Spending a ridiculous amount of money on surfboard bag fees isn’t a great feeling. Most traveling surfers have probably had this painstaking thought at least once in their life: “What?! It’s going to cost me $300+ to get my boards there and back! I could buy a new board for that!”
The bad news: board bag fees are hard to avoid when traveling with surfboards.
The good news: we’ve researched and sorted through the board bag fees of over 35 airlines to help you keep as much money in your pocket as possible.
In an effort to combat the most annoying part of surf travel planning, we’ve conveniently organized and color-coded airlines into three sections based on their board bag fees: Best, Tolerable, and Worst. This way, you can review the best and the worst airlines for surf travel and factor that into your surf trip equation before you book your flights.
In the case of surfboard bag fees, it pays to do your research. Airlines are always randomly changing their policies, so in addition to reviewing this list, always be sure to call the airline and confirm their latest fees. One time we had confirmed reasonable board bag fees on an airline’s website, only to learn when we checked in that they supposedly had a fee change and hadn’t updated their website yet with their new #$@&%*! astronomical fees. It was criminal (*cough* Fiji Airways).
It’s also good to note that some airlines give you a discount if you pre-pay the baggage charge before you get to the airport.
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Hopefully, this guide will help you avoid overspending on surfboard bag fees so you can spend that money on better things for your surf trip, like a new surfboard.
*NOTE: Most airlines’ sporting equipment guidelines are overly complicated, confusing, and downright terrible. We’ve included a link in the details section of each airline that will take you directly to their excess baggage details so you can read the small print. We always recommend you double-check the information below, and also call in and confirm with the airline directly.
It’s also good to note that airlines frequently change policies. We’ll try to keep this list as updated as possible, but always check the website and call to confirm. For example, Virgin Atlantic used to have one of the best policies, and they recently changed their policy entirely for the worse. Bummer.
ON LINEAR INCHES: We can’t stress this enough. If an airline claims to accept surfboards up to 118 linear inches and 99 lbs, you might think to yourself, “linear inches” that sounds like a straight line, right? So I should be good to travel with a 9’8″ surfboard bag. NOT THE CASE. Linear inches is the sum of length + width + height, so you always should triple crunch the numbers, and perhaps even call to confirm the specifics with the airline directly. 118 linear inches, which is 9’8″ inches in a straight line, is actually only 6’5″ long if say your surfboard bag is say 79 + 24 + 12, which would be pretty common dimensions for a fully packed shortboard bag. That said, you might find that some airline employees could care less about these rules (which is why some people who maybe didn’t know how linear inches work can get lucky) while most employees are hardcore rule enforcers with zero flexibility, in which case your surfboards will be denied.
BEST SURFBOARD BAG FEES
| AIRLINE | FEES | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Aegean Airlines 833-732-8158 | $Free – $87 | Items under 70 lbs face no extra charges, but those over 6’6” incur an $87 fee. Oversized but within weight limit baggage may face additional charges ranging from 35 EUR to 80 EUR. For items exceeding weight limits, cargo charges apply. Additional details on Aegean Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Aer Lingus 516-622-4222 | Free / $45 – $56 | Free and may count as checked baggage to and from North America if under 50 lbs and 9’0″. No charge if you’re in Business Class. One board per passenger. Normal excess baggage rates apply if you carry in excess to this maximum allowance. On Aer Lingus regional flights, the length allowance is only 6’5″. Additional details on Aer Lingus surfboard bag fees. |
