Airlines That Fly Pets to Hawaii

TLDR: Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the primary options for flying a pet to Hawaii. United and Delta do not accept pets on Hawaii routes for the general public. American Airlines accepts cargo pets into Honolulu only, with no cabin option and no direct service to neighbor islands. All airlines flying pets to Hawaii are subject to seasonal embargoes and breed restrictions that vary by carrier.

Choosing an airline for a Hawaii pet move is not a simple comparison. Cabin access, cargo availability, breed restrictions, and seasonal embargoes all differ significantly by carrier on Hawaii routes. This article covers the five major airlines serving Hawaii and what each actually allows, verified directly from airline sources as of June 11, 2026. For the full regulatory picture, see our Hawaii pet import requirements guide.

Airline policies change frequently. Verify all details directly with your carrier before booking.

The Short Version: Which Airlines Accept Pets to Hawaii

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines is the most straightforward option for flying a pet to Hawaii, with both cabin and checked baggage options on mainland-to-Hawaii routes. Full current policy details are available at hawaiianairlines.com.

Cabin travel
Small dogs and cats travel in the cabin on inter-island flights and mainland US to Hawaii routes. The combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 25 lbs. Carrier must be soft-sided, leak-proof, and fit under the seat, with maximum dimensions of 17" x 11" x 9.5". One carrier per passenger; one animal per carrier (exception: two puppies or kittens from the same litter under 6 months). At least 48 hours advance notice required. Check in no later than 3 hours before departure with printed copies of all required documents. Contact Hawaiian Airlines directly for current cabin pet fees.

Hawaiian Airlines does not accept cabin pets on flights originating from certain cities. Verify current restricted origins directly with Hawaiian Airlines before booking.

Checked baggage
Dogs, cats, and household birds travel as checked baggage in a pressurized, temperature-controlled hold. Combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 70 lbs for standard checked baggage. Hard-sided kennel required. Kennel dimensions vary by aircraft: 717 aircraft: 36" x 25" x 28"; 767 aircraft: 36" x 25" x 28". Contact Hawaiian Airlines directly for current checked baggage pet fees.

Seasonal embargo, checked baggage
Hawaiian Airlines does not accept pets as checked baggage during the annual embargo period of April 15 to October 15. This embargo applies to and from specific cities with extreme weather conditions. Verify the current embargo city list directly with Hawaiian Airlines before booking summer travel.

Brachycephalic breeds, checked baggage
Due to respiratory risks in Hawaii's tropical climate, Hawaiian Airlines strongly discourages and does not recommend brachycephalic (short-nosed) animals traveling as checked baggage. This is not a hard prohibition but a strong caution. Brachycephalic breeds include but are not limited to: Bulldogs, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Persian cats, Himalayan cats. Cabin travel remains available for these breeds if size requirements are met.

Cargo
For pets not eligible for cabin or checked baggage travel, Hawaiian Airlines Cargo handles transport. Contact Hawaiian Airlines Cargo directly at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746) or hawaiianaircargo.com for current rates and availability.

Neighbor island routing
Hawaiian Airlines operates inter-island routes and participates in neighbor island pet transport. If your pet has a valid NIIP for a direct neighbor island arrival, confirm participation with Hawaiian Airlines before booking, as not all flights on all routes accept pets.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines merged operations with Hawaiian Airlines in 2024 and now operates under a combined pet travel program. Alaska routes to Hawaii accept pets under the combined Hawaiian/Alaska policy described above. The following Alaska-specific details apply to Alaska-operated flights. Current policy details are posted at alaskaair.com.

Cabin travel
Small dogs and cats in an under-seat carrier. Combined weight of pet and carrier must not exceed 20 lbs. Carrier must be soft-sided and fit under the seat. Maximum 3 carriers in First Class and 8 in Main Cabin per flight, so space is limited. Only dogs and cats accepted on Hawaii routes; rabbits and household birds are not accepted in cabin on Hawaii flights. Contact Alaska Airlines directly for current cabin pet fees.

