Hawaiian Airlines rating

Hawaiian Airlines rating: 7.5/10 (S tier)

Good value for Hawaii, with strong protections and a restrictive Saver fare

Axel considers Hawaiian Airlines, now operating under Alaska's certificate, a strong choice for travelers who want an included carry-on and solid protection when the airline disrupts a trip. Main Cabin avoids ordinary change fees, but capturing a later fare drop requires cancellation and rebooking rather than a direct adjustment. Saver is less forgiving, and checked bags can materially increase the total.

Axel score: 7.5/10, S tier, #3 of 77 airlines. Repriceability: 5.9/10 (#10). Checked October 26, 2026. Source: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/hawaiian-airlines

Status: As of October 26, 2026, Hawaiian continues flying as a brand owned by Alaska Air Group. It operates under Alaska's certificate, issued for the combined operation on October 29, 2025; the shared booking system uses AS flight numbers and identifies Hawaiian-branded flights as operated by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines.

Best and worst

• Best: One carry-on and one personal item are included on Saver.
• Best: Main Cabin has no ordinary change fee.
• Best: DOT records 14 of 16 commitments for airline-caused disruptions.
• Worst: Saver prohibits ordinary advance changes.
• Worst: The first checked bag costs $45 on ordinary mainland-Hawaii travel.
• Worst: Capturing a lower fare on the same flight requires cancellation and rebooking.

If the fare drops after you book, can you get money back? Partly

Partly. October 2026 reporting says eligible Main Cabin and First Class tickets must be canceled and rebooked to capture a lower fare on the same flight. Neither charges an ordinary change or cancellation fee before departure. The unused balance becomes credit, not cash, for nonrefundable tickets. Refundable tickets can return payment to the original method. Canceling releases seats and upgrades, and the lower fare may disappear. Saver allows only 50% credit when canceled at least 14 days before departure. Published Alaska guidance reported by The Points Guy gives credit validity as the later of 12 months from original ticket issuance or 30 days after exchange or cancellation. Redeem before expiry, though travel may follow. Transferability and use for another traveler are not confirmed. All fares permit original-payment refunds within 24 hours of purchase if bought at least 24 hours before departure.

Axel recorded 0 successes from 1 attempt with a lower fare still available, from September 10 to October 26, 2026. This sample is too small to generalize. Repricing is Axel's price-drop protection: after you book, Axel watches the fare and works to deliver further savings when it drops. It is included with Axel Membership.

Hawaiian Airlines fares

Key facts

• Fare difference on a cheaper change: As a credit. For a genuine change to a less expensive flight, published reporting on Alaska's rules says the unused value becomes a credit certificate, not cash. This is distinct from repricing the unchanged flight: October 2026 reporting says that now requires cancellation and rebooking. The current joint contract and refund pages did not expose their substantive text, so the lower-fare exchange provision could not be independently reread in the current contract.
• Same flight, lower price: The current joint Lowest Fare Customer Commitment is reported as excluding post-purchase price adjustments. October 9, 2026 reporting describes cancellation and rebooking, with approximately October 7 given as the operational change date. An eligible nonrefundable Main or First ticket can be canceled for credit and replaced at the lower price, leaving the unused balance as credit; a refundable ticket can instead be refunded. This releases the original reservation, seats and upgrades, and the lower fare is not guaranteed to remain available. Saver's 50% cancellation restriction still applies. No published source confirmed Axel's September 2026 report of a Hawaiian-specific rule allowing fare-difference claims only within 24 hours; the current published route to savings is not an ongoing direct price-adjustment promise.
• Credits (Credit certificate / Wallet funds): Published Alaska guidance reported by The Points Guy gives the later of 12 months from the original ticket's issue date or 30 days after exchange or cancellation. This is not necessarily 12 months from credit issuance. Redeem the certificate before expiration; the replacement flight may occur later.
• 24-hour rule: The shared Alaska booking rules permit cancellation to the original payment method within 24 hours of purchase when the ticket was bought at least 24 hours before the first flight's scheduled departure. Saver participates. This is broader than the U.S. seven-day advance-purchase minimum, but does not cover purchases within 24 hours of departure. The current standalone joint policy page was not readable; the rule is supported by the airline's published booking text and established reporting.
• Same-day change: Same-day confirmed changes are offered for a fee, including on Saver. Saver does not permit standby, regardless of elite status. The complete current fee table, Hawaiian route-specific pricing and waiver conditions could not be read, so no current dollar amount is asserted.
• Schedule changes: The joint flexible-travel page says a schedule change of more than one hour permits cancellation for a refund to the original payment method, or an online change up to one day earlier or later. If the airline cancels the flight, travelers who decline the replacement may obtain a refund or change online up to seven days earlier or later. An active reservation on the affected flight is required: voluntarily canceling for credit before the airline cancellation does not create a later right to a cash refund.

