costs $50.

2. Can Lap Infants Bring a Carry-on Bag on Hawaiian Airlines Flights?

No, lap infants are not permitted to bring a carry-on bag, but a car seat may be brought onboard if there is space.

3. What Are the Size and Weight Restrictions for Carry-on Bags on Hawaiian Airlines?

Carry-on bags must not exceed 22 by 14 by 9 inches (55.9 by 35.5 by 22.9 cm) and 25 pounds (11.34 kg) in weight.

4. What Are the Check-in Options Available for Hawaiian Airlines Flights?