If you’re about to fly Hawaiian Airlines for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Especially if you’re going to Hawaii for any reason! If you’re curious about what Hawaiian Airlines’ policies are regarding luggage, read on for information about  passenger luggage size restrictions for carry-on and personal items. For your questions in this regard, I will cover as many of them as I can in this article here, and offer you links to additional relevant information.

How Strict Is Hawaiian Airlines With Carry-On & Personal Item Size?

Let me fill you in on Hawaiian Airlines’ current rules and regulations and then answer questions I have gotten about them.

If you want to skip the article and grab a bag that will work on Hawaiian Airlines, check out these two!

This great carry-on bag is for travelers that want to get the best value out of their luggage investment.

This Travel Pro bag could be the last carry-on bag you ever purchase! 

Let’s get started! 

How Strict is Hawaiian Airlines With Its Carry-on Luggage Policy?

So, just how strict is Hawaiian Airlines with carry-on item restrictions?

Hawaiian Airlines is considered to be quite strict when it comes to carry-on item sizes. If you’re flying Hawaiian Airlines, there’s a good chance reps will be double-checking your carry-on baggage with the sizer to make sure it will fit.

Hawaiian Airlines, like other carriers, implements its policies, taking into account Travel Safety Administration (TSA) requirements. If your luggage is deemed to be “oversize,” you could very well have to pay additional check-in fees at your boarding gate. 

Carry-on luggage items have size restrictions, but not weight restrictions, and are typically stowed in the luggage bins overhead of passenger seats. Personal items typically are stowed underneath the seat of each passenger, though they may need to go in the overhead bin, as well. 

Hawaiian Airlines’ Carry-on Baggage Policy

Including handles and wheels, your carry-on luggage on Hawaiian Airlines flights are not to exceed 

22” l x 14” w x 9” h (56 x 36 x 23 cm), 45 linear inches/114 linear cm)
Carry-on items any larger than these dimensions will need to be checked, even if at the gate during boarding.

*Note that carriers rarely take note of the weight of carry-on items, but Hawaiian Airlines limits carry-ons to 25 lbs (11 kg) or less. 

Take some preemptive cautionary steps beforehand and invest in some Hawaiian-compliant carry-on luggage, so that you can travel calmly.

How Can I Measure My Carry-on Bag to Make Sure It Fits on a Hawaiian Airlines Flight?

To help you verify your baggage conforms with Hawaiian Airlines carry-on size restrictions, the carrier recommends taking note of bag sizers at airport locations that feature its required 22″ x 14″ x 9″ dimensions.

It’s also a good idea to measure your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport to ensure that your entire bag, along with the wheels and handles, measures 22″ x 14″ x 9″ or less.

It’s important to remember that the three dimensional measurements together – length + width + height – cannot add up to more than 45 linear inches/114 linear cm. If you happen to be traveling with a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your carry-on again after it’s packed to ensure it still complies. 

My Hawaiian-compliant Luggage Recommendations

Need a recommendation for carry-on luggage I would recommend for flying with Hawaiian Airlines? I personally recommend the following Hawaiian-compliant carry-on luggage bags because of the carrier’s strictness with its luggage policies. 

This is a great carry-on bag if you want to get great value from your travel baggage investment.

This Travel Pro bag is one you’ll fall in love with, and it could very well be the last carry-on bag you’ll ever purchase! 

Hawaiian Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Allowance

Hawaiian Airlines passengers are all allowed to each bring one carry-on item and one personal item on board its flights.

If your carry-on bag has been deemed to be in excess of baggage dimension requirements (it should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin or underneath the seat in front of you), there’s a good chance you’ll have to check it for a fee Between airports within the State of Hawaii, additional oversize baggage fees are $35.00 each. For domestic flights outside of Hawaii, additional oversize baggage fees are $100.00 for each oversized piece. 

Bringing Carry-on Liquid Items Onto Hawaiian Airlines Flights

You are allowed to bring liquid items onboard Hawaiian Airlines flights in accordance with TSA regulations, as long as they make it through TSA security checkpoints. 

Liquid items in question include your toiletries and all other liquids and creams you may want to pack along. The TSA allows containers/bottles with no more than 3.4 fl. oz. / 100 fl. ml.

These liquid toiletries/items must also be packed neatly into a re-sealable clear Ziploc-style plastic baggie, like these gallon size baggies. Your baggie can’t be any larger than 7.8 x 7.8 inches (20 x 20 centimeters).

You’ll find plenty more information here on our TravelontheFly site about what items you are and aren’t allowed to bring on a plane with you.

You may also want to verify these requirements with the TSA’s website

How Strict Is Hawaiian Airlines With Your Carry-on Size?