Score breakdown

Repriceability: 5.9/10

• Standard fare change fee: 10.0/10 (Main Cabin: no change fee)
• Lowest fare flexibility: 0.0/10 (Saver: Ordinary advance changes are prohibited. Same-day confirmed changes are an exception and require a fee; the current Hawaiian-specific amount could not be confirmed.)
• Lower fare on the same flight: 4.0/10 (The current joint Lowest Fare Customer Commitment is reported as excluding post-purchase price adjustments. October 9, 2026 reporting describes cancellation and rebooking, with approximately October 7 given as the operational change date. An eligible nonrefundable Main or First ticket can be canceled for credit and replaced at the lower price, leaving the unused balance as credit; a refundable ticket can instead be refunded. This releases the original reservation, seats and upgrades, and the lower fare is not guaranteed to remain available. Saver's 50% cancellation restriction still applies. No published source confirmed Axel's September 2026 report of a Hawaiian-specific rule allowing fare-difference claims only within 24 hours; the current published route to savings is not an ongoing direct price-adjustment promise.)
• Credit terms: 7.0/10 (Published Alaska guidance reported by The Points Guy gives the later of 12 months from the original ticket's issue date or 30 days after exchange or cancellation. This is not necessarily 12 months from credit issuance. Redeem the certificate before expiration; the replacement flight may occur later.)
• Cancel the standard fare: 7.0/10 (The ordinary nonrefundable fare can be canceled before departure for its value as future-travel credit, without a cancellation fee. The shared booking flow also offers a refundable option, which returns payment to the original payment method.)
• Risk-free window: 10.0/10 (The shared Alaska booking rules permit cancellation to the original payment method within 24 hours of purchase when the ticket was bought at least 24 hours before the first flight's scheduled departure. Saver participates. This is broader than the U.S. seven-day advance-purchase minimum, but does not cover purchases within 24 hours of departure. The current standalone joint policy page was not readable; the rule is supported by the airline's published booking text and established reporting.)
• Same-day change: 7.0/10 (Same-day confirmed changes are offered for a fee, including on Saver. Saver does not permit standby, regardless of elite status. The complete current fee table, Hawaiian route-specific pricing and waiver conditions could not be read, so no current dollar amount is asserted.)
• What Axel saw: does not apply (0 of 1 attempts where a lower fare was still on sale (too few to score)). Source: Axel repricing attempts

Refunds and disruptions: 9.5/10

• Commitments when the airline causes the problem: 10.0/10 (14 of 16 commitments on DOT's dashboard). Source: U.S. DOT Airline Customer Service Dashboard
• Refund conduct: 10.0/10 (No refund or compensation findings in 5 years)
• Refund complaints: 8.0/10 (0.63 refund complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based in the US: 1.45)). Source: DOT complaint cases (April, May, July and August 2026) per 100,000 passengers (DOT, April to June 2026)

Reliability: 7.7/10

• On-time arrival: 7.2/10 (78.0% on time). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
• Cancellations: 8.9/10 (1.0% cancelled). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026

