What Hawaiian Airlines Is and Who Flies It

Hawaiian Airlines is a carrier based in Honolulu that operates flights throughout Hawaii and to the U.S. mainland, Japan, South Korea, and other Pacific destinations. The airline is Hawaii's largest carrier by passenger volume and operates a fleet of Boeing 717s and Airbus A321s. If you are flying to or from Hawaii, or connecting through Honolulu, you will likely see Hawaiian Airlines as an option.

The airline is a full-service carrier, meaning it includes a checked bag and a carry-on bag with most ticket types, offers assigned seating, and provides meals or snacks on longer flights. It is not a budget carrier like Southwest or Spirit, but it is also not a premium international airline like United or American. Hawaiian Airlines occupies a middle position: you pay more than a discount carrier but less than a legacy airline's premium cabin.

Key Takeaways

  • Hawaiian Airlines includes one checked bag and one carry-on bag with most fares, so you do not pay extra baggage fees on standard bookings.
  • You can book directly on hawaiianairlines.com, through a travel agent, or on third-party booking sites like Google Flights or Kayak.
  • The airline's frequent flyer program is called HawaiianMiles, and you earn miles on every flight that you can redeem for future tickets or upgrades.
  • Seat selection, changes to your flight, and check-in all happen on hawaiianairlines.com or through the Hawaiian Airlines mobile app.
  • Hawaiian Airlines charges extra for premium seating (extra legroom rows), seat changes after booking, and items beyond your included baggage allowance.

How to Book a Flight on Hawaiian Airlines

You can book a Hawaiian Airlines flight three ways: directly on the airline's website at hawaiianairlines.com, through a travel agent, or on a third-party booking site such as Google Flights, Kayak, or Expedia. Each route has trade-offs. Booking directly on hawaiianairlines.com gives you the most control and lets you see all available seat options and add-ons at the time of purchase. Third-party sites often show lower prices because they bundle flights from multiple airlines, but you may miss Hawaiian Airlines-specific deals or promotions.

When you book, you will choose your departure and return dates, number of passengers, and cabin class (Economy or Business Class on longer routes). The website will show you available flights sorted by price, departure time, or duration. Once you select a flight, you enter passenger names, contact information, and payment details. Hawaiian Airlines accepts all major credit cards and debit cards. You will receive a confirmation email with your booking reference number and receipt.

If you are a HawaiianMiles member, log in before you book so the airline credits your miles to your account. If you are not a member, you can join for free during booking or afterward by entering your frequent flyer number on your confirmation page.

What Baggage and Seat Selection Cost

Most Hawaiian Airlines fares include one checked bag and one personal item plus one carry-on bag at no extra charge. This is different from budget carriers, which often charge for checked bags. However, a second checked bag costs money—the price varies depending on your route and fare type, so check your booking confirmation or call the airline to confirm the fee for your specific flight.

Seat selection is free for standard economy seats, but premium seats cost extra. Premium Economy seats have extra legroom and are located in the front of the cabin. Business Class seats, available on longer routes to the mainland and Asia, include lie-flat beds, priority boarding, and meals. If you do not select a seat when you book, the airline assigns one automatically at check-in, usually at no charge.

If you want to change your seat after booking, you can do so free of charge on hawaiianairlines.com or the mobile app up until 24 hours before departure. After that window, seat changes may incur a fee depending on the seat type you are switching to.

How HawaiianMiles Frequent Flyer Program Works

HawaiianMiles is Hawaiian Airlines' frequent flyer program. You earn one mile for every dollar you spend on a Hawaiian Airlines ticket, plus bonus miles if you book certain fare types or during promotional periods. You also earn miles when you fly, based on the distance traveled and your cabin class. Business Class flights earn more miles per dollar than Economy.