Checked baggage
Dogs and cats travel as checked baggage in a climate-controlled hold. Hard-sided kennel required. Accepted kennel sizes: 100 (21x16x15), 200 (27x20x19), 300 (32x22x23), 400 (36x24x26), 500 (40x27x30). Contact Alaska Airlines directly for current checked baggage pet fees.

Breed restrictions, checked baggage
Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds are not accepted as checked baggage on most routes. Restricted breeds for checked baggage (mainland routes): Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog (all breeds), Bull Terrier, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull (all breeds), Pug (all breeds), Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Terrier. Restricted cat breeds: Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian.

Seasonal and route embargoes
Alaska limits the number of dogs and cats accepted as checked baggage on flights to or from Hawaii due to strong headwinds at various times of year. This restriction does not apply to cabin pets. Additionally, pets are not accepted in the baggage or cargo compartment on Alaska flights numbered 2000 to 2999 and 3300 to 3499 during November 15 through January 10 (holiday embargo). Temperature restrictions apply: pets accepted only when departure and arrival city temperatures are between 45°F and 85°F.

Pet Connect cargo
Alaska Air Cargo's Pet Connect program accepts pets traveling without an accompanying passenger. Available on Alaska and Hawaiian Air Cargo routes. Contact Alaska Air Cargo directly for current rates and Hawaii-specific availability.

United Airlines

United Airlines does not accept pets on Hawaii routes for general passengers. This is a hard restriction, not a seasonal embargo.

United suspended its PetSafe cargo program and has not reinstated it. Pets cannot travel as checked baggage or cargo on United for civilian passengers.

The only exception: active-duty US military and State Department Foreign Service officers on permanent change of station orders may be able to transport pets in cargo on specific routes (notably Honolulu to Guam). This exception does not apply to civilian passengers.

Bottom line for Hawaii moves: United is not a viable option for most pet owners moving to Hawaii. If you have a United itinerary, your pet will need to travel on a different carrier.

Delta Airlines

Delta Airlines does not accept pets on flights to or from Hawaii for the general public. This applies to both cabin and cargo. There is no exception based on departure city, ticket class, or flight duration.

Delta suspended its Pets in Hold (AVIH) cargo service during the pandemic and has not reinstated it as of the date this article was verified. The only exception is for active-duty US military and State Department Foreign Service officers under specific conditions.

Bottom line for Hawaii moves: Delta is not an option for moving a pet to Hawaii for civilian passengers. If your travel plans involve Delta, your pet will need to travel on a separate carrier.

American Airlines

American Airlines does not accept cabin pets on Hawaii routes. Cargo transport into Hawaii is available through American Airlines Cargo, with significant restrictions.

Cabin travel
No cabin pets to or from Hawaii. This is a hard restriction regardless of flight duration, departure city, or pet size.

Cargo, into Honolulu only
American Airlines Cargo accepts pets traveling into Honolulu (HNL) only. Direct cargo service to Maui (OGG), Kauai (LIH), or the Big Island (KOA) is not available. Pets arriving via American will land in Honolulu and require a separate inter-island connection.

For domestic routes into Hawaii: pets with a combined weight (pet and kennel) under 100 lbs and a kennel no larger than 36"x26"x28" travel as Priority Parcel Service (PPS). Larger pets travel as ExpediteFS. Contact American Airlines Cargo directly for current rates, as this is not handled through the passenger reservation system.

No departures from Honolulu before 8:00 AM for cargo pets.

Seasonal embargo
American Airlines does not accept cargo pets when the current or forecasted temperature exceeds 85°F or falls below 45°F at any point on the itinerary (45°F waivable with a vet acclimation certificate down to 20°F). Specific city embargoes apply May 1 through September 30: Phoenix (PHX), Tucson (TUS), Las Vegas (LAS), and Palm Springs (PSP).

