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

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

Which is more reliable, Hawaiian or United?

In 2025 Hawaiian arrived on time 81.9% of the time (0.8% cancelled) and United 77.7% (0.8% cancelled), according to U.S. DOT data.

Which has better Wi-Fi, Hawaiian or United?

Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s. United: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped planes (fleetwide by end of 2027); otherwise paid.

Which cancels fewer flights, Hawaiian or United?

In 2025 Hawaiian cancelled 0.8% of its flights and United 0.8%, close to a tie (U.S. DOT data).

Are Hawaiian and United partners?

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

HA vs UA · 2026 comparison

Hawaiian vs United

Q: Do Hawaiian and United include a carry-on on basic economy?

Hawaiian: A carry-on and personal item come with Main Cabin fares; check your Basic fare's details when booking. United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Hawaiian wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a better on-time record; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Hawaiian

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A better on-time record

United

Wins 1 category

A more generous carry-on weight limit

Quick verdict

Hawaiian wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a better on-time record; United wins on a more generous carry-on weight limit. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Hawaiian: 22 × 14 × 9 in · United: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Hawaiian: Included on every fare · United: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Hawaiian: $45 · United: $45
Wi-Fi: Hawaiian: Free on some planes · United: Free on some planes
On-time arrivals (2025): Hawaiian: 81.9% · United: 77.7%

Side by side

	Hawaiian	United
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	25 lb (11.3 kg)	None published
Personal item	Must fit under the seat	17 × 10 × 9 in
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Comfort
Wi-Fi	Free on some planes	Free on some planes
Reliability
On-time arrivals (2025)	81.9%	77.7%
Flights cancelled (2025)	0.8%	0.8%
Network
Alliance	oneworld	Star Alliance
Loyalty program	Atmos Rewards	MileagePlus
Main hubs	HNL	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO

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).

Hawaiian includes it on every fare, while United's Basic Economy can be personal-item only.

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

Personal items: anything that fits under the seat on Hawaiian, and 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United.

A first checked bag on Hawaiian costs $45 on flights between Hawaii and North America, and a first checked bag on United costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America and Caribbean flights.

Basic economy

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

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

Seats and Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi on Hawaiian: Free Starlink Wi-Fi on its Airbus jets; no Wi-Fi on inter-island Boeing 717s. On United: Free for MileagePlus members on Starlink-equipped planes (fleetwide by end of 2027); otherwise paid.

On-time performance

In 2025, Hawaiian landed 81.9% of its flights on time and cancelled 0.8%; United landed 77.7% 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

Hawaiian is in oneworld and United is in Star Alliance.

Loyalty programs: Atmos Rewards (Hawaiian) and MileagePlus (United).

Hawaiian's main hubs are Honolulu (HNL). United's are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Hawaiian if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a better on-time record
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from HNL

Choose United if you want…

a more generous carry-on weight limit
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.