Hawaiian Airlines is known to be strict about baggage size/weight restrictions, but you shouldn’t have to worry about anything, as long as your item(s) fit in the overhead bin above you or underneath the seat in front of you.

To make your flight as worry-free as possible I’d suggest complying with the carrier’s policies. If you need a new carry-on bag that will fit Hawaiian Airlines’ (and other carriers’) guidelines, get this bag and don’t have to worry about it ever again.

How Strict Is Hawaiian Airlines With Your Carry-on Baggage Weight?

Most airlines are not concerned with carry-on/personal item weight, but Hawaiian Airlines is one of the few who are. Hawaiian Airlines limits carry-on baggage weight to 25 lbs. (11 kg). But be concerned with spaces in the cabin where carry-on items should be able to be stowed comfortably. Meeting the size dimensions of your carry-on bags and weight limitations I mentioned above should cover all your bases.

Should I Risk Flying on Hawaiian Airlines With an Oversized Carry-on?

Should you risk trying to fly with an overweight bag on Hawaiian airlines? Veteran travelers will likely ask you, “Why risk it?” And I would have to agree with them. But know that if your bag is only slightly larger than Hawaiian Airlines’ specified size and weight dimensions, you’ll likely be OK. Worst-case scenario if your carry-on is too large, is that you will have to check your bag at the gate, but then you can be charged $35-$50 for checking an oversized bag or overweight bag.

PRO TIP – You have a better chance of getting away with a slightly larger luggage if your carry-on is soft-sided. That‘s why I have highlighted and pointed you toward soft-sided bags like this one here. They are a little easier to squeeze into tight spots, including into the overhead bins on a plane!

Hawaiian Airlines Checked Baggage Fees

The first checked bag fee for Hawaiian Airlines flights is $25, and $35 for the 2nd bag for flights within Hawaii. Domestic flight checked bag charges outside of Hawaii are $30 for the first and $40 for the second.

I travel with a bag that is slightly larger than many airline regulations and I have never been asked to check it. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be asked to.

Your best bet is to travel with baggage that is within Hawaiian Airlines’ size and weight regulations, and then you will never have to worry about it!

Where Can I Find a Quality Travel Bag That’s Within Hawaiian Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Limits?

Right here! I recommend this great carry-on bag that is a great value for the money.

And this Travel Pro bag is more than enough for even the pickiest travelers. 

These will work for Hawaiian Airline Carry-on luggage limits.

How Strict Is Hawaiian Airlines With Its “One Personal Item” Policy?

Hawaiian Airlines is considered to be one of the stricter airlines in operation today in regard to baggage sizes and weights. One small personal item is allowed per passenger (e.g., purse, handbag, briefcase, laptop bag, backpack, and medically necessary items). As long as your personal item can easily be carried and stored underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin, Hawaiian Airlines representatives likely won’t ask to verify its size.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Personal Item Policy

Your personal item ( e.g., purse, shoulder bag, backpack, diaper bag, etc.) must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin above. Read more about personal items on Hawaiian Airlines flights here

Carrying Additional Items Onto Hawaiian Airlines Flights

In addition to your carry-on bag and personal item onboard Hawaiian Airlines flights, you are also allowed to bring small items, such as a jacket/sweatshirt, blanket, umbrella, book, duty-free items, a reasonably sized stuffed animal, food/drink purchased past the security checkpoint, crutches, strollers, camera, etc.

These won’t count as personal items, unless they’re larger things that take up space overhead or underneath a seat, like purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, briefcases, large camera cases, etc.

Is the First Checked Bag Free on Hawaiian Airlines Flights?

Hawaiian Airlines charges $25 USD for the first checked bag (within Hawaii), and $35 for the 2nd bag, also within Hawaii. Domestic flight checked bag charges outside of Hawaii are $30 for the first bag and $40 for the 2nd. Overweight (>50 lbs/23 kg) and oversize bags are assessed an additional fee of $35 – $50.

Read more about Hawaiian Airlines’ checked bag policy here.

So, How Strict is Hawaiian Airlines About Carry-on and Personal Items?

Hawaiian Airlines passengers are each allowed to take one carry-on bag and one personal item on board its flights, in accordance with TSA regulations. Both of these items should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin, or one of them should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Invest in carry-on baggage that complies with Hawaiian Airlines’ regulations, like this one.

In case you choose to take this risk with Hawaiian Airlines by bringing a larger bag, be sure to at least use a soft-sided bag so you’ll be able to better navigate it into a tight space. If your carry-on or personal item is deemed to be “oversized,” you could be charged a bag check-in fee at your boarding gate ($35 – $100 for each oversized bag, and $35 – $50 for each overweight bag).

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