Aircraft restrictions
American Airlines does not accept cargo pets on Airbus 319, 320, 321, 321S, or 321H aircraft. Most Hawaii routes operate on Boeing or widebody aircraft, but verify the aircraft type on your specific flight before booking.

Brachycephalic breeds
American Airlines does not explicitly state a hard prohibition on brachycephalic breeds for Hawaii cargo, but temperature restrictions and the tropical climate advisory make these breeds a risk. Confirm with AA Cargo directly before booking a short-nosed breed.

What This Means for Your Hawaii Move

For most pet owners, Hawaiian Airlines or Alaska Airlines are the practical options. Both offer cabin and cargo transport, both operate the Hawaii routes with the highest frequency, and both have the clearest policies for Hawaii-specific pet transport.

If you are flying from a city not served by Hawaiian or Alaska, connecting through a hub where you transfer to Hawaiian or Alaska for the Hawaii leg is the standard approach. Your pet must be claimed and rechecked at the transfer point, as airlines do not transfer pets between carriers. For guidance on arrival day logistics once you land, see our guide to planning your pet's travel day.

If your pet is too large for cabin travel, plan around the seasonal embargo windows. April 15 through October 15 is the highest-risk window for checked baggage embargoes. For summer moves, build extra time into your plan in case your departure date falls within an embargo period.

The Hawaii FAVN test, health certificate, and AQS-279 requirements apply regardless of which airline you use. The airline gets your pet to Hawaii. The Hawaii Animal Quarantine Station determines whether it is released. See our Hawaii FAVN test guide for the full timing breakdown.

How PetRelocation Can Help

Coordinating an airline booking with Hawaii's documentation requirements, especially for neighbor island arrivals requiring a NIIP, involves more moving parts than a standard domestic move. PetRelocation's relocation coordinators confirm airline participation in NIIP cases, coordinate document submission timing around embargo windows, and ensure your pet's travel date aligns with its AQS eligibility date.

Get a free quote from PetRelocation and a relocation manager will walk you through every step.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which airlines fly pets to Hawaii? Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the primary options. American Airlines accepts cargo pets into Honolulu only with no cabin option. United and Delta do not accept pets on Hawaii routes for civilian passengers.

Can my pet fly in the cabin to Hawaii? Only on Hawaiian Airlines and Alaska Airlines, and only for small dogs and cats that fit in an under-seat carrier within weight limits. United, Delta, and American do not allow cabin pets on Hawaii routes.

What is the seasonal embargo for pets flying to Hawaii? Hawaiian Airlines does not accept checked baggage pets during April 15 to October 15 to or from certain cities with extreme temperatures. Alaska Airlines limits checked baggage pets on Hawaii routes during periods of strong headwinds and applies a holiday embargo November 15 through January 10 on specific flight numbers. Temperature restrictions apply year-round for all carriers accepting cargo pets, with generally no acceptance when temperatures exceed 85°F or fall below 45°F.

Can I fly my pet directly to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island? Hawaiian Airlines operates inter-island routes and participates in neighbor island pet transport for pets with a valid NIIP. Alaska Air Cargo's Pet Connect may also be available on some routes. American Airlines cargo service is into Honolulu only, with no direct neighbor island cargo. Confirm neighbor island participation directly with your carrier before booking.

Can a snub-nosed dog fly to Hawaii? On Hawaiian Airlines, brachycephalic breeds are strongly discouraged for checked baggage due to Hawaii's tropical climate and the respiratory risks involved, but cabin travel remains available if size requirements are met. Confirm restrictions directly with your carrier before booking any snub-nosed breed on a Hawaii route.

Do I need a health certificate to fly my pet to Hawaii? Yes. A health certificate issued within 14 days of arrival is required by Hawaii's Animal Quarantine Station regardless of which airline you use. Some airlines also require a health certificate for checked baggage or cargo transport independent of the AQS requirement. Verify with your carrier. The AQS requirement takes precedence and must be met for your pet to be released at the airport.