Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, American or Hawaiian?

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), up to 25 lb (11.3 kg).

Do American and Hawaiian include a carry-on on basic economy?

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. Hawaiian: A carry-on and personal item come with Main Cabin fares; check your Basic fare's details when booking.

Which is more reliable, American or Hawaiian?

In 2025 American arrived on time 72.7% of the time (1.8% cancelled) and Hawaiian 81.9% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has better Wi-Fi, American or Hawaiian?

American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s.

Which cancels fewer flights, American or Hawaiian?

In 2025 American cancelled 1.8% of its flights and Hawaiian 0.8%, so Hawaiian had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are American and Hawaiian partners?

Yes. Both belong to oneworld, so you can usually earn miles and use elite benefits across the two.

AA vs HA · 2026 comparison

American vs Hawaiian

American wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and better Wi-Fi access; Hawaiian wins on a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

American

Wins 2 categories

A more generous carry-on weight limit
Better Wi-Fi access

Hawaiian

Wins 2 categories

A better on-time record
Fewer cancellations

Quick verdict

American wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit and better Wi-Fi access; Hawaiian wins on a better on-time record and fewer cancellations. Both include a carry-on on every fare.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · Hawaiian: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · Hawaiian: $45
Wi-Fi: American: Free for members · Hawaiian: Free on some planes
On-time arrivals (2025): American: 72.7% · Hawaiian: 81.9%

Side by side

	American	Hawaiian
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	25 lb (11.3 kg)
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Wi-Fi	Free for members	Free on some planes
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	72.7%	81.9%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.8%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	oneworld
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	Atmos Rewards
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	HNL

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).

Both include it on their cheapest fares.

Hawaiian caps carry-ons at 25 lb (11.3 kg); American publishes no limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and anything that fits under the seat on Hawaiian.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on Hawaiian costs $45 on flights between Hawaii and North America.

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Hawaiian (Main Cabin Basic): A carry-on and personal item come with Main Cabin fares; check your Basic fare's details when booking.

Seats and Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi on American: Free for AAdvantage members, rolling out since January 2026. On Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s.

On-time performance

In 2025, American landed 72.7% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.8%; Hawaiian landed 81.9% on time and cancelled 0.8%. That makes Hawaiian the more punctual of the two. The figures come from the U.S. DOT and count each airline's own flights, not regional partners.

Loyalty and where they fly

Both are oneworld members, so status and miles can work across the two.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and Atmos Rewards (Hawaiian).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). Hawaiian's are Honolulu (HNL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose American if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
better Wi-Fi access
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose Hawaiian if you want…

a better on-time record
fewer cancellations
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HNL

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.