| AeroFlot 866-879-76467 | Free | AeroFlot requires approval for luggage exceeding 6’6” and requests notification 36 hours before departure. Your free baggage allowance includes up to two surfboards, three sets of fins, and one wetsuit. Ensure your bag stays under 50lbs to avoid additional fees. Additional details on AeroFlot surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Asia 844-727-4588 | Most flights will run about $18 if you book online | Per bag one way. Your surfboard must be packed in a recognized surfboard bag and does not exceed 277 cm /109 inches ( about 9’2″) in length. Note: Kiteboards and bodyboards are classified as surfboards. Additional details on Air Asia surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Astana +7 (717) 258 44 77 | $17 – $27 | Air Astana charges additional baggage fees for surfboards exceeding 5 kg in weight and 140 cm in length. They charge $17 for domestic flights, $25 for International flights departing from Kazakhstan, and $27 for all other international flights departing from other countries. Air Astana also limits you to one board per bag. Additional details on Air Astana surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Corsica 082-535-3535 | Free | Air Corsica allows surfboards for free if under 50 lbs and 9’8″. Exceeding the limit incurs standard excess baggage fees. Additional details on Air Corsica surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Emirates 800-777-3999 | Free / Varies | Emirates will accept sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance. Baggage allowance is 2 pieces. Economy Maximum Dimensions (length + width + height) cannot exceed 118 inches (300 cm). The maximum baggage weight for Economy Class Passengers is 50 lb/23 kg. Additional details on Air Emirates surfboard bag fees. |
| Air India 888-634-1407 | Free | Surfboarding equipment can be included in your free checked baggage allowance. Each passenger is permitted one “kit,” though it’s unclear whether this refers to one surfboard or one surfboard bag containing multiple boards. Additional details on Air India surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Macau 853-8396-5555 | Free | Surfboards are allowed as part of your checked baggage, as long as they’re under 70lbs and 6’6″ in length. Oversized bags must be shipped as cargo. Additional details on Air Macau surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Namibia 264-612-996-333 | Free | Free as part of your checked baggage. Boards must measure under 6’5″ in length and weigh less than 50lbs. Additional details on Air Namibia surfboard bag fees. |
| Air New Zealand 800-262-1234 | Free / NZD $150 | No charge if less than 6′ 5″ in length and less than 50 pounds. Can have multiple boards as long as bag stays within stated weight and dimension limits. Sporting items exceeding 6.5 feet but less than 8.2 feet in length may still be accepted but are subject to oversized item charges. Maximum weight restriction of 70 pounds per item. Overweight charges for US travel are about $150. More details on Air New Zealand surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Serbia 718-725-8642 | Free | Surfboards under 11’6″ and 33 lbs are free of charge as part of your checked baggage allowance. Additional details on Air Serbia surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Tahiti Nui 877-824-4846 | Free | Air Tahiti Nui allows one free sports equipment item on its operated flights in addition to your normal free checked baggage. All depends on the cabin of travel, frequent flyer status, weight, and dimensions of luggage. Additional details on Air Tahiti Nui surfboard baggage fees. |
| AirCalin 800-380-6541 | Free | Free as part of their checked baggage allowance. Boards must be under 9’8″ (116 inches) in length and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Additional details on AirCalin surfboard bag fees. |
| Alaska Airlines 800-252-7522 | $35 – $45 | Each way. Alaska charges surfboard bags the same fee as normal checked baggage, provided each piece is properly packed in a case designed specifically for the equipment. One surfboard bag is defined as one case with up to two boards inside. Flights on a 737 or Airbus aircraft the equipment may measure a maximum 115″ (9 ft., 7 in.) in length alone. For flights 2000-2999 and 3330-3499 the maximum combined dimensions may not exceed 115″ (linear inches = length + width + height). Additional details on Alaska Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| All Nippon Airways (ANA) 800-235-9262 | Free | Surfboards under 9’5″ and 50 lbs fly free as part of your checked luggage allowance. Additional details on ANA surfboard bag fees. |