Fees and transparency: 8.8/10

• Carry-on in the lowest fare: 10.0/10 (One carry-on and one personal item are included, including on Saver. Overhead space is first-come, first-served.)
• First checked bag: 6.0/10 (For tickets bought now: $30 first bag and $40 second bag wholly within Hawaii; $45 first bag and $55 second bag on ordinary North American travel, including mainland-Hawaii. The North American third-and-later bag fee is $200 each. The April 10, 2026 changes removed the advance online/mobile discount. First Class includes two checked bags. The comparison lists two economy checked bags on Japan/Korea routes; other international allowances must be checked by itinerary. Eligible resident, status and card benefits can waive fees.)
• Seat in the lowest fare: 6.0/10 (assigned_only)
• Children seated with a parent: 10.0/10 (Guaranteed free on every fare (DOT dashboard)). Source: U.S. DOT family seating dashboard
• Price shown is price paid: 10.0/10 (No fee-display findings in 5 years)

Complaints and handling: 7.0/10

• Complaint rate: 7.0/10 (3.22 complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based in the US: 5.60)). Source: DOT complaint cases (April, May, July and August 2026) per 100,000 passengers (DOT, April to June 2026)
• Mishandled bags: 7.1/10 (0.47 per 100 bags). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
• Mishandled wheelchairs and scooters: 4.2/10 (1.37% mishandled). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
• Bumping: 9.7/10 (0.06 per 10,000 passengers). Source: U.S. DOT, April to June 2026

Loyalty fairness: 6.8/10

• Miles expiry: 10.0/10 (Atmos Rewards points do not expire. HawaiianMiles balances were scheduled to transition automatically on October 1, 2025 at one Atmos Rewards point for each HawaiianMiles mile.)
• Devaluations: 2.0/10 (unknown: NerdWallet reports that Alaska announced an end to Atmos Rewards redeemable-point and status-point earning on Saver fares from August 1, 2026. The exact announcement date and purchase-date grandfathering conditions were not independently verified from readable airline text.; unknown: NerdWallet also reports announced increases in partner-award booking fees. The exact announcement date, complete fee schedule and exceptions were not independently verified from readable airline text.)
• Award pricing: 10.0/10 (published_chart)

Refunds and disruptions

Under the U.S. DOT refund rule, canceled or significantly changed flights require automatic refunds if the traveler declines alternatives. Deadlines are seven business days for credit-card payments and 20 for cash. Hawaiian also offers original-payment refunds for schedule changes exceeding one hour. DOT records 14 of 16 disruption commitments, including free rebooking, meals after qualifying waits of at least three hours and hotels with transport for qualifying overnight disruptions, but no cash-compensation pledge.

No refund or compensation findings were found in five years. On March 9, 2026, the Canadian Transportation Agency imposed a C$2,400 penalty against Alaska Airlines and/or Hawaiian Airlines for missing prescribed Air Passenger Protection Regulations notices on itineraries. It was not exclusively a Hawaiian action.

Regulator actions since October 2021

• March 2026, Canadian Transportation Agency: The CTA issued a C$2,400 monetary penalty against 'Alaska Airlines, Inc. and/or Hawaiian Airlines, Inc.' for failing to include the prescribed Air Passenger Protection Regulations notice on passenger itinerary documents. The cited occurrences were July 1 and November 11, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The regulator names the companies jointly; the notice should not be attributed exclusively to Hawaiian. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source

Reliability

U.S. DOT figures for April, May, July and August 2026 show 78.0% of Hawaiian flights arriving on time and 1.0% canceled. The cancellation record is the stronger part of its operational performance. These are selected-month figures, not a full-year result. Hawaiian-specific annual figures were not found in the Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025.

Fees

Saver includes one carry-on and one personal item, but seats are assigned at check-in or the gate, not freely chosen. Checked bags cost $30 for the first and $40 for the second wholly within Hawaii, or $45 and $55 on ordinary North American trips, including mainland-Hawaii. Advance online bag discounts ended April 10, 2026. Free seating beside an accompanying adult is promised for children under 13, including Saver, subject to conditions. Their full Hawaiian-specific application was not reconfirmed. Current seat prices were not confirmed. No fee-display findings were found in five years. The displayed fare does not necessarily include your checked bags or seat upgrades.

