Hawaiian Airlines
Psychiatric Service
Dog Policy

Hawaiian Airlines PSD Requirements

DOT Service Animal Form Requirements

The U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form is mandatory. You must attest to your dog’s task training, confirm appropriate behavior, and verify your dog won’t threaten passengers. For flights over eight hours, attest your dog can refrain from relieving itself or do so sanitarily. Download from transportation.gov and submit at least 48 hours before departure. Carry a printed copy as backup.

Health Certificate Requirements

• Traveling to Hawaii from North America: Health certificate REQUIRED, dated within 14 days of arrival. Printed copy given to Hawaiian Airlines at check-in. For return flights (same reservation), original certificate valid if within 30 days.
• Within Hawaii only: Health certificate NOT required.
• International: CDC requirements effective August 1, 2024 for dogs entering the U.S. from foreign countries.

Hawaii Quarantine Requirements

Hawaii has strict animal entry requirements to maintain rabies-free status.

Honolulu (HNL):

• On-site Animal Quarantine Facility operates 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM HST
• Arrivals before 8:30 AM: Wait in terminal with agent until facility opens
• Arrivals after 4:30 PM: Dog may need to stay overnight at facility

Neighbor Islands (Lihue, Kahului, Kona):

• Neighbor Island Inspection Permit (NIIP) REQUIRED from Hawaii Department of Agriculture
• Authorized Inspector conducts screening in terminal
• You must identify yourself to arrival agent during deplaning
• Cannot leave gate without airline escort
• If flight changes, YOU must contact Inspector to reschedule

Contact Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine Branch at (808) 483-7151. Without proper documentation, service animals may be quarantined for up to 120 days at owner’s expense.

Breed Restrictions

• For Service Dogs: Hawaiian Airlines does not impose breed-specific restrictions on service animals. All breeds, including brachycephalic breeds, can travel as service dogs in the cabin.
• For Pets: Due to respiratory difficulties animals may experience in transit and Hawaii’s tropical climate, Hawaiian Airlines highly discourages and does not recommend brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds from traveling as checked baggage.

Restricted Breeds for Checked Baggage:

• Dogs: American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldogs (all types), Bull Mastiff, Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Dutch Pug, English Bulldog, Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel Chin, Lhasa Apso, Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and any mixed breeds
• Cats: Burmese, Himalayan, Persian, and similar short-nosed breeds

Important: Brachycephalic pets CAN travel in the cabin if they fit in the approved carrier (17″ L x 11″ W x 9.5″ H). The restriction applies primarily to checked baggage/cargo due to temperature and pressure concerns in the cargo hold.

Behavior Standards During Flight

Your service dog must remain harnessed and on the floor in your foot space. Dogs must behave appropriately without excessive barking, biting, jumping, or aggression. Dogs cannot occupy seats, tray tables, or block aisles or emergency exits. Hawaiian Airlines may refuse transport for disruptive dogs.

Seating Rules for Psychiatric Service Dog Handlers

Service dogs cannot occupy exit row seats. If your dog is too large for the floor space, Hawaiian Airlines will attempt to relocate you to adjacent seats if available without obstructing emergency routes.

No Fees for Psychiatric Service Dogs

Psychiatric service dogs travel completely free. Hawaiian Airlines cannot charge for cabin access or documentation processing. You only pay for your passenger ticket.

Emotional Support Animals: Traveling as Pets on Hawaiian Airlines Flights

Since 2021, emotional support animals must travel as regular pets with all applicable fees and restrictions on all airlines in the U.S. including the Hawaiian Airlines.

ESA Pet Fees

In-cabin pets cost $60 USD for interisland flights within Hawaii and $225 USD for flights between Hawaii and North America.

Pet Carrier Size Requirements

Only domestic dogs and cats permitted. Maximum dimensions: 17″ L x 11″ W x 9.5″ H. Must be soft-sided with ventilation on all 4 sides, leakproof bottom, and fit under the seat in front of you. Dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old.

Pet Travel Requirements

Pet must remain in carrier throughout entire flight. Carrier stowed under seat at all times. Cannot be on lap, seat, or overhead bin. One carrier per guest containing 1 adult cat/dog OR 2 puppies/kittens (same breed, 8 weeks-6 months). Carrier counts toward carry-on allowance.

Pets cannot occupy First Class seats on flights between North America and Hawaii, bulkhead seats, exit rows, or seats without adequate under-seat stowage.

Hawaiian Airlines’ Travel Requirements

Domestic

• Hawaii Arrivals: Contact Hawaii’s Animal Quarantine Branch at (808) 483-7151 at least 7-10 days before departure. For Neighbor Islands, apply for NIIP well in advance.
• Restricted Routes for Pets Only (Service Dogs Still Permitted): Pets NOT permitted in cabin to/from JFK, BOS, AUS, SLC, or PPG. Service dogs are permitted on these routes with proper documentation.

International

Service Dogs:

Permitted on international routes with proper documentation. However, international travel requires careful advance planning.

International Service Dog Requirements:

• Standard DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form
• DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form for flights 8+ hours
• Health certificates and vaccinations as required by destination country
• Import permits if required by destination country (processing can take months)
• Country-specific documentation – check with embassy or consulate well in advance

New CDC Requirements for Dogs Entering U.S. (Effective August 1, 2024):

• Dog must be at least 6 months old
• Valid rabies vaccination
• Microchip
• CDC Dog Import Form
• Additional requirements for dogs from high-risk rabies countries

Important: Not all countries accept service animals, and some may define them differently than U.S. regulations. Your service dog may be prohibited or restricted from entry into certain countries. You are responsible for all destination country documentation. Visit cdc.gov/importation/dogs for complete requirements.

Pets:

Cannot travel in cabin on any international flights. Contact Hawaiian Airlines Cargo at 1-877-HA-CARGO (422-2746).

US Inbound

Dogs entering U.S. must meet CDC requirements: microchip, health verification, 6+ months age, CDC Dog Import Form. High-risk countries require additional documentation. Visit cdc.gov/importation/dogs for complete requirements.