The airline will now treat board bags like standard checked bags. Photo: American Airlines
Traveling with a surfboard on an American Airlines flight just got a little easier on your wallet. On Tuesday, the airline announced sweeping changes to its oversized baggage fees including large sporting equipment like surfboards, skis, snowboards, and bicycles. Instead of charging $150 each way within the U.S., American will now treat those items like regular checked bags, charging just $30 effective immediately.
The standard checked bag fee will apply to a surfboard bag up to 50 lbs. and 10.5 feet in length, the company’s website says. A single bag can carry multiple surfboards so long as it doesn’t exceed the aforementioned limits and will be treated as one piece of luggage.
According to CNBC, American’s policy change comes as a result of customer feedback about the high cost of traveling with surfboards and other items.
American is the latest in a string of airlines that have adjusted the way they charge customers traveling with surfboards. After a social media curfuffle in 2016, Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines reduced their fees in 2017. And last year, citing California making surfing its state sport, United Airlines slashed board bag fees for all itineraries originating or ending in California.
So, will other U.S.-based carriers pick up on the trend? We’re looking at you Delta and Southwest.
