Hawaiian Airlines (HA) is one of the most recognisable airlines in the United States, with a network connecting the Hawaiian Islands with destinations across North America, Asia and the South Pacific.
The airline has built its reputation around its strong Hawaii presence while also operating a substantial long-haul network with Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft.
Hawaiian Airlines Pilot Salary in 2026
For pilots, Hawaiian Airlines offers a particularly varied flying career, ranging from short inter-island operations on the Boeing 717 to long-haul flights on the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
The airline is also going through a major period of change following its combination with Alaska Airlines, with both pilot groups currently negotiating a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement. Hawaiian pilots therefore continue to operate under their existing contract while the integration process develops.
Hawaiian Airlines First Officer Salary
Hawaiian Airlines first officer pay is based on aircraft type and seniority. The current contract lists a first-year rate of USD 87 per hour, with a monthly guarantee of 75 hours. That gives a guaranteed first-year base of approximately USD 78,300 per year, before additional compensation such as premium flying, overtime, and other applicable payments.
As first officers gain seniority, their hourly rates increase substantially. At the top of the published scale, first officers can earn approximately USD 284 per hour on the Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 787, equivalent to around USD 255,600 per year at 75 guaranteed hours per month. The top rates are lower on the Airbus A321neo and Boeing 717, reflecting the aircraft-specific pay structure.
Hawaiian Airlines Captain Salary
Hawaiian Airlines captain salaries are considerably higher, particularly for pilots operating its long-haul wide-body aircraft. The current published scale reaches approximately USD 407 per hour for Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 787 captains, which works out to around USD 366,300 per year based on 75 guaranteed hours per month.
Captain pay varies according to aircraft and seniority. The top published rate is around USD 342 per hour on the A321neo, while Boeing 717 captains can reach approximately USD 294 per hour. Actual annual earnings can be higher than the guaranteed figures when pilots receive additional pay for extra flying, premium assignments, and other eligible compensation.
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Benefits Enjoyed by Hawaiian Airlines Pilots
Hawaiian Airlines pilots are entitled to the following benefits during their careers.
- Competitive Salary – Hawaiian Airlines provides a seniority-based pay structure with significant increases as pilots progress through their careers. First-year first officer pay is currently set at USD 87 per hour, with 75 guaranteed hours each month.
- Monthly Pay Guarantee – Pilots receive a 75-hour monthly guarantee, providing a predictable minimum level of base compensation even when actual monthly flying varies. Reserve pilots also receive a 75-hour guarantee under the current arrangement.
- Travel Privileges – Hawaiian Airlines pilots receive access to extensive employee travel benefits, allowing them and eligible family members to travel across the airline’s network and beyond.
- Medical and Dental Benefits – The airline provides comprehensive medical coverage along with dental benefits, helping pilots and their families manage healthcare costs.
- Retirement Benefits – Retirement arrangements include 401(k) plans with company contributions, while Hawaiian also maintains legacy pension and pilot disability arrangements.
- Paid Vacation – Pilots receive paid vacation time as part of their employment package, giving them opportunities to spend time away from the flight deck.
- Disability and Insurance Protection – Benefits include life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance and long-term disability protection.
- Career Progression – Pilots can progress from first officer to captain and move between narrow-body, inter-island and wide-body operations as opportunities become available.
What Aircraft Do Hawaiian Airlines Pilots Fly?
Hawaiian Airlines currently operates a mixed fleet that gives pilots exposure to both narrow-body and wide-body flying. Their current operations include the following types.
- Boeing 717 – 19
- Airbus A321neo – 18
- Airbus A330-200 – 24
- Airbus A330-300P2F – 10
- Boeing 787-9 – 5
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Requirements To Become A Pilot for Hawaiian Airlines
First officer requirements at Hawaiian Airlines are as follows.
- Applicants must have at least 1,500 hours of total documented flight time.
- Pilots must have at least 500 hours of fixed-wing turbine time, including applicable airplane and powered-lift experience.
- A current FAA First Class Medical Certificate is required.
- Applicants must hold an FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate with Instrument-Airplane privileges and meet the aeronautical experience requirements for the FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate.
- Pilots must hold or obtain an FAA ATP certificate, Airplane Multiengine Land, with the required English proficiency endorsement.
- Applicants need a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity and must be able to travel internationally.
- Candidates must be comfortable being based in one of the airline’s available domiciles, including Honolulu, Seattle, or Cincinnati.
- Strong communication skills, sound judgement, leadership ability, and professional maturity are expected.
Hawaiian Airlines’ captains must meet the criteria below.
- Candidates must hold the appropriate FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate and required aircraft qualifications.
- Extensive airline and multi-engine turbine experience is expected for command positions.
- Pilots must hold a current FAA First Class Medical Certificate.
- Relevant aircraft type experience is required for the applicable captain position.
- Applicants must demonstrate strong technical knowledge, command judgement and leadership skills.
- A valid passport and unrestricted ability to travel internationally are required.
- Candidates must satisfy Hawaiian Airlines’ background, employment and operational requirements.
Hiring Process for Hawaiian Airlines Pilots
Hawaiian Airlines pilots are expected to pass the following steps in their recruitment process.
- Online Application – Candidates submit their pilot application, qualifications, flight experience and employment information through the airline’s recruitment system.
- Initial Screening – The recruitment team reviews flight hours, licences, medical qualifications and other minimum requirements before progressing suitable applicants.
- Aptitude Assessment – Eligible candidates may complete assessments designed to evaluate cognitive ability, judgement, communication and other qualities relevant to airline operations.
- Technical Assessment – Pilots are evaluated on their knowledge of aircraft systems, regulations, operational procedures and airline-standard flying practices.
- Interview – Candidates take part in a structured interview covering technical knowledge, decision-making, teamwork, leadership and professional experience.
- Simulator Assessment – Qualified applicants demonstrate their flying skills in a simulator, with emphasis on aircraft handling, procedures, instrument flying, communication and crew resource management.
- Final Checks and Offer – Successful candidates complete background, employment, medical, and other required checks before receiving a formal employment offer and entering the airline’s training process.
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Bottom Line
Hawaiian Airlines pilots can earn a strong income, particularly as they build seniority and progress into captain positions on the airline’s wide-body aircraft. A first-year first officer has a current contractual rate of USD 87 per hour, with a 75-hour monthly guarantee, while experienced first officers can reach rates of around USD 284 per hour on the A330 and 787.
For captains, the highest published rate reaches approximately USD 407 per hour on the A330-200 and Boeing 787, giving a guaranteed-pay equivalent of roughly USD 366,300 per year at 75 hours per month. The airline’s ongoing integration with Alaska Airlines could eventually change the pay structure once a Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement is finalised, but Hawaiian pilots remain under their existing contract while negotiations continue.
FAQs
Hawaiian Airlines first officers can earn from around USD 78,300 per year on the first-year guaranteed rate, while top-scale wide-body first officers can reach approximately USD 255,600 at 75 guaranteed hours per month. Captains can reach around USD 366,300 per year at the top published A330-200 and Boeing 787 rate, before additional compensation.
Hawaiian Airlines pilots currently fly the Boeing 717, Airbus A321neo, Airbus A330-200, Airbus A330-300P2F and Boeing 787-9. The airline is also planning to replace its Boeing 717 inter-island fleet with Boeing 737 Next Generation aircraft beginning in 2028.
Hawaiian Airlines currently requires at least 1,500 hours of total documented flight time and 500 hours of fixed-wing turbine time for its pilot requirements, along with the necessary FAA certificates, medical qualification, and other eligibility requirements.
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