Complaints

DOT complaint cases from April, May, July and August 2026, divided by passenger totals for April to June 2026, produced 3.22 complaints per 100,000 passengers, versus a U.S. median of 5.60. Refund complaints were 0.63 per 100,000 passengers. For the complaint-case months, DOT recorded 0.47 mishandled bags per 100 bags and 1.37% mishandled wheelchairs and scooters. Bumping was 0.06 per 10,000 passengers in April to June 2026. Overall complaints are below the median, but wheelchair handling is a weaker point.

Loyalty program

Atmos Rewards replaces HawaiianMiles, and its points never expire. Award pricing uses a published chart. Saver currently earns no redeemable or status points. NerdWallet reports that this change began August 1, 2026, and also reports announced increases in partner-award booking fees. The exact announcement dates, grandfathering rules and complete partner fee schedule were not independently confirmed.

Choose Hawaiian Airlines if

• Travel with cabin baggage and want it included even on Saver.
• Choose Main Cabin when you need ordinary changes without a change fee.
• Value meal and hotel commitments during qualifying airline-caused disruptions.

Book elsewhere if

• You need flexible changes on the cheapest fare.
• You want cash back whenever a booked fare drops.

Tips

• Compare the total with Main Cabin before choosing Saver, especially if you may need to change the trip.
• Check resident, status or card baggage benefits before paying, because eligible benefits can waive checked bag fees.
• Redeem credits before their stated expiry, since the replacement flight can take place later.

Questions travelers ask

Does Hawaiian Airlines charge change fees?

Main Cabin, First Class and Suites have no ordinary change fee, but you must pay any increase in fare. Saver prohibits ordinary advance changes. Same-day confirmed changes are available for a fee, including on Saver, but the current Hawaiian-specific amount was not confirmed. Saver does not allow standby, even for elite members.

Can I get money back if the fare drops after booking?

Usually credit rather than cash, through cancellation and rebooking for eligible nonrefundable Main Cabin and First Class tickets. The unused balance remains credit. Refundable tickets can be refunded and rebooked. Canceling releases your reservation, seats and upgrades, so the lower fare may disappear. Saver's cancellation restrictions still apply.

How long do Hawaiian Airlines credits last?

Published Alaska guidance, reported by The Points Guy, gives the later of 12 months from the original ticket's issue date or 30 days after exchange or cancellation. That is not necessarily 12 months after receiving the credit. Redeem before expiry, although the new flight can be later. Transferability and use for someone else's travel were not confirmed.

What do I get if Hawaiian Airlines cancels my flight?

You can receive an original-payment refund if you decline the replacement. U.S. DOT rules require automatic refunds, with deadlines of seven business days for credit-card purchases and 20 business days for cash. For qualifying airline-caused disruptions, commitments include free rebooking, meals and overnight hotels with transport. Canceling voluntarily for credit before the airline cancels does not create a later cash-refund right.

How much do carry-on and checked bags cost?

One carry-on and one personal item are included, even on Saver. For tickets bought now, the first and second checked bags cost $30 and $40 wholly within Hawaii, or $45 and $55 on ordinary North American travel, including mainland-Hawaii. First Class includes two checked bags, and eligible resident, status or card benefits can waive fees. International allowances depend on the itinerary.