You can redeem your miles for a free or discounted flight on Hawaiian Airlines, an upgrade to a higher cabin class, or other rewards such as hotel stays or car rentals through Hawaiian Airlines' partner network. The number of miles required for a free flight depends on the route and how far in advance you book. A short flight within Hawaii might cost 5,000 miles, while a flight to the mainland could cost 25,000 miles or more.

HawaiianMiles membership is free, and you can join on hawaiianairlines.com. Once you have an account, you earn miles automatically on every flight and purchase you make with a HawaiianMiles credit card partner. You can check your balance and redeem miles anytime on the HawaiianMiles website or app.

Check-In, Boarding, and What to Bring

You can check in for your Hawaiian Airlines flight online starting 24 hours before departure on hawaiianairlines.com or the mobile app. Online check-in takes about two minutes and gives you a mobile boarding pass that you can show on your phone at the airport. You can also check in at an airport kiosk or ticket counter, though this usually takes longer.

Boarding begins about 45 minutes before departure. Hawaiian Airlines boards in groups: Business Class and elite frequent flyers board first, followed by passengers with extra legroom seats, then the rest of Economy. When your group is called, scan your boarding pass at the gate and walk onto the plane.

Bring a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) and your boarding pass. For flights to the mainland or international destinations, you will need a passport or other travel document that meets federal requirements. Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight and three hours before an international flight. Hawaiian Airlines does not allow you to board if you arrive after the gate closes, which is usually 10 minutes before departure.

Making Changes or Canceling Your Flight

If you need to change your flight date or time, you can do so on hawaiianairlines.com, the mobile app, or by calling Hawaiian Airlines' customer service. The cost of a change depends on your fare type. Some fares allow free changes, while others charge a change fee plus the difference in ticket price if your new flight costs more. Basic Economy fares typically do not allow free changes.

If you cancel your flight entirely, you will receive a travel credit for the ticket price that you can use toward a future Hawaiian Airlines flight. The credit does not expire, but it is tied to your name and booking reference, so you cannot transfer it to another person. Some fares allow cancellations with a refund to your original payment method instead of a credit, so check your confirmation email to see what your fare allows.

To make a change or cancel, have your booking reference number and last name ready. You can find your booking reference in your confirmation email or by logging into hawaiianairlines.com with your email address.

Contacting Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service

You can reach Hawaiian Airlines customer service by phone, email, or through the mobile app. The phone number for reservations and customer service is on hawaiianairlines.com. Wait times vary depending on the time of day and season; peak travel periods (summer and holidays) have longer hold times than off-season. The airline also offers a chat feature on its website during business hours.

For questions about a specific booking, have your confirmation number ready. For general questions about baggage, seating, or frequent flyer miles, you can also find answers in the FAQ section of hawaiianairlines.com or in the mobile app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay extra for a carry-on bag?

No. Hawaiian Airlines includes one personal item (purse, backpack, or laptop bag) and one carry-on bag (roller bag or overhead bin-sized bag) with all fares. A checked bag is also included on most fares. Only a second checked bag costs extra.

Can I change my flight for free?

It depends on your fare type. Some fares allow free changes, while others charge a change fee plus any difference in ticket price. Check your confirmation email to see what your specific fare allows, or log into hawaiianairlines.com and look at your booking details.

What if I miss my flight?

If you miss your flight, contact Hawaiian Airlines as soon as possible. Depending on your fare type and how much time remains before your flight, the airline may rebook you on the next available flight at no charge or for a fee. You cannot board a flight after the gate closes, which is usually 10 minutes before departure.

How do I use my HawaiianMiles to book a flight?

Log into your HawaiianMiles account on hawaiianairlines.com, search for your desired flight, and select the option to pay with miles instead of money. The website will show you how many miles the flight costs. Complete the booking as you would with a credit card, and the miles will be deducted from your account.

What is the baggage weight limit?

Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds and measure up to 62 inches (length plus width plus height). Carry-on bags must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. If your bag exceeds the weight or size limit, Hawaiian Airlines will charge an oversize or overweight baggage fee at the airport.