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Hawaiian Airlines Emotional Support Animal And Psychiatric Service Dog Traveling Policies

Hawaiian Airlines allows psychiatric service dogs (PSDs) to travel in the cabin free of charge with required documentation submitted 48 hours before departure. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are now treated as pets and subject to standard pet policies. All animals must comply with Hawaii’s import regulations and health certification requirements.
Robert Clendenin MD
Medically Reviewed by
Robert Clendenin, MD
If you plan to travel with an emotional support animal (ESA) or service animal on Hawaiian Airlines, it’s essential to understand the airline’s specific policies and procedures. Knowing these guidelines can help you avoid any last-minute issues and ensure a smooth, hassle-free trip.
Hawaiian Airlines esa and psd traveling policies

Key Highlights of Hawaiian Airlines’ Service Animal and ESA Policies

  • Psychiatric Service Dogs (PSDs): Allowed to fly with you free of charge, under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA).
  • Maximum of Two Service Animals: Hawaiian Airlines permits up to two service animals per passenger. Any additional animals will be considered pets and will fall under the Hawaiian Airlines pet policy.
  • DOT Travel Form Requirement: A DOT travel form and a Psychiatric Service Dog (PSD) letter are required for traveling with service animals.
  • Emotional Support Animals: Emotional support animals are allowed to fly but are subject to Hawaiian Airlines dog policy. However, they will not get accommodation available for service animals.
  • Breeds Allowed: Only dogs, cats, and domesticated birds are allowed as pets and are subject to breed restrictions.

Hawaiian Airlines Service Animal Policy

Are Psychiatric Service Dogs Allowed to Fly on Hawaiian Airlines?

Yes, Hawaiian Airlines’ service animal policy allows psychiatric service dogs to fly with passengers free of charge. However, specific requirements must be met to ensure safety and compliance with airline regulations. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) travel form is required for service animals, and passengers must carry a valid PSD letter, proving the need for their service dog.

Hawaiian Airlines Service Animals Fees

Under Hawaiian Airlines’ service animal policy, no additional fees are charged for transporting qualified service animals. However, if your service animal causes any damage to the aircraft, repair and cleaning fees will be your responsibility.
Dog with boarding pass and suitcase at airport terminal

Step-by-Step Checklist for Flying with Service Animals on Hawaiian Airlines

To help ensure a smooth experience, follow these steps:

  1. Complete the DOT Form: Download the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form from the Hawaiian Airlines website.
  2. Submit the Form on Time: Submit this form at least 48 hours before your departure. If booking within 48 hours, bring the completed form to your departure gate.
  3. Prepare for Long Flights: For flights longer than eight hours, submit the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form to confirm your animal’s relief needs.
  4. Carry Your PSD Letter: Bring a current PSD letter that verifies your need for a psychiatric service dog. Airline staff may ask questions regarding the dog’s tasks and its purpose in supporting your condition.

Hawaiian Airlines Sitting Requirements For Service Animals

You are not allowed to sit in:

  • An Exit row
  • A seat where an animal could block the aisle
  • A seat needs to be accessible to allow for an emergency escape.

If you have a pet carrier, you can only sit in a seat with enough space. The Hawaiian Airlines pet carrier requirements for the cabin are 16″ L x 10″ W x 9.5″ H.

Additionally, your service animal must not occupy an empty seat. They must sit on your floor space, the floor space of an adjacent empty seat, or your lap.

Hawaiian Airlines Service Dog Guideline for Health Certificates

You must obtain a health certificate for your service animal if you enter Hawaii. Consider the following health certificate requirements.

  • Flights within Hawaii: Not required.
  • Flights departing Hawaii: Not required
  • Flights to Hawaii: This is required, and the certificate must be dated no more than 14 days before the flight arrives in Hawaii.

If your return flight back to Hawaii is on the same round trip reservation, you may use your original certificate, provided it is dated at most 30 days before arrival in Hawaii.

If your return flight back to Hawaii is on a separate reservation, you must have a certificate dated at most 14 days before arrival in Hawaii.

Hawaiian Airlines Emotional Support Animal Policy

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed To Fly With Hawaiian Airlines?

As support animals are not protected under the ADA, your ESA will be considered a pet when traveling with Hawaiian Airlines. Your ESA will be subject to Hawaiian Airlines dog policy.

Types of Pets Allowed Under Hawaiian Airlines Pet Policy

Hawaiian Airlines accepts dogs, cats, and household birds as pets, subject to specific regulations:

No pets younger than eight weeks old for dogs/cats, and two weeks old for birds.
Pets are not accepted on flights to or from Texas, New York, Massachusetts, American Samoa, or Florida via cargo services.

Hawaiian Airlines Sitting Requirements For Pets

Pets are not permitted in:

  • Bulkhead rows
  • First-class (except inter-island flights)
  • Emergency exit rows

Your pet’s kennel must fit securely under the seat in front of you.

Hawaiian Airlines Health Certificate Requirements For Pets

Health certificate requirements differ based on destination:

  • Flights within Hawaii: Not required
  • Flights from Mainland USA to Hawaii: Certificate dated no more than 14 days before flight arrival
  • Return flights from Hawaii to the Mainland: If on a round-trip ticket, the certificate can be up to 30 days old.

Hawaiian Airlines Kennel Fees for Pet Travel

Pet fees are as follows:

  • Within Hawaii: $35.00
  • Between Hawaii and North America: $125.00 (prices may vary; confirm with Hawaiian Airlines).