| Asiana Airlines 800-227-4262 | Free / Varies | Excess baggage fee or excess weight fee may apply if surfboard bag exceeds the free baggage allowance. Surfboard equipment must be securely packed in a surfboard bag to ensure safe transport. Additional details on Asiana Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Azerbaijan Airlines 844-598-8880 | $85 – $160 | For European destinations (France, Czech Republic, Italy, Germany, and Great Britain), surfboard bag fees amount to $85. Traveling to destinations in the USA and China incurs a fee of $160 for surfboard transportation. Additional details on Azerbaijan Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Azores Airlines (+351) 296 288 631 | Free / $25 | Sports equipment allowance depends on your fare, with surfboards limited to 50 lbs and 7’8″. Excess baggage incurs a fee of 25 EUR per piece. Additional details on Azores Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Bahamas Air 800-222-4262 | $25 – $150 | Treated as a checked bag (first bag is $25). Each checked bag must not exceed 62 inches (157.48 cm) in dimensions (length + breadth + height) & 50 pounds (22.73 kilos) in weight. Bags greater than 50 lbs (23 kilos) & 62 inches will run from $75-$150 depending on length and weight. Bags greater than 70 lbs are not accepted. Additional information on Bahamas Air surfboard bag fees. |
| Bangkok Airways 866-BANGKOK-222-4565 | Free | Surfboards under 9 feet can travel for free as part of your checked baggage allowance. Surfboards must not exceed 109 inches (277 cm) for Airbus and 170 cm for AT72. Limitations: one surfboard for AT72 and three surfboards for Airbus. Additional details on Bangkok Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| British Airways 800-247-9297 | Free / $100 | Accepts surfboards as checked baggage providing they do not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and are packed in a recognized bag or case to safeguard against damage. The bag containing the board can be up to a maximum size of 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in). Bags weighing more than 23kg (51lb) may incur a heavy bag charge of about $100. Additional details on British Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Brussels Airlines 800-401-1801 | Free | Brussels Airlines permits surfboards as checked luggage with fees varying by destination: $90 within Europe, $115 to Egypt, Israel, and Morocco, $170 to select African countries, $230 to Angola, Burundi, Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, United States (East Coast), and Canada (East Coast), and $80 for intra-Africa flights. Additional details on Brussels Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Corsair 888-222-4346 | Free | Free within the standard checked baggage allowance. Just ensure your board weighs less than 50 lbs and measures under 9’8″ in length to qualify. Additional details on Corsair surfboard bag fees. |
| Delta Airlines 800-221-1212 | Free / Varies | Delta allows surfboards to fly for free as part of your checked baggage allowance as long as it fit within their weight and height restrictions. Overweight baggage fees apply to bags that exceed 50 lbs and bags cannot exceed 115 linear in/292 cm. Important note: Surfboards over 72 inches in length are not allowed on Delta Connection carrier flights. |
| Edelweiss 669-272-1225 | Free / Varies | Surfboards under 10 feet and weighing up to 50lbs travel free as your first piece of sports equipment on all flights. Register sports equipment online up to 4 days before departure. For additional sports equipment, standard luggage fees apply. Additional details on Edelweiss surfboard bag fees. |
| Etiad Airways 877-690-0767 | Free | Free if your surfboards under 9’8″ long and 70lbs. However, like most airlines, they do not assume responsibility for any damages to your surfboard. Ensure proper packing for protection during travel. Additional details on Etiad Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Eva Air 800-695-1188 | Free | Free if your surfboard is under 50lbs and 109 linear inches. You can bring up to two boards per bag, but make sure to inform Eva Air when purchasing your ticket. If your boards exceed size limits, they may be accepted based on cargo hold space availability, subject to excess baggage fees. Additional details on Eva Air surfboard bag fees. |
| Garuda Indonesia 0811 2807 807 | Free | Surfboards can be checked in free as part of your checked luggage. Must not exceed 50 lbs and 9’8″ in length. Additional details on Garuda Indonesia surfboard bag fees. |
| Gulf Air 800-221-1212 | Free | Gulf Air allows surfboards to be checked in as standard luggage if they meet size restrictions. Most flights accept bags under 9’8″ and 50 lbs for free, with up to two boards per bag. Note: Surfboards over 72 inches are not allowed on Gulf Connection flights, so be cautious when traveling on smaller planes. Additional details on Gulf Air surfboard bag fees. |
