Photo: Tim Dennert//Unsplash
Every surfer eventually feels the tug of wanderlust. Even if you live on the doorstep of a world class wave, the allure of hidden breaks and legendary surf spots across the globe will call you to pack up your boards in search of new horizons. Unfortunately, the ensuing journey rarely comes cheap. Even after you’ve bit the bullet and bought a plane ticket and hotel room, there’s the hazard of unexpected, and often confusing, fees for traveling with boards.
Luckily, some airlines have softened on board bag fees in recent years. The latest was Hawaiian Airlines, which announced a major policy change, making surfboards part of its standard checked baggage allowances – a move sparked by feedback from surfers and a commitment to celebrating Hawaii’s surf culture. However, not every airline has been as sensitive to the needs of surf travelers.
To help navigate the skies without wiping out your wallet, we’ve compiled a guide to what airlines charge for checking surfboards; because whether you’re bound for Bali, Tahiti, or somewhere entirely off the beaten path, it pays to know what you’re getting into before you get to the airport.
One important thing to note: Many of these airlines list their length limit in “linear inches.” This refers to the combined total of length, width, and height — not the board’s actual height. For example: While 126 inches measures out to over 10 feet along a straight line, by the airline’s standard it’s actually closer to 6.5 or seven feet (if a board bag is 88 inches + 22 inches + 16 inches). To avoid issues, carefully measure your bag’s dimensions, verify with the airline, and be prepared for strict policy enforcement.
Aer Lingus
Fee: Varies| Length limit: 80-94 inches
Boards qualify as checked baggage for flights to and from North America, as long as they weigh under 50 pounds and have a length of less than 94 inches (Standard excess baggage fees apply for items exceeding the airline’s maximum allowance). All other flights incur an additional fee of $42. For regional flights, the length limit drops to 80 inches and acceptance of sports equipment depends on space availability on the day of travel. Boards are free no matter the destination for business class passengers.
Aer Lingus Sports Equipment Info
Aeromexico
Fee: $75-150 | Length limit: 78 – 115 inches
A board bag will cost you $75 for a one-way trip within Mexico, or $150 for international flights. Pack up to three boards per bag, but keep the weight under 70 pounds. Length limits depend on the aircraft: 80 inches for narrow-body cabins and 115 inches for wide-body cabins.
Aeromexico Special Luggage Info
Air Canada
Fee: $100-120 | Length limit: 115 inches
Boards are accepted only when space is available, and come with a fee of $100-120 each way. They will be accepted on a space available basis only and should be registered at time of booking by contacting Air Canada Reservations. Board bags can be no longer than 115 inches in length and 24 inches in width.
Air Emirates
Fee: Free | Length limit: 118 linear inches
Board bags count free as checked baggage, as long as they weigh less than 50 pounds and have a combined measurement of less than 118 linear inches, anything else incurs a fee or may not be accepted.
Air Emirates Unusual Baggage Info
Air France
Fee: $75-150 | Length limit: 118 inches
For board bags between 42 and 118 inches, you can expect to pay between $75-150, depending on your destination. You will need prior approval from customer service no later than 48 hours before your flight, so make sure to call ahead. If you somehow have a board bag measuring under 42 inches, it counts as regular checked baggage and is free with your ticket.
Air France Special Baggage Info
Air India
Fee: $23 – $42 | Length limit: 118 linear inches
Board bags count as your sole piece of checked baggage, but Air India will charge a handling fee of up to $42, depending on your destination. Bags’ combined measurement must come in under 118 linear inches. Nothing heavier than 71 pounds.
Air India Special Baggage Info
Air New Zealand
Fee: $0-$150 | Length limit: 98 Inches
Board bags are free and count as your checked baggage if they come in under 77 inches and weigh less than 50 pounds. The airline will accept longer bags for an overweight baggage fee of $150. Board bags can’t exceed 98 inches or 70 pounds.
Air New Zealand Excess Baggage Charges
Air Tahiti Nui
Fee: Free | Length limit: 98 inches
Air Tahiti Nui allows one board bag free, in addition to your regular checked bag. Board bags can contain more than one surfboard, but are subject to overweight fees if they exceed 50 pounds. Call ahead to secure your spot, though, as acceptance is contingent on the type of aircraft, the weight and dimensions of your board bag, and your frequent flyer status. Board bags can’t exceed 98 inches or 70 pounds.
Air Tahiti Sports Equipment Info
Alaska Airlines
Fee: $35-45 | Length limit: 115 inches
Alaska treats board bags as regular checked baggage, which they charge up to $35-45 for. Board bags can contain two boards, but can’t exceed 115 inches in length. If your flight is on a 737 or Airbus aircraft the length limit is 115 inches. However, on flights 2000-2999 and 3330-3499 the maximum combined dimensions may not exceed 115 linear inches. Board bags exceeding 50 pounds will incur an overweight fee.
Alaska Airlines Special Baggage Info
American Airlines
Fee: $35-45 | Length limit: 43 inches-115 linear inches
For board bags, American charges standard checked baggage fees, as long as the item doesn’t exceed 50 pounds. Size limit is a total of 115 linear inches. However, additional restrictions may apply based on destination (for instance, if you’re traveling from Madrid, you can’t check anything with any side over 43 inches in length). No baggage can exceed 100 pounds.
American Airlines Special Items And Sports Equipment Information
Asiana Airlines
Fee: Free | Length limit: 114 inches
The airline will allow a checked board bag for free if it doesn’t exceed 50 pounds for economy travelers, or 70 pounds for business travelers. Overweight bags will be charged an excess bag fee of up to $400 depending on your destination and ticket class. Nothing can exceed 114 inches.
Asiana Airlines Special Items Info
Avianca
Fee: $22-115 | Length limit: 144 inches
You can check in a bag with up to three surfboards for a fee that varies based on your route. The bag can’t exceed 70 pounds, and can’t be longer than 145 linear inches in total length. Avianca requires notification 48 hours in advance for sports equipment.
Avianca’s Special Baggage Info
British Airways
Fee: Varies | Length limit: 74 inches
British Airways allows surfboards to be checked as regular baggage, as long as the bag doesn’t exceed 74 inches in length. However, they expressly forbid you from packing clothing and other personal items in the same bag. Larger boards and anything heavier than 51 pounds must be booked as cargo for a variable fee of at least $100.
British Airways Sports Equipment Info
Cathay Pacific Airways
Fee: Varies | Length limit: 62 inches
A surfboard can be checked as one piece of baggage under your checked baggage allowance, but only if it is under 62 inches in length. Anything over 62 inches in length or 50 pounds in weight will result in additional charges, based on your route.
Cathay Pacific Air Baggage Policies
China Airlines
Fee: Varies | Up to $270 each way
The airline requires you to call ahead for the booking of all sports equipment. There is no length limit on surfboard bags, but you could be charged an excess baggage fee if it is over a weight limit that depends on your ticket class. They will not accept anything over 100 pounds.
China Airlines Sports Equipment Info
COPA
Fee: $50 -$150 | Length Limit: 115 linear inches
COPA allows up to three boards per passenger, packed in the same case. Board bags cost $50 domestic, or $100 each way international. ConnectMiles Prefer Members and Star Alliance Gold Passengers pay $150 if they exceed their allowed pieces of their free baggage allowance. The max weight for board bags is 100 pounds and the maximum total length of 115 linear inches. Surfboards must be reserved at the time of ticket purchase or 48 hours before flight departure by calling ahead. You have to remove your fins when you pack the board.
COPA Airlines Sports Luggage Info
Delta Air Lines
Fee: Varies | Lenth Limit: 115 linear inches
Delta allows passengers to bring a board bag as as part of your standard checked bag allowance, for which the fee varies based on your status. You’ll incur overweight baggage fees if your board bag is over 50 pounds. Nothing over 100 pounds or 115 linear inches will be accepted.
Delta Special Baggage Item Info
Finnair
Fee: Varies | Length limit: Limit: 83 inches
Surfboards with a maximum length of 83 inches and a maximum weight of 50 pounds are considered one piece of special baggage. For that, the price is the same as for extra checked baggage, and varies, depending on your route. Board bags that exceed 83 inches by 24 inches by 16 inches incur a cost of $156 each way for flights within Finland and Europe, and $313 each way for flights to or from North America, Asia, and the Middle East.
Know your limits. Photo: Dakine
Frontier Airlines
Fee: Varies | Length Limit: 118 inches
The fee will depend on the fare associated with your trip, and your final destination, but the airline will accept your board bag as long as its length is less than 180 inches and it weighs less than 99.9 pounds.
Hawaiian Airlines
Fee: $0-40 | Length Limit: 115 linear inches
Surfboards are accepted as a standard checked bag with special size and weight allowances. Overweight baggage fees apply for anything over 50 pounds, and board bags can not exceed 100 pounds or 115 linear inches.
Hawaiian Airlines Surfboard Info
Iberia
Fee: $60-$150 | Length limit: 98 inches
Spain’s flag carrier charges a flat fee of $150 for a single board bag, unless you’re flying out of Brazil, in which case you’ll pay $60. The airline won’t accept any equipment bags with a total length longer than 98 inches. Passengers must call the airline to confirm board bags at least 24 hours in advance.
JetBlue
Fee: $35-70 | Length limit: None listed
Board bags count as checked bags, and incur standard checked bag fees of up to $70, contingent on the fare associated with your ticket, and whether or not you check your bag online beforehand. They’re exempt from the standard size requirements, so you won’t have to pay oversize fees. You will, however, have to pay an overweight bag fee if your board bag exceeds 50 pounds. No bags weighing over 99 pounds will be accepted. Surfboards are not accepted on flights to/from Bermuda, Haiti, Peru, Port of Spain, Santo Domingo and Santiago, Dominican Republic.
KLM
Fee: Varies | Length limit: 118 inches
Board bags are free unless you’re traveling to or from Canada, Mexico, or the United States, in which case additional fees may apply. For bags longer than 42 inches, the airline requires a board bag reservation. Nothing longer than 118 inches will be accepted.
LOT Polish Airlines
Fee: Free | Length limit: none listed
Board bags count as sports equipment and are included as part of your free checked bag allowance. Nothing over 71 pounds will be accepted.
Lufthansa
Fee: Varies | Length limit: 124 inches
Sports equipment can be counted as part of your free baggage, provided that the number of items and the weight do not exceed the free baggage allowance for your travel class. However, you do need to provide Lufthansa 72 hours notice. If you’ve already used up your baggage allowance, short boards and long boards can also be checked as additional sports baggage, which incurs variable fees based on your destination.
Lufthansa Sports Baggage and Special Baggage Info
Malaysia Airlines
Fee: Varies | Length limit: Unspecified
Any bags with combined lengths of over 62 linear inches, or weighing more than 70 pounds, are considered oversized and may be subject to additional fees. Call the airline in advance for more details.
Malaysia Airlines Special Baggage Info
Qantas Airways
Fee: Free | Length limit 109 inches
Boards are free as part of Qantas’ checked baggage allowance. Board bags can’t exceed 70 pounds in weight or 109 inches in length. The airline specifies that fins must be removed, placed in a bag compartment or taped to the board. Boards exceeding length or weight limits must be sent as freight for an undisclosed fee.
Southwest Airlines
Fee: $0-$75 | Length limit: None
Board bags count as one of the two checked bags included in the airline’s free checked bag allowance.. There are no length and width restrictions, but if the surfboard bag exceeds 50 pounds in weight, it will incur an overweight baggage fee of $75 per item each way. Boards will only be accepted with a limited release of liability.
Southwest Sports Equipment Info
Spirit Airlines
Fee: $100 | Length limit: None
The airline accepts surfboards for a special charge of $100, and allows up to two boards per board bag. The airline’s standard checked bag length and weight limits don’t apply to board bags, but they won’t take anything heavier than 100 pounds.
Thai Airways International
Fee: Varies | Length limit: Not Specified
Thai Airways accepts boards for an excess charge that varies both on the total length of your bag and your route. Board bags over 78 inches will incur additional fees.
Thai Airways Special Baggage Info
United Airlines
Fee: $200 (except California) | Length limit: 115 Linear Inches
United allows surfboards if they’re packed in board bags that weigh less than 100 pounds and have a total length less than 115 linear inches (80 inches if flying United Express). You’ll have to pay an oversized bag charge of up to $200.
If you’re flying to or from California, the airline waives oversized bag charges for surfboards (although layovers and connections don’t count). Call in advance though, as some United flights have extra bag limits, and if that’s the case for your flight, your surfboard won’t be accepted (unless you’re flying to Costa Rica).
United Airlines Sports Equipment Info
Virgin Atlantic
Fee: Varies | Length limit: 75 inches
You can check a board bag free in lieu of your regular checked baggage. The bag can’t be larger than 75 inches by 30 inches by 26 inches and cannot exceed 50 pounds in weight. If your bag is between 50 and 70 pounds, there’s an overweight baggage charge. If your bag is over 70 pounds, the airline points you to Virgin Atlantic Cargo.
