Last Updated on January 1, 2024 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge
This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.
Just how strict is Hawaiian Airlines with carry-on?
It’s a question we hear all the time in our US travel community, and here’s the latest.
From our own experience, Hawaiian Airlines is fairly strict when it comes to carry-on size. In other words, there’s a pretty good chance they will checking bags to ensure they fit in the sizer.
For peace of mind therefore, we recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase available on Amazon which fits perfectly with Hawaiian Airlines and many others.
Hawaiian Airlines have a main carry-on allowance as follows:
22 x 14 x 9 inches
These dimensions include any wheels and or handles.
There is also a weight limit of 25 lbs or 11kg attached to your main carry on bag.
Hawaiian Airlines allow a smaller personal item on board to accompany your main bag.
They simply state that your item must be small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you.
We therefore highly recommend making the most of this space.
Besides, there is a lot more space than you think underneath the seat in front of you, so this is a great opportunity to pack some further essentials for your trip.
Think small – medium backpack or holdall if you’re really looking to make the most of your hard earned cash.
Liquids, gels and aerosols are allowed in your carry on in containers less than 3.4 oz (100ml).
They must be placed in a transparent, quart-sized bag.
For further information please head to this page which covers restricted items in detail.
In addition to your carry on and personal item, you are allowed other items which do not count towards your overall allowance.
Examples include:
For more information about what you can and can not bring, check out the Transport Security Administration website here.
It’s rare for airlines to investigate the weight of your carry-on bag.
With that said, it’s worth weighing your bag just in case – as you might be caught up and so you should try and stick within the 25 lbs / 11kg where possible.
The only time we would say it’s potentially worth the risk is if your bag is soft-sided and only slightly oversized.
After all, as long you can squeeze it into the sizing device and demonstrate it fits then there shouldn’t be a problem.
Conversely, if your bag is a hard case you probably won’t be able to fit it into the sizing device.
This may result in a big fee for having to place your luggage in to the hold last minute.
What’s more, you’ll have to wait around after landing, and we all like to keep an eye on our carry on if possible!
If your bag is deemed overweight or oversized, fees will apply and this depends on your route.
You can find information regarding all of Hawaiian Airlines baggage fees on this page on their website.
If you’re looking for a carry-on bag which is the perfect fit for Hawaiian Airlines and many others, we highly recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase on Amazon.
These suitcases have been designed to be carry-on friendly with US airlines.
What’s more, they boast a slick design and features include 4 spinner wheels for easy transport and internal separators for your clothes, shoes and smaller items.
In conclusion, Hawaiian Airlines are fairly strict when it comes to carry-on.
With that said, there are ways to mitigate the risk of being caught out – as discussed throughout this post.
For peace of mind however, we do recommend investing in a fully compliant bag and sticking within their restrictions.
And if after reading this article you’re considering paying for checked baggage, please visit this page on Hawaiian Airlines website for more details.
Leave a Reply