| IndiGo 7428081281 | $18 – $36 | Surfboards are allowed on IndiGo flights for a small fee. For domestic flights you will be charged $18 and for international flights you will be charged $36.These fees are additional to any Excess Baggage charges. Additional details on IndiGo surfboard bag fees. |
| Jeju Air 1599-1500 | $20 | Surfboards are permitted for a $20 fee with no specified size or weight restrictions. Additional details on Jeju Air surfboard bag fees. |
| Jet2 +44 (0) 203 059 8336 | Free | Surfboards weighing up to 48lbs are permitted on Jet2 airlines, with no additional fees. They count towards your baggage allowance. Additional details on Jet2 surfboard bag fees. |
| JetBlue 800-538-2583 | Free | Free as part of your checked allowance weighing no more than 50 lbs. Only one surfboard per case. No surfboards allowed on flights to/from Bermuda, Haiti, Peru, Port of Spain, Santo Domingo, and Santiago. Additional details on JetBlue surfboard bag fees. |
| Jetstar 866-397-8170 | $15 – $19 | Each way. For Jetstar flights, oversized items like surfboards incur a handling fee if any side exceeds 39 inches. Each passenger can bring up to two oversized items, with fees ranging from $15 to $19 depending on the flight destination. Ensure no single bag exceeds 70lbs; otherwise, it must be sent as freight. Max length for Jetstar Airways, Jetstar Asia, and Jetstar Japan flights is 7’6″, while other international Jetstar Airways flights allow up to 9 feet in length. Additional details on Jetstar surfboard bag fees. |
| Jin Air 82-1600-6200 | $10 | Surfboards must not exceed 70lbs or 109 inches (9 feet) in total dimension. Packaging is crucial as no compensation is provided for damages incurred during transport. Additional details on Jin Air surfboard bag fees. |
| KLM Royalty Dutch Airlines 800-618-0104 | Free | KLM allows free checked surfboards under 9’8″ and 51lbs. Additional fees apply for travelers from the US, Canada, and Mexico, depending on itinerary. It’s recommended to call at least 48 hours in advance to secure board space. Additional details on KLM surfboard bag fees. |
| Korean Air 800-438-5000 | Free / $200 | Included as checked baggage. Must be under 50 lbs and/or 9’0″ and you should not incur an oversize fee. If you’re over your bag limit, it’s $200 from the Americas (to Brazil from US is $75; to Brazil from Asia is $175). ***Exception (when traveling with domestic flights) : If the surfboard is over 158cm (62inch), an oversize fee will be incurred of $75-$200. Additional details on Korean Air surfboard bag fees. |
| La Compagnie 800-218-8187 | Free | LA Compagnie allows one free surfboard per passenger, in addition to standard checked baggage, with size and weight restrictions of 70lbs and 9’8”. Ensure compliance to avoid check-in issues. Additional details on La Compagnie surfboard bag fees. |
| LATAM Airlines 866-435-9526 | Free / $60 – $195 | Free as part of your checked allowance weighing no more than 23 kgs. If beyond your baggage allowance, excess baggage fees depend on departure/destination. For domestic flights within specific South American countries, fees range from US$ 40 to R$ 200. International flight fees vary from US$ 65 to US$ 150, depending on the route. These fees apply per surfboard, each way. Additional details on LATAM Airlines surfboard bag fees can be found here. |
| Lufthansa 800-645-3880 | Free / $92 – $460 | Included as part of your baggage allowance depending on the service class. Must be less than 70 lbs and/or 6’5″. If you exceed your allowance or it’s not included in your service class, for boards up to 200cm (6’5”): $92 for routes within Europe, and $172 – $287 for shorter to longer intercontinental flights (each way). For boards between 200 – 315 cm (6’5” – 10’3”): $149 for routes within Europe, and $287 – $460 for shorter to longer intercontinental flights (each way). You need to register sports baggage at least 24 hours before the flight. Additional details on Lufthansa surfboard bag fees. |
| Malaysia Airlines 800-552-9264 | Free / $15 – $140 | As part of your checked baggage allowance, and will be subject to excess baggage charges if overweight. One board per person. Max length is 8′. If it is in excess of your allowance, there is a zone-based weight system in which fees vary from $15-$140 per 6.5 lbs depending on location. Additional details on Malaysia Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Middle East Airlines 00961 1 629999 | Free | Allows one item of sports equipment free of charge if it weighs less than 50 lbs. Additional equipment under 50 lbs will incur a $200 fee. Specific size restrictions are not listed, so contact the airline for details. Additional details on Middle East Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Norwegian Airlines +47 2149 00 15 | $38 – $63 | Each way. Fees are $38 if purchased online, and $63 if purchased at the airport. Surfboards must be under 50 lbs and 98″x31″x44″. Additional details on Norwegian Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Peach Aviation 81 3-6731-924 | $35 – $42 | Peach Aviation charges $35 for surfboards when purchasing luggage online and $42 at the ticket counter. Surfboards must be under 7’2″ and 44 lbs. You can pack up to two boards per bag. Additional details on Peach Aviation surfboard bag fees. |