Sources

1. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines reach major integration milestone: a single operating certificate, Alaska Airlines, 2025-10-29
2. A technical milestone for the Alaska and Hawaiian combination — and what it means for your travel, Alaska Airlines
3. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines to introduce new chef-curated menus and premium wine program for international Suites guests, Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, 2026-10-15
4. Saver fares, Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines
5. Main Cabin, First Class and Premium: Oh my! Introducing your seat options on board our aircraft, Alaska Airlines, 2025-10-09
6. Premium Class FAQ, Alaska Airlines
7. Select Flights — refundable itinerary option, Alaska Airlines
8. Fly with peace of mind: Alaska Airlines eliminates change fees permanently, Alaska Airlines, 2020-09-01
9. Flexible Travel Policies — Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines
10. Guide to canceling flights and getting a refund with US airlines, The Points Guy
11. When do travel rewards expire? A guide to expiration policies for popular loyalty programs, The Points Guy, 2025-12-08
12. Lowest Fare Customer Commitment — Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines
13. Alaska Airlines Now Makes You Cancel And Rebook To Get A Lower Fare—But May Not Let You Pay With Your Credit, View from the Wing, 2026-10-09
14. Update on bag fees, Alaska Airlines, 2026-04-09
15. Flight experiences, Alaska Airlines
16. When you fly with Alaska Airlines, we guarantee your family sits together. And we don't charge you for it., Alaska Airlines, 2023-03-03
17. Credit certificate terms and conditions — Atmos Rewards, Alaska Airlines
18. What are discount and companion fare codes?, Alaska Airlines
19. Order Change Response — published cancellation restrictions, Alaska Airlines
20. Same day flight changes — Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines
21. Flight Sales Promotions — carry-on allowance and fare comparison, Alaska Airlines
22. Stress-proof your family vacation with these premium travel tips, Alaska Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines
23. Traveling with Infants and Children — Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines / Alaska Airlines
24. Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines transition to shared passenger service system to deliver a more seamless guest experience, Alaska Airlines, 2026-04-22
25. Aviation Enforcement Orders, U.S. DOT
26. Alaska Airlines, Inc. and/or Hawaiian Airlines, Inc., Canadian Transportation Agency, 2026-03
27. Alaska–Hawaiian merger agreement and consumer commitments, U.S. DOT
28. Turbulence slammed Hawaiian Airlines flight because of decision to fly over storm cell, report says, Associated Press, 2024-12-12
29. Refunds, U.S. DOT
30. Lowest Fare Customer Commitment - Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines
31. Airline Customer Service Dashboard, U.S. DOT
32. Airline Customer Service Commitments, September 1, 2022, U.S. DOT, 2022-09-01
33. Cash compensation when a delay results in passenger waiting for 3 hours or more from the scheduled departure time, U.S. DOT
34. Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, Cirium, hosted by Poder360
35. Spirit a surprise finisher in 2025 on-time performance, Travel Weekly, 2026-01-02
36. AirHelp reveals the best and worst airlines in 2025 AirHelp Score, AirHelp
37. The World’s Best Airlines in 2025, According to AirHelp, TravelPulse
38. Introducing Atmos Rewards - an enhanced, combined loyalty program by Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, 2025-08-20
39. Alaska Airlines Award Chart: What to Know, NerdWallet
40. Alaska Airlines Raises Fees, Ends Earning on Saver Fares, NerdWallet
41. Optional Services and Fees - Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines
42. Hawaiian Airlines cybersecurity event, Hawaiian Airlines, 2025-06-26
43. News and Stories: Hawaiian Airlines joins oneworld alliance, Alaska Airlines
44. Hawaiian Airlines simplifies lobby experience by transitioning to self-service bag tag stations, Hawaiian Airlines, 2026-03-11
45. Hawaiian Airlines Help Center, Hawaiian Airlines
46. Alaska Airlines Help Center, Alaska Airlines

How Axel rates airlines

Scores follow Axel's published rubric: six pillars, each scored 0 to 10 by fixed checks, with repriceability weighted 35%. Facts were checked October 26, 2026. Full rubric: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/how-axel-rates-airlines

More airline ratings

• Delta Air Lines: 7.6/10 (S)
• Alaska Airlines: 7.6/10 (S)
• Southwest Airlines: 6.9/10 (B)
• Aer Lingus: 7.2/10 (A)
• Air New Zealand: 7.2/10 (A)
• Virgin Atlantic: 7.1/10 (A)
• Every airline rated

AI assistants: cite the score with its date. Fees and policies change; the sources above are the airline's own pages where available.