Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Policy: Everything You Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies.  Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry on” to the plane.   Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t assume that what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying Hawaiian Airlines, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Hawaiian’s carry-on policy. This includes Hawaiian’s carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limit

Hawaiian Airlines allows each ticketed guest one personal item and one carry-on bag at no charge.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

Hawaiian Airlines’ size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″. Although, their official policy states it a little differently. The Hawaiian website states that a carry-on bag cannot exceed 9L x 14W x 22H or 45 linear inches (114 cm) (length + width + height).

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, Hawaiian Airlines typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.

Other items you can carry on board

In addition to your one carry-on bag and personal item, you can bring the following items on board:

• A stroller
• A handbag or pocketbook;
• An overcoat, jacket, or wrap;
• A small foot rug;
• An umbrella or walking stick;
• A camera and/or a pair of binoculars;
• A reasonable amount of reading matter for the flight; and
• Food (including baby food) for consumption on the flight.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Weight Limit

Hawaiian Airlines limits the weight of your carry-on bag to 25 pounds.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Guidelines for Basic Economy

There is no charge to carry a bag when you buy a Hawaiian Main Cabin Basic Economy fare.  The carry-on rules are the same for all classes of service.  The main difference is with a Basic Economy ticket, you’ll be one of the last to board, so overhead space will be limited.

Recommended Carry-On Bag for Hawaiian Airlines

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying Hawaiian, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.

Hawaiian Airlines Personal Item Size & Fees

With Hawaiian Airlines, a personal item is a laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you.  In each case, it must fit safely under the seat in front of you.

Carry-On Rules for Inter-Island Commuter Planes

Hawaiian Airlines Inter-Island commuter flights are on smaller planes with limited overhead space.  If your carry-on is larger than the personal item dimensions, you must gate-check your bag before boarding.

All carry-on bags within Hawaiian Airlines’ size restrictions will be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning.

Despite this “official rule” there are some bags you can carry on a regional jet.  Check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.

Related Content: Hawaiian Airlines Flight Deals

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline.  Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.

It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag differ from those that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage.

Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked luggage.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate this:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Hawaiian Airlines Food Policy

The TSA also sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

• The food you bring with you from home, and
• The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Hawaiian Airlines flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   However, once you are through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Pet Policy

A pet traveling in the cabin must be carried in an approved soft-sided kennel. The kennel must always fit completely under the seat in front of you and remain there. The maximum dimensions for soft-sided kennels are 16 inches long x 10 inches wide x 9.5 inches high with a maximum weight of 25 pounds.

Here are some additional things to be aware of:

• Carriers must be soft-sided and leakproof.
• The carrier must be large enough to allow the animal to sit, stand upright, turn and lay down in a natural position.
• The animal is required to stay in its carrier while in the terminal and onboard the aircraft.
• Animal carriers are prohibited from the bulkhead, emergency exit rows, and rows adjacent to emergency exit rows.
• The carrier must be stowed under the seat directly in front of the guest.

Additional information can be found on Hawaiian’s Pet Policy Page.

Does Hawaiian Airlines Charge to Bring a Pet on Board with You?

Yes.  There is a charge to bring a pet on board with you.  Below is a chart showing the pet fees Hawaiian Airlines charges each way.   Double them for a round-trip flight.

To/From Destination	Pet Fee Each Way
Travel within Hawaii	$ 35.00
Travel from Hawaii to North America	$175.00

Service animals have some separate guidelines.  Here is a link to Hawaiian Airlines’ service animal rules.

TSA-Approved Pet Carrier for Hawaiian Airlines

If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policy.

I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight with us and it worked great!

Prohibited and Restricted Items

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Prohibited Items:

Here is a list of items that are considered dangerous goods and are strictly prohibited on Hawaiian Airlines flights:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Self-defense sprays, such as mace and pepper spray
• Explosives, including fireworks and flares
• Flammable liquids, including gasoline, lighter fluid, and kerosene
• Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
• Knives and sharp objects (pocket knives, cutting instruments, razors, ice picks, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
• Any alcoholic beverage with more than 70 percent alcohol
• Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
• Hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, gravity boards, and self-balancing devices
• Medical or liquid oxygen 
• Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
• Wet-cell batteries

Restricted Items:

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with TSA regulations:

• Knitting/scissors
• Hiking or trekking poles
• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Batteries
• Food as a carry-on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the TSA’s rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• FAA Packsafe List

Hawaiian Airlines Carry-On Size and Fees

Hawaiian Airlines does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements.  If your bag is too large and does not meet Hawaiian Airlines’ carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate-check it.

Here is a link to Hawaiian’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles….

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. Guide to Hawaiian Airlines Deals and Promo Codes
5. Passport Requirements for Hawaii
6. Hawaiian Words and Phrases you need to know
7. Hawaiian Airlines Delays and Cancellation Policy