For the first time since debuting in Australia in 2004, Hawaiian Airlines has updated its baggage allowance policy for flights Down Under.
Hawai‘i-bound Aussies flying Economy and Extra Comfort will no longer be offered two free checked bags (at 23kgs), but rather one complimentary checked bag (23kgs). Passengers in these cabins will now be required to pay AU$150 if they want to check in a second bag.
The new checked baggage allowance will apply to travellers who were issued tickets on or after 14 March AEST (13 March HST).
The previous baggage policy will apply to guests who bought their tickets before this date.
Benefits and discounts for Premium Cabin guests, Pualani Elite members, corporate partners and others will stay the same. Business Class passengers are allowed two 32kgs checked bags.
The carry-on allowance of one free 11kg bag for all passengers will remain unchanged.
Elsewhere, a $150 excess fee will be charged to those travelling with surfboards (up to 32 kgs), golf clubs, sports gear, musical instruments (all up to 23 kgs) carried as a second item.
In a message to the Australian travel trade, Hawaiian Airlines Managing Director of International and North America Sales Andrew Stanbury said the carrier is updating its baggage policy “to better align with current industry pricing”.
“We remain committed to serving our Australian guests with the same authentic Hawaiian hospitality and Hawaiʻi experience they have known and loved for 20 years,” he stated.
You can view a full list of the updated fee structure here.
Hawaiian Airlines currently operates five weekly, nonstop flights between Sydney and Honolulu.
In February, Hawaiian Airlines added the first Boeing 787-9 aircraft to its fleet with two more of 12 Dreamliners on order due by the end of 2024. The 300-seat plane had an official naming ceremony and blessing in Honolulu on 24 February before commencing daily direct Honolulu-San Francisco flights on 15 April.
Also last month, the carrier became the world’s first major airline to offer SpaceX’s Starlink technology, deploying the high-speed, low-latency inflight internet aboard a Honolulu-Long Beach flight on one of its Airbus A321neo aircraft on 8 February.
In December 2023, Alaska Airlines announced it intends to purchase Hawaiian Airlines in a move that will see the two brands operate as a combined company.
