Hawaiian AirlinesHA

Hawaiian Airlines is the largest airline based in Hawaii and the 10th-largest commercial airline in the United States. Founded in 1929, the carrier has provided nearly a century of service connecting the Hawaiian Islands to the mainland United States, Asia, and the South Pacific. Headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaiian operates from its hub at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

In September 2024, Alaska Airlines completed its acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines for approximately $1.9 billion. The merger created a combined carrier with enhanced West Coast and Pacific coverage while maintaining both beloved brands. Hawaiian Airlines continues to operate under its own name with its distinctive purple and coral livery, preserving its 95-year legacy and Hawaiian hospitality. The airline is scheduled to join the oneworld alliance in spring 2026, alongside Alaska Airlines.

Hawaiian serves approximately 30 destinations, including 15 U.S. mainland cities, multiple Asian destinations (Tokyo, Osaka, Seoul), Australia (Sydney, Brisbane), New Zealand (Auckland), and the South Pacific. The airline is best known for its extensive neighbor island network, operating over 170 daily flights between the Hawaiian Islands.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Must fit under the seat in front of you
• Examples: Purse, laptop bag, small backpack

Cabin Bag (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight: 25 lbs (11 kg) maximum
• Must fit in overhead bin

Hawaiian Airlines includes a full-size carry-on bag on all fares, including basic economy tickets. This is more generous than most U.S. mainland carriers.

Checked Baggage

Size Limits (all routes):

• Maximum linear dimensions: 62" / 157 cm (length + width + height)
• Standard weight limit: 50 lbs (23 kg)

Neighbor Island Flights (within Hawaii):

Fare	1st Bag	2nd Bag	3rd+ Bag
Economy	$30	$40	$50 each
Economy (Atmos Member)	$15	$20	$50 each
First Class	Free	Free	$50 each

North America Flights (Hawaii to/from Mainland):

Fare	1st Bag	2nd Bag	Weight Limit
Economy	$35	$35	50 lbs (23 kg)
Extra Comfort	$35	$35	50 lbs (23 kg)
First Class	Free	Free	70 lbs (32 kg)

International Flights:

Route	Economy	First/Business
Japan	2 bags free	2 bags free (32 kg each)
Australia/New Zealand	1 bag free, 2nd $100	2 bags free
South Pacific	1 bag free	2 bags free

Overweight & Oversized Fees

Overweight Bags:

Weight Range	Neighbor Island	North America
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	$35	$100
71-100 lbs (33-45 kg)	$70	$200
Over 100 lbs	Not accepted	Not accepted

Oversized Bags:

• 63-80 linear inches: $100
• Over 80 linear inches: Not accepted as checked baggage

Elite Status & Credit Card Benefits

Atmos Rewards Elite Members:

• Atmos Gold: 2 free checked bags
• Atmos Platinum: 3 free checked bags
• Atmos Titanium: 3 free checked bags

Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard:

• Primary cardholder: 2 free checked bags on Hawaiian or Alaska-operated flights (domestic only)
• Companion on same reservation also receives free bags

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag, max 50 lbs
Skis/Snowboards	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag
Surfboards	$100	Under 9'6"; longer boards $150
Bicycles	$175	Must be boxed or in hard case
Car seats	Free	Gate-check available
Strollers	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchairs	Free	Gate-check or cargo
Musical instruments	Standard fee	Hard case recommended for checked

Fees verified January 2025. Check hawaiianairlines.com/legal/list-of-all-fees for current pricing.

Hawaiian Airlines offers a distinctly Hawaiian experience with island-inspired hospitality, complimentary meals on most routes, and Hawaiian entertainment.

First Class (Lie-Flat on Long-Haul)

Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Leihoku Suites):

• Configuration: 1-2-1 (direct aisle access for all passengers)
• Lie-flat seats with sliding privacy doors
• 18" HD touchscreen entertainment
• AC power, USB ports, and wireless charging
• Premium amenity kit
• Multi-course meals by Hawaiian chefs
• Welcome mai tai or POG juice

Airbus A330 (International/Transcontinental):

• Configuration: 2-2-2
• 180-degree lie-flat seats (18 seats total)
• Seat pitch: 76" when flat
• 16" personal entertainment screen
• Power outlets at every seat
• Amenity kit with Hawaiian-inspired products
• Pre-departure beverages including signature mai tai

First Class (Domestic/Neighbor Island):

• Recliner seats with 40-45" pitch
• Priority boarding and dedicated overhead bins
• Complimentary meals and premium beverages
• Enhanced meal service on longer routes

Extra Comfort (Premium Economy)

• Seat pitch: 36" (5" more than economy; 34" on 787)
• Located at front of economy cabin
• Priority boarding (before main cabin)
• USB charging port at every seat
• Amenity kit on international flights (includes earphones, eye shade, toiletries)
• Same complimentary meals as main cabin
• Price: $59-$250 depending on route

Note: Starting April 2026, Extra Comfort will be rebranded as "Premium Class" to align with Alaska Airlines.

Main Cabin (Economy)

Seat Specifications:

• Seat pitch: 31" (standard)
• Configuration: 3-3 (Boeing 717), 2-4-2 (A330), 3-3-3 (787)
• Power outlets on newer aircraft
• Personal device entertainment via app

Complimentary Service:

• Full meal service on North America routes (5+ hours)
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages on all flights
• Complimentary blanket and pillow on long-haul

For Purchase:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Premium snacks
• In-flight purchases

Entertainment

• Streaming entertainment via Hawaiian Airlines app (download before flight)
• Seatback screens in First Class and on A330/787 aircraft
• Hawaiian music, films, and cultural programming
• WiFi available on most aircraft (fee-based)

Food & Beverage Highlights

Hawaiian emphasizes local cuisine:

• Meals created in partnership with Hawaiian chefs
• POG (passion-orange-guava) juice
• Macadamia nuts
• Honolulu Cookie Company cookies as parting gift
• Island-inspired cocktails including the signature mai tai

Booking

• Book direct: Hawaiian price-matches and provides better support for changes
• Join Atmos Rewards before booking: Even free membership gets reduced neighbor island bag fees ($15 vs $30)
• Compare total cost: Hawaiian includes carry-on bags on all fares unlike some competitors
• Check Alaska codeshares: Since the merger, you can book Hawaiian flights on Alaska's website with seamless connections

At the Airport

• Honolulu (HNL): Hawaiian operates from Terminals 1 and 2. Allow extra time during peak morning departures
• Neighbor island flights: Board early as overhead bin space fills quickly on 717s
• Lei greeting: Available for purchase as an add-on when booking

Saving Money

• Atmos status from credit cards: Card spending counts toward status points
• Neighbor Island deals: Interisland fares often drop during sales; sign up for alerts
• Mistake fares: Hawaiian occasionally posts error fares to Asia; follow deal sites

Upgrades

• Extra Comfort: Book at time of purchase for best price; gate upgrades available but cost more
• First Class upgrades: Atmos elite members can upgrade at check-in when available
• Paid upgrades: Offered via email 24-48 hours before departure

In-Flight

• Download entertainment: Hawaiian uses streaming entertainment; download the app and content before your flight
• Charge devices: Power outlets are not available on older aircraft or all neighbor island flights
• Meal pre-order: Not required but special dietary requests should be made 24+ hours ahead

Connections

• Minimum connection time at HNL: 60 minutes domestic-domestic; 90 minutes with international segment
• Neighbor island connections: Book on same ticket to protect against delays
• Alaska connections: Seamless booking and baggage transfer with Alaska Airlines codeshares

Guide last updated January 2025. For the most current policies, visit hawaiianairlines.com.