| Pegasus 0090 850 250 67 77 | $12 – $60 | For domestic flights, you can bring your surfboard for a straightforward $12 fee, while international flights incur a $60 charge. However, Pegasus doesn’t provide clear information on size or weight restrictions. If you’re traveling with a standard shortboard, you can typically proceed to the airport without issue. Additional details on Pegasus surfboard bag fees. |
| Porter Airlines 888-619-8622 | Free | Surfboard bags weighing over 70 pounds or exceeding 6’6” in length will not be accepted. Those within these limits can be checked for free within your baggage allowance. Additional details on Porter Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Qantas 800-227-4500 | Free – $200 | Free as part of your checked baggage. Must be in a bag and may not exceed 70 lbs and 9 ft. If it’s beyond your baggage allowance, excess fees apply depending on the place of departure/destination. Between Australia and America is $200. Additional details on Qantas surfboard bag fees. |
| Royal Brunei +673 2212222 | Free | Boards must not exceed 9’8” in length and should weigh no more than 70 lbs. Ensure your surfboard is within these dimensions to avoid additional fees. Additional details on Royal Brunei surfboard bag fees. |
| RyanAir 44 871 246 0002 | €55 online / €65 at the airport | Large sports equipment (does not define any dimension restrictions on web). Fee charged per item per one way flight. Maximum weight of 20 kg. Additional details on RyanAir surfboard bag fees. |
| S7 Airlines 8 800 700–0707 | Free | Surfboards can travel for free on S7 Airlines if they stay within the measurement limits. However, boards exceeding 203 linear centimeters (6’6”) or 50 pounds may be denied as baggage. Additional details on S7 Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Scandinavian Airlines 800-221-2350 | Free | Free if your board is under 6’6″ and 50lbs. Larger boards require advance registration and may incur fees. Registering larger surfboards 14 days before departure secures the most economical fare. Additional details on Scandinavian Airlines surfboard bag fees. Important note: Surfboards and kite surfing equipment are not permitted onboard smaller aircraft types AR8/AT7/CRK/CR9/DH4. |
| Silver Airways 801-401-9100 | $30 – $50 | Silver Airways charges a checked bag service charge of $30-$50 for surfboard bags under 50 lbs and 115 linear inches. For bags over this weight and size, an additional $100 handling fee applies on top of the checked bag service charge. Additional details on Silver Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Singapore Air 800-742-3333 | Free / $150 – $225 | As part of your checked bag allowance. After that, additional baggage is either $150 or $225 depending on destination. Only one board per person. Any item above 32 kg (70 lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and may have to be re-packed or sent as cargo. each item should not exceed 200cm + 75cm + 80cm in dimension. Additional details on Singapore Air surfboard bag fees. |
| South African Airways 800-722-9675 | Free / Varies | Only one board and it must not exceed 7’2” (200 cm) and 50 lbs. Larger boards must go as cargo. If larger than 200 cm, the bag is to be accepted strictly as cargo, relevant cargo rates will apply. Additional details on South African Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Spring Airlines +8621 95524 | $27 – $55 | Spring Airlines accepts surfboards with dimensions within 9 feet in length and 126 inches in total. Board bags must weigh under 66 lbs to avoid overweight fees. A handling fee of $27 applies for domestic flights within Japan, while international flights incur a $55 fee. Additional details on Spring Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| SWISS 833-626-0737 | Free | SWISS allows complimentary transport of sports equipment within your baggage allowance limits. However, exceeding these limits in terms of number of items or weight per item will incur an additional fee. Board bags exceeding 70lbs or 11’6” will not be approved for transport. Additional details on SWISS surfboard bag fees. |
