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

Delta: 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 Delta and Hawaiian include a carry-on on basic economy?

Delta: Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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, Delta or Hawaiian?

In 2025 Delta arrived on time 79.1% of the time (1.1% cancelled) and Hawaiian 81.9% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has better Wi-Fi, Delta or Hawaiian?

Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights. Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s.

Which cancels fewer flights, Delta or Hawaiian?

In 2025 Delta cancelled 1.1% of its flights and Hawaiian 0.8%, so Hawaiian had the edge (U.S. DOT data).

Are Delta and Hawaiian partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Delta: SkyTeam; Hawaiian: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

DL vs HA · 2026 comparison

Delta vs Hawaiian

Delta 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

Delta

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

Delta 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: Delta: 22 × 14 × 9 in · Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Delta: Included on every fare · Hawaiian: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Delta: $45 · Hawaiian: $45
Wi-Fi: Delta: Free for members · Hawaiian: Free on some planes
On-time arrivals (2025): Delta: 79.1% · Hawaiian: 81.9%

Side by side

	Delta	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	Must fit under the seat	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)	79.1%	81.9%
Flights cancelled (2025)	1.1%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	SkyTeam	oneworld
Loyalty program	SkyMiles	Atmos Rewards
Main hubs	ATL, DTW, MSP, SLC, JFK	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); Delta publishes no limit.

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Delta, and anything that fits under the seat on Hawaiian.

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

Basic economy

Delta (Delta Main Basic): Main Basic (formerly Basic Economy) includes a carry-on and a personal item on U.S. flights. 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 Delta: Free for SkyMiles members on most flights. On Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s.

On-time performance

In 2025, Delta landed 79.1% of its flights on time and cancelled 1.1%; 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

Delta is in SkyTeam and Hawaiian is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: SkyMiles (Delta) and Atmos Rewards (Hawaiian).

Delta's main hubs are Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW), Minneapolis (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), New York (JFK). Hawaiian's are Honolulu (HNL). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Delta if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
better Wi-Fi access
to earn and use SkyTeam miles and status
nonstops from ATL, DTW, MSP

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.