Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Fees: How They Work

When you want to pack a 12th swimsuit and your third pair of sandals — not to mention leave extra room in your luggage for that bottle of Koloa rum picked up in Kauai — is Hawaiian Airlines going to ding you with baggage fees? Check out this guide on checked gear.

Hawaiian Airlines checked bag fees

You can expect to pay different baggage fees based on where you’re flying on Hawaiian Airlines.

For those flying from a Hawaiian island to a neighbor island (wholly within the state of Hawaii), your first bag will set you back $25, and your second will cost $35.

If one of your destinations is somewhere else in North America, expect to shell out $30 for your first checked bag and $40 for the next.

Hawaiian Airlines also flies direct to destinations in Asia and the South Pacific, like Auckland, New Zealand, Brisbane, Australia, and Fukuoka, Japan. Travelers on these international flights can check up to two bags for free.

All checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines must meet certain size and weight criteria to avoid additional fees for overweight baggage. If your luggage weighs less than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) or its linear dimensions (height, width, length) add up to 62 inches (157 centimeters) or less, you’re golden.

» Learn more: A quick guide to airlines with free baggage

Fees for checked surf, kite, paddle and wake boards

Australia- or New Zealand-bound travelers from the U.S. can check their surf, kite, paddle and wake boards on the flight.

Here’s how the cost breaks down depending on where you're headed:

• Neighboring island: $35 each way.

• North America: $100 each way.

• International: $150 each way.

• Australia and New Zealand: No fee as long as your board is one of your two complimentary checked bags and you don't have any connections over 24 hours.

Keep in mind that boards will need to be packed in a padded board bag and cannot exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) or 115 inches (292 centimeters) in length.

» Learn More: Surf’s up, wheels up: Your guide to airlines’ surfboard fees

How to avoid checked bag fees on Hawaiian Airlines

Get a credit card that includes free checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines

Primary Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® cardholders will enjoy two free checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines-operated flights between Hawaii and the mainland or between islands in Hawaii. Flights must be booked directly to take advantage of this benefit.

» Learn more: 6 reasons you should get the Hawaiian Airlines Mastercard

Fly in a premium cabin

Beyond Hawaiian Airlines’ signature Mai Tai cocktail, first class passengers are exempt from paying checked bag fees for their first two checked bags. Any additional checked bags beyond that will be charged at the next sequential bag fee. Applicable overweight baggage fees apply.

Become a HawaiianMiles member

HawaiianMiles, Hawaiian Airlines’ free frequent flyer program, offers reduced baggage fees to members flying within the state of Hawaii. Members pay $10 less for their first checked bag and $15 less for their second checked bag when flying to neighboring islands.

Earn elite status (Pualani)

Elite Pualani members are rewarded with additional benefits for their frequent flying. Regardless of the destination of your Hawaiian Airlines operated flight, Pualani Club and Pualani Gold members each receive up to two checked bags for free. Members of the highest tier, Pualani Platinum, receive the first three bags complimentary.

Applicable overweight and excess baggage fees apply.

Let them know you're a military member

Travel on military orders

Hawaiian Airlines flight passengers who double as active duty U.S. military passengers and military personnel who are retired or retiring, who have proof of official government travel orders or who are qualified dependents while the military personnel is traveling on military orders can check up to four complimentary bags per person. What’s more, these bags can weigh up to 70 lbs and max out at 80 linear inches (20 pounds and 18 inches more than the typical allowance).

Note that if you're traveling on military orders as an active, retired or dependent, you'll need to show a valid military ID at check-in.

Personal travel

Active duty U.S. military personnel with a valid active duty military ID are given two free checked bags on Hawaiian Airlines flights. These bags adhere to Hawaiian Airlines’ normal baggage expectations — each can weigh up to 50 pounds and should not exceed 62 linear inches.

Dependents of active U.S. military personnel doing personal travel are not eligible for this perk.

Don’t forget your pineapples and papayas

If you’re obsessed with fresh tropical fruit, you’ll love this Hawaiian Airlines baggage allowance: Airline passengers can often check a prepackaged box of up to 10 pounds of pineapples or papayas on the plane — free of charge.

Want to bring your gorgeous lei home, too? Make sure it’s USDA approved.

Fees across U.S. airlines

If you fly Hawaiian Airlines with luggage

Hawaiian Airline flyers will be subject to various baggage fees depending on their flight origin and destination. You can lessen the sting of baggage fees (but not that sunburn) by joining HawaiianMiles, flying first class or opening a Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® and booking travel with it.

Aloha and happy travels!