Hawaiian Airlines Pet Breed Restrictions

Hawaiian air pet policy restricts some brachycephalic dog breeds (short-nosed) as checked baggage. It is because of the respiratory difficulties these animals may experience while in transit and Hawaii’s tropical climate.

Some of the Snub-nosed dog breeds are.

  • American Bully
  • American Staffordshire Terrier
  • American Pit Bull Terrier
  • Boston Terrier
  • Boxer
  • Brussels Griffon
  • Bulldog
  • Bull Mastiff
  • Bull Terrier
  • Chow Chow
  • Dutch Pug
  • English Bulldog
  • English Toy Spaniel
  • French Bulldog
  • Japanese Spaniel (Chin)
  • Lhasa Apso
  • Pekingese
  • Pit Bull
  • Pug
  • Shar Pei
  • Shih Tzu
  • Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Some of the Snub-nosed cat breeds.

  • Burmese
  • Exotic
  • Himalayan
  • Persian

Pet Kennel Requirements In The Baggage Compartment

  • The kennels must be non-folding, non-collapsible, and non-rolling.
  • The kennels should be leak-proof, hard-sided, and constructed of rigid wood, metal, or hard plastic.
  • The kennels must have a single door located at the front, made of metal grate, and secured with metal bolts or screws.
  • The kennel must be appropriate so the animal can comfortably sit, stand, turn, and lie down. The recommended baggage Hawaiian airlines pet carrier requirements are 36″Long x 25″Wide x 28″Height.
  • The kennels used for flights between the Continental USA and Hawaii must have two dishes (one for food and one for water), accessible from the outside for filling without opening the door.

Conclusion

Preparing to travel with your service or emotional support animal on Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t have to be stressful. By understanding the airline’s requirements you’ll be well-equipped for a smooth journey. Remember, policies may change, so for the most current information, check Hawaiian Airlines’ official site or reach out to their support team before your departure. With the right preparation, you and your companion can enjoy a hassle-free flying experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Emotional Support Animals Allowed to Fly on Hawaiian Airlines?

ESAs are not recognized as service animals under the Air Carrier Access Act. Hawaiian Airlines considers ESAs as pets, so they must adhere to the airline’s pet policies, which may include fees and restrictions.

What Should I Do if My Service Dog Barks During the Flight?

Hawaiian Airlines expects all animals to behave appropriately. Excessive barking, growling, or disruptive behavior may result in your service animal being removed from the aircraft.

How Do I Submit Forms for My Service Animal?

Forms can be submitted via Hawaiian Airlines’ Make a Request page. Select “Service Animals” as the topic, and follow the instructions for uploading documents.

What Is The Hawaiian Air Pet Policy for Baggage Compartment?

For flights arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii, the airline will transport your animal from baggage to the Airport Animal Quarantine Facility, where you will pick it up after inspection. You are responsible for their procedures and fees.

However, you must sign Hawaiian Airlines’ general liability release form to transport your pet in the aircraft’s baggage compartment. After signing the liability release form, the airlines will not be liable for your pet’s loss, illness, injury, or death.

What Are The Hawaiian Airline Pet Limits Per Passenger?

A single kennel may contain only one of the following options:

  • One adult dog or cat or two puppies or kittens of the same breed, provided they are between 8 weeks and six months of age.
  • Up to two adult household birds or two young household birds of the same breed, provided they are at least 14 days old.

Can Hawaiian Airlines Disapprove Your Service Animal Or Pet Request?

As per the Hawaiian airlines pet travel rules, the airlines will remove your animal if it is offensive or disruptive. The decision on whether your animal is offensive or disruptive is based on their sole discretion, which may include:

  • Excessive barking (for dogs only)
  • Emitting strong odors
  • Aggressiveness
  • Growling or hissing
  • Failure to be housebroken

What Forms Do I Need to Complete to Fly with a Service Animal on Hawaiian Airlines?

Travelers must complete the U.S. DOT Service Animal Air Transportation Form at least 48 hours before their flight, or bring the form to the departure gate if booked within 48 hours. For flights over eight hours, the DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation is also required.

Does Hawaiian Airlines Accept ESA Letters for Emotional Support Animals?

Hawaiian Airlines does not recognize ESA letters for emotional support animals. Emotional support animals are treated as pets and must adhere to the pet policy, including applicable fees and kennel requirements.

Can I Travel with Both a Service Animal and a Pet on Hawaiian Airlines?

Yes, passengers can bring both a service animal and a pet. However, the pet must follow Hawaiian Airlines’ pet policies, including size restrictions, kennel requirements, and associated fees.

What Are the Size and Weight Limits for Pets Traveling in the Cabin on Hawaiian Airlines?

Pets traveling in the cabin must fit comfortably in a carrier that meets Hawaiian Airlines’ dimension requirements. The carrier should fit under the seat, with no specific weight limit for cabin pets, as long as they are comfortable and secure in the carrier.

Are There Special Requirements for Service Animals on Long Hawaiian Airlines Flights?

For flights longer than eight hours, Hawaiian Airlines requires passengers with service animals to submit a DOT Service Animal Relief Attestation Form, confirming the animal’s ability to manage the extended flight duration.

Post Author

Patricia Thompson

Darren Jorgensen

Darren M. Jorgensen has a fondness for all animals, though dogs especially, have a huge home in his heart. He enjoys quilting, making handcrafted soap and bodyworks and anything that produces practical products. Jorgensen lives with his own service dog who doubles as an Emotional Support Animal. He gets it.

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