Hawaiian Airlines Pilot Salary in 2025

Hawaiian Airlines (HA) is a full-service carrier headquartered in Honolulu with an operating hub in Kahului as well. Since September 2024, the airline has been a part of the Alaska Air Group and, with a fleet of close to 75 aircraft, including cargo planes, flies to over 30 destinations in the United States as well as overseas, particularly in the eastern region of Asia.

It is the fifth full-service airline in the United States, besides Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, but the only one without operating in Hawaii without a hub in the mainland of the country.

Yet, it is one of the oldest air operators in the U.S., having first flown 95 years ago under the name of Inter-Island Airways.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines pilot salary in 2025

At present, Hawaiian Airlines has close to 1,100 pilots on its payroll who are responsible for ensuring smooth connectivity in and around the American islands, in the mainland US, and to a limited number of foreign destinations.

Here is a look at how much they are paid, the other benefits they enjoy, and the requirements one must meet to become a pilot for Hawaiian.

Hawaiian Airlines first officer salary

Hawaiian Airlines’ first officers are the airline’s junior crop of pilots, who are responsible for assisting the captain in safely completing a flight. They primarily handle communication with air traffic control and monitor the vital systems on an aircraft, while in some cases, they could also act as a pilot flying under the shadow of the commander in order to gain their four stripes.

The airline expects its first officers to fly for 80 hours in a month and pays them a salary between US$80,640 and US$272,640 per year, depending on the experience, flying hours, and type of aircraft flown.

For hours exceeding the 80-hour mark, each unit is compensated at a rate between US$84 and US$284 with the amount varying with every employee’s seniority.

Hawaiian Airlines captain’s salary

Hawaiian Airlines’ captains are the carrier’s senior band of pilots, who are responsible for flying the aircraft safely from its origin to its destination, managing the flight crew, and making crucial decisions regarding emergencies or navigation of the plane. The most experienced set of captains is also tasked with mentoring first officers to become commanders with adequate experience.

As with first officers, captains are also paid for a minimum of 80 flying hours in a month with salaries ranging from US$359,040 to US$390,720 per year, depending on the experience, flying hours, and type of aircraft flown.

For each additional unit over the 80-hour mark, an hourly payout between US$270 and US$407 is made, depending on each individual’s seniority.

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Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

Benefits enjoyed by Hawaiian Airlines pilots

Hawaiian Airlines pilots are entitled to the following benefits in addition to their salaries.

• Allowances – Hawaiian Airlines pilots receive layover allowances depending on the destination and time spent away from base. They are also paid out an amount if required to deadhead from the base to another port on the airline’s network.
• Signing bonus – Hawaiian Airlines pilots are paid a $10,000 signing bonus, with the amount set to be revised in 2027. The amount gives new hires a good amount of cash to spend while settling into a new base, given that the carrier operates in a very distant geography.
• Discounts and privileges – Hawaiian Airlines pilots are entitled to discounted fares on the carrier’s network, and recently, also with Alaska Airlines. They can also leverage discounts with corporate partners like car rentals, hotel companies, and travel agencies.
• Insurance policy – Hawaiian Airlines pilots are entitled to a comprehensive medical insurance policy that ensures global coverage for all health-related expenses. They also receive a life insurance scheme with compensation paid out in case of mishaps.
• Retirement scheme – Hawaiian Airlines has a 401(k) plan, which allows employees to contribute funds into a separate account set aside for retirement. The carrier also makes a contribution towards the same after agreeing with each pilot.

Photo: By Ganbaruby – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=107075690

What aircraft do Hawaiian Airlines pilots fly?

Hawaiian Airlines operates a mixed fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft. Here is a look at the breakdown of each airplane type.

• Airbus A321neo – 18
• Airbus A330-200 – 24
• Boeing 717-200 – 19
• Boeing 787-9 – 4

In addition to its existing fleet, the carrier also has eight Boeing 787-9s on order and 10 Airbus A330-200P2Fs as part of its cargo fleet – these aircraft operate for Amazon Air.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

How to become a Hawaiian Airlines pilot?

Hawaiian Airlines has the following requirements for its pilots. While no criteria have been specifically set out for captains, the carrier hires commanders depending on operational requirements, though mainly they are internally promoted.

• FAA ATP certified, Airplane Multiengine Land with English proficiency endorsement required
• Minimum 1,500 total flight hours
• Minimum 1,000 fixed-wing hours
• High school diploma or its equivalent
• Valid First Class Medical Certificate
• Valid FCC Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Security Clearance
• Valid Passport
• Must be eligible to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship, such as an H-1B visa, by Hawaiian Airlines
• Must be able to obtain a Flight Crew Visa to all of Hawaiian Airlines’ destinations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to use sound judgment in decision-making
• Able to work effectively within diverse teams
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain composure under pressure
• Must support Hawaiian Airlines’ mission: “To grow a profitable airline with a passion for excellence, our customers, our people, and the spirit of Hawaii,” with commitment, the aloha spirit, and Hawaiian hospitality
• Must support Hawaiian Airlines’ vision: “To be the #1 destination carrier in the world”

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines’ hiring process for pilots

Hawaiian Airlines follows the steps below in its hiring process for pilots.

1. Application – Hawaiian Airlines advertises its pilot vacancies on its careers page. Interested candidates must upload their resume and all other supporting documents on the online portal, with preference given to those who also submit recommendation letters.
2. Initial screening – An initial screening is conducted for the shortlisted candidates by the Hawaiian Airlines recruitment team. This is done through a phone call, through which an applicant’s background, qualifications, and career goals are gauged.
3. Assessments – The candidates who pass the screening process must take a few assessment tests to help the recruiters understand their psychometric abilities, situational judgement, and behavioural attributes in the environment the airline demands.
4. Interviews – A panel discussion and group interviews follow the assessment steps, with one-on-one interactions also held between the candidates and the hiring team. In some cases, a simulator exam is conducted during this stage as well.
5. Conditional offer – Hawaiian Airlines makes the selected pilots a conditional offer subject to the successful verification of documentation, completion of background checks, and medical tests. Thereafter, a start date is decided.

Photo: Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines pilot FAQs

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