| TUI Airways +4420 38 303 111 | $35 – $41 | TUI Airways charges $35 for surfboards to/from Mainland Spain, Balearics, Portugal, Italy, France, Finland, Switzerland, Iceland, and Austria. For flights to/from the Canary Islands, Greece, Turkey, and other listed destinations, the fee is $38. Long-haul flights over 7 hours incur a $41 fee. Ensure your board bag is under 50 lbs and call ahead to register your space. Additional details on TUI Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Turkish Airlines 800-874-8875 | $12 – $65 | Turkish Airlines accepts surfboards up to 9’6″ in length and 24 inches wide. For domestic flights, the fee is $12. International flight fees vary by itinerary, ranging from $33 to $65. Additional details on Turkish Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Ural Airlines +7 (499) 920 2252 | Free / Varies | Ural Airlines allows two surfboards as part of your free baggage allowance, provided the board bag does not exceed 50 lbs. Excess/oversized baggage fees apply if the weight limit is surpassed. Board bags exceeding 138 inches in total dimensions or 7’2″ in length are not permitted. Additional details on Ural Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Vietnam Airlines +84-24 38272289 | Free | Allows surfboards up to 8’2” and 50lbs as part of your checked baggage allowance, free of charge. Ensure proper packing and contact the airline for reservations at least 24 hours before departure. Additional details on Vietnam Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Virgin Australia 855-253-8021 | Free | Allows surfboards as part of your checked baggage allowance, free of charge, provided they weigh under 50 pounds (23 kg). Additional details on Virgin Australia surfboard bag fees |
| Vistara +91-124-4736181 | Free | Vistara allows checked baggage exceeding 158 cm (length + depth + height) for an additional fee. Surfboards might be subject to a flat $24 charge if exceeding 5’1”. Contact the airline beforehand to avoid complications. Additional details on Vistara surfboard bag fees. |
| Vivaaerobus 866-359-8482 | Free | Surfboards are allowed as checked baggage, packed in rigid cases weighing under 71 lbs and not exceeding 126 linear inches. While extra charges aren’t mentioned, be prepared for potential fees at the ticket counter. Additional details on Vivaaerobus surfboard bag fees. |
TOLERABLE SURFBOARD BAG FEES
| AIRLINE | FEES | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Aero Mexico 800-237-6639 | $75 – $150 | One-way within Mexico $75 USD. International flight $150. Fee is per case; up to 3 boards per case. Max length on a narrow-body cabin is 6’6″. Max length on a wide-body cabin is 9’5″. Max weight is 70 lbs. Additional detail on Aero Mexico surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Austral +33 825 01 30 12 | €55 – €110 | Surfboards are welcome on Air Austral flights with a fee of €55 for one-way travel or €110 for round-trip journeys. Ensure your surfboard does not exceed 118 linear inches to avoid additional charges. Additional information on Air Austral surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Baltic 371-67-006-006 | €39.99 – €75 | Surfboard fees range from €39.99 to €75, depending on how you book. Purchase via their website for the lowest fee, €39.99. Buying from other vendors may cost up to €44.99 online or €45 through agencies. Airport purchases incur a €75 fee. Remember, these fees apply each way. Keep your board bag under 50lbs to avoid extra charges. Additional details on Air Baltic surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Canada 888-247-2262 | $100 | Surfboards are subject to a $100.00 CA/US handling fee (plus applicable taxes). The fee is charged for one-way flights and for each way of travel on round-trip and multi-segment flights. The maximum length is 292 cm (115 in), and the maximum width is 60 cm (24 in). Boards are accepted as checked baggage on a space-available basis only so call ahead. Additional details on Air Canada surfboard bag fees. |
| Air France 800-237-2747 | $75 – $150 | Each way. Surfboards great than 3’5″ and less than 6’5″ in dimensions will now be charged as a “specialty” item, the same charges as applicable for surfboards greater than 6’5″ will apply. Board less than 3’5″ in dimensions can continue to be checked in as a “normal” bag i.e. part of the ticketed baggage allowance. Additional details on Air France surfboard bag fees. |
