Hawaiian Airlines in-cabin pet policy — and the carriers that fit
Hawaiian Airlines allows small pets in the cabin in a carrier up to 17 × 11 × 9.5 in, soft-sided, stowed under the seat in front of you.
- In-cabin fee: $35 within Hawaii
- 2 of the 15 carriers we track clear that published limit
- Already own a carrier? Check its measurements against this limit
The Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) leaves the most room — 1" on its tightest dimension, while the Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) only just squeaks in with nothing to spare. The Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) has no new copies on Amazon right now.
How Hawaiian's 9.5" height limit compares with the other 57 airlines that publish one:
- Same limit (2): Alaska, Alaska Horizon (Horizon Air)
- Higher limit (21): up to 13" on Avelo, Breeze and Saudia; next step up is 9.8" on Aegean, Iberia and LATAM
- Lower limit (34): down to 7" on EL AL Israel; next step down is 9.4" on Air France, GOL Linhas Aéreas, KLM Royal Dutch and Transavia
Will your carrier fit Hawaiian Airlines?
Measure the outside of your carrier (bulges included) and enter it below. The check uses Hawaiian Airlines’s published 17 × 11 × 9.5 in limit — height is checked strictly, the footprint may rotate.
Hawaiian Airlines pet rules
| Max carrier size (published) | 17 × 11 × 9.5 in |
| Soft-sided required? | Yes |
| In-cabin fee | $35 within Hawaii; $125 between Hawaii and North America · compare all airlines → |
| Species allowed | domestic dogs, cats |
| Pets | 1 pet carrier per ticketed guest (may hold 2 puppies/kittens of the same breed, 8 weeks to 6 months old) |
| Booking | Call Hawaiian Reservations (1-800-367-5320) at least 48 hours ahead. No cabin pets on international routes or flights to/from PPG, JFK, BOS, AUS and SLC; health certificate required between Hawaii and North America; State of Hawaii animal-entry rules apply on arrival. · what to book, buy and pack → |
Source: official Hawaiian Airlines pet policy · verified 2026-09-24 · how Hawaiian Airlines ranks on fee and space →
Carriers that fit Hawaiian Airlines
Matched to Hawaiian Airlines's published 17 × 11 × 9.5 in limit (height checked strictly; footprint may rotate). See the full Hawaiian Airlines carrier shortlist →
Affiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes our specs or which carriers we list.
This table ranks by Hawaiian Airlines’s size limit — not by your pet. The weight under each carrier is what that size is rated to hold. A bag can clear the airline and still be the wrong size for the animal, which is the most common reason one goes back — measure your pet first →
| Carrier | Size | Fit | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small) up to ~8 lb · max pet 13″ long × 7.5″ tall | 15 × 10 × 8.5 in | Fits 1" spare | No new copies on Amazon right now |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) up to ~15 lb | 17 × 11 × 9 in | Exact fit 0" spare | See on Amazon → |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Medium) up to ~16 lb · max pet 16″ long × 9.5″ tall | 17 × 11 × 10.5 in | Flexes — 1" over | See on Amazon → |
12 carriers too big for Hawaiian Airlines
Petmate Soft-Sided Kennel Cab (Medium) up to ~10 lb | 17 × 10 × 10 in | Too tall (10" > 9.5") | |
Sleepypod Atom up to ~12 lb | 17 × 8.5 × 10.5 in | Too tall (10.5" > 9.5") | |
Petsfit (Medium) Expandable Soft-Sided up to ~13 lb | 17 × 11 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 9.5") | |
Bergan Comfort Carrier (Small) pet size not published | 16 × 8 × 11 in | Too tall (11" > 9.5") | |
Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Standard (Expandable) up to ~20 lb | 18 × 11 × 10 in | Too big | No new copies on Amazon right nowIn stock and fits the same airlines: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) on Amazon → |
Sleepypod Air up to ~18 lb | 22 × 10.5 × 10.5 in | Too big | |
Diggs Passenger pet size not published · Diggs discontinued this carrier — link goes to similar carriers | 17 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too big | |
ibiyaya JetPaw Expandable Backpack up to ~17 lb | 18 × 12 × 10.5 in | Too big | |
Away The Pet Carrier pets up to ~18 lb | 18.7 × 10.8 × 10.75 in | Too big | |
Frisco Premium Airline-Compliant Carrier up to ~22 lb | 18 × 11 × 11 in | Too big | |
Sherpa Original Deluxe (Large) up to ~22 lb · max pet 18″ long × 10.5″ tall | 19 × 11.75 × 11.5 in | Too big | |
SturdiBag Pro (Large, Flexible Height) pet size not published | 18 × 11.5 × 11.5 in | Too big | No new copies on Amazon right nowIn stock and fits the same airlines: Mr. Peanut's Gold Series Mini (Low-Profile) on Amazon → |
How to confirm your actual under-seat space
Hawaiian Airlines's number is its published maximum, not a guarantee for your exact seat. Before you buy or fly:
- Check which aircraft operates your flight (in your booking or on a seat-map site).
- Avoid bulkhead and exit rows — bulkheads have no under-seat storage and most airlines ban pets there — and check this airline's seat rules above.
- Call Hawaiian Airlines to confirm under-seat dimensions for that aircraft, or
- Choose a collapsible / flexible-height carrier that adapts to a tighter space.
More airlines: Air Canada · Alaska Airlines · Allegiant Air · American Airlines · Breeze Airways · Delta Air Lines · Frontier Airlines · Southwest Airlines · United Airlines · Korean Air · LATAM Airlines · LOT Polish Airlines · all →
Common questions
What size pet carrier does Hawaiian Airlines allow in the cabin?
Hawaiian Airlines's recommended maximum in-cabin carrier is 17 × 11 × 9.5 in. It must fit fully under the seat in front of you. Source: the Hawaiian Airlines pet policy. See every carrier checked against this limit.
How much does Hawaiian Airlines charge for an in-cabin pet?
$35 within Hawaii; $125 between Hawaii and North America. Always confirm the current fee on the official Hawaiian Airlines pet page before you fly. Compare cabin pet fees across airlines.
Which pet carriers fit Hawaiian Airlines?
2 of the 15 carriers we track clear Hawaiian Airlines's published 17 × 11 × 9.5 in. The roomiest is the Sherpa Original Deluxe (Small), with 1" to spare on its tightest dimension. The heaviest pet any carrier that clears Hawaiian Airlines is rated for is 15 lb. Full shortlist: /fits/hawaiian/.
Does Hawaiian Airlines require a soft-sided pet carrier?
Yes — Hawaiian Airlines requires a soft-sided carrier in the cabin. Height is what rules carriers out: Hawaiian Airlines publishes 9.5", against 13" at the most generous airline we track. See how to check the space on your aircraft.
How many pets can I bring in the cabin on Hawaiian Airlines?
1 pet carrier per ticketed guest (may hold 2 puppies/kittens of the same breed, 8 weeks to 6 months old). Species accepted: domestic dogs, cats. Call Hawaiian Reservations (1-800-367-5320) at least 48 hours ahead. No cabin pets on international routes or flights to/from PPG, JFK, BOS, AUS and SLC; health certificate required between Hawaii and North America; State of Hawaii animal-entry rules apply on arrival. See every airline's cabin pet rules.