| Air India Express 91 809-504-4811 | Varies | Air India Express imposes a “special equipment handling fee” for surfboards. Though specific fees aren’t disclosed, discussions on Reddit suggest around $6 per kilogram for excess baggage. Make sure to inquire about the fee specifics based on your location and destination when booking your flight. Additional details on Air Inda Express surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Mauritius +230 2077575 | $55 – $163 | Fees vary based on your departure and destination. Charges can range from $55 to $163. For accurate pricing tailored to your specific location and travel plans, more information on Air Mauritius surfboard bag fees. |
| Alitalia Airways 390-665-649 | $65 – $140 | Alitalia allows sports equipment, including surfboards, on its flights for an additional fee. Items must not exceed 300 cm (length + width + height) and 23 kg in weight. Fees for pre-paid online bookings are $65 for domestic and international flights, and $110 for intercontinental flights. At the airport, the fees are $85 and $140. Additional details on Alitalia Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| American Airlines 800-433-7300 | $35 / Varies | Standard checked bag fees up to 50 lbs (23 kg) apply, with the first bag costing $40 ($35 online) and the second $45 when traveling within or between the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The maximum linear size for sports equipment (length + width + height) is 115 in / 292 cm, which is suitable for most shortboards but may be restrictive for longboards. For travel from Madrid, Spain (MAD), no side of a checked item can exceed 43 in / 110 cm. Additional details on American Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Avianca 800-284-2622 | $25 – $100 | You can check the first bag (paying the respective fee) as part of your baggage and take a maximum of three boards in one bag per passenger with a maximum weight of 32 kg (70 lbs.) and up to 3.7 meters (12 feet) long. Do yourself a favor and check out all of the rules, restrictions, and details before booking your flight. Additional details on Avianca surfboard bag fees. |
| Cathay Pacific 800-233-2742 | Free / Varies | One surfboard (up to 158 cm / 62 in length) can be included as part of your checked baggage. Standard weight limitations apply. Your baggage allowance is measured either by piece (PC) or weight (K). Overweight charge applies for items over 23 kg/50 lbs (up to 32 kg/70 lbs), and oversize charge applies for items over 158 cm/62 in (up to 203 cm/80 in). Additional details on Cathay Airlines surfboard bag fees. Additional details on Cathy Pacific surfboard bag fees. |
| CEBU Pacific Air 612-9119-2956 | Varies | Surfboards can be checked as luggage, but you’ll need to buy a “Prepaid Baggage or Sports Equipment Allowance.” Exact fees aren’t listed, likely because they vary depending on your itinerary. Additional details on Cebu Pacific Air surfboard bag fees. |
| Condor 866-960-7915 | €49.99 – €120.00 | Condor Airlines offers surfboard check-in for € 49.99 when pre-purchased or $€ 120.00 if bought at the airport. Boards must be under 9’8″ and 66lbs each, with a limit of two per passenger. Additional details on Condor surfboard bag fees. |
| Croatia Airlines 385 1 66 76 555 | €60 + 25% VAT – €120 | Within Croatia, expect a EUR 60 + 25% VAT fee; throughout Europe, EUR 120. Boards up to 11’5” are accepted. Notify Croatia Airlines when booking due to limited space Additional details on Croatia Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Czech Airlines 420 284 000 62 | €75 – Varies | €75 per board. Czech Airlines allows sports equipment as checked baggage, as long as it’s securely packed and doesn’t exceed 98 linear inches or 50 lbs. Additional details on Czech Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| EasyJet +44330 3655454 | £45 – £55 | Up to 70 lbs is £45 online or £55 at the airport. Per item, per flight. If it’s over 70 lbs, there will be additional charges. Additional details on EasyJet sports equipment policies and a separate page showing their fees and charges. |
| EgyptAir 212-581-5600 | Varies | Surfboards under 6’6″ can be transported, but they’re not part of your free checked baggage allowance. If overweight, a charge equal to 50% of the applicable excess baggage fee applies. For surfboards over 6’6″ or 66lbs, cargo shipment is required. Excess baggage fees vary based on size, weight, and location. Additional details on EgyptAir surfboard bag fees. |
| El Al 800-223-6700 | Free – $150 | No extra charge if your surfboards are up to 190 cm (6’2″), except for LITE fare tickets. Additional fees apply if you’re carrying surfboards alongside luggage: $70 per direction for Europe, Middle East, and Morocco, and $150 for Far East, North America, and South Africa. Ensure your surfboard stays within 70 pounds and 9ft dimensions. Payment is only accepted at the airport, not online. Additional details on El Al surfboard bag fees. |
| Eurowings +49 (0)221 599 882 22 | $50 – Varies | You can bring your surfboard weighing under 50lbs for a starting fee of $50 (fees may vary by location). Additional details on Eurowings surfboard bag fees. |
| Fiji Airways 679-672-0777 | FJD100 / Varies | Surfboard fees vary based on region and destination. Fiji Airways imposes an FJD100 bulky baggage fee per item. Additional details on Fiji Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Fly Dubai +971 600 54 55 45 | AED 270 | Dimensions allowed: 235 cm x 90 cm x 45 cm. Acceptance is subject to available space, so notify at least 24 hours before departure. Additional details on Fly Dubai surfboard bag fees. |
| FlyOne +971 600 54 55 45 | €60 – €120 | Per Equipment, Per Flight: €60 if registered in advance; €120 at the airport during registration. Maximum weight is 30 kg. Additional details on FlyOne surfboard bag fees. |
| Frontier Airlines 720-902-3969 | Varies | Surfboards can be checked as standard luggage with applicable standard and oversize fees, which vary by route. Boards must not exceed 99 lbs or 15 feet in length. Additional details on Frontier Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Hawaiian Airlines 800-367-5320 | $25 – $125 | Each way, per bag. As many boards as you want per bag. Max height 9’5″ (for travel within Hawaii board can be 10’9″) and max weight of 70 lbs. $25 per way between Hawaiian islands, $125 per way between North America and Hawaii, and $125 per way for most international flights. For flights between the USA and Australia/New Zealand, boards will be included in the free baggage allowance when travel is non-stop, direct and/or connecting service. Additional details on Hawaiian Airlines surfboard bag feex. |
| Helvetic Airways 888-688-8813 | CHF60 – CHF120 | Surfboards is transported free within the baggage allowance. If exceeded, a fee up to CHF 60 per item applies. For items over 150cm, a charge of CHF 120 per way is imposed. Equipment over 280cm requires prior approval. Additional details on Helvetic Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| HK Express 852-3702-7616 | $40 – $85 | Allows surfboard under 9 feet and 44lbs, but fees apply. Online purchase with your ticket costs $40, while airport purchases incur an $85 fee. Additional details on HK Express surfboard bag fees. |
| IcelandAir 800-223-5500 | $83 – $116 | IcelandAir allows a maximum of 4 surfboards on international flights and 2 on domestic and Greenland flights. Fees vary: $83 to Europe from Iceland, $99 to/from USA and Canada, and $116 to/from Europe, USA, and Faroe Islands. It’s recommended to call at least 48 hours before departure to check availability. Additional details on IcelandAir surfboard bag fees. |
| Kenya Airways 866-536-9224 | $40 – $110 | Surf equipment exceeding 3’5″ in length requires prior clearance as special baggage. Items heavier than 70lbs or longer than 9’8″ cannot be checked and must be shipped as cargo. Surfboard fees depend on the route: $110 for Africa to Europe and USA, $90 for Africa to Middle East and Asia, $50 for intra-Africa, and $40 for intra-domestic flights. Additional details on Kenya Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| LOT Polish Airlines 212-789-0970 | $40 – $125 | Each way. LOT Airlines allows surfboards as checked baggage if under 70 lbs and 6’5″ in length. Fees are $40 for domestic flights, $70 for short-mid haul flights, and $125 for long-haul flights. Additional details on LOT Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Luxair +352 2456 4242 | $54 | Each way. Luxair allows surfboards to be transported for a flat fee of $54 provided they do not exceed 70 lbs. Additional details on Luxair surfboard bag fees. |
| Rex Airlines 00 61 2 6393 5550 | Varies | Surfboards are accepted within your checked baggage allowance; however, exceeding weight limits incurs excess baggage fees. Weight restrictions differ by fare type: community, saver, and promo fares are limited to 33lbs, while flex fare allows up to 50lbs. If dimensions exceed 4’6” (h + w + d), a charge of $16.50 per piece applies. Additional details on Rex Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Southwest 800-435-9792 | $75 | Each way, per bag. Part of checked baggage. Fins must be removed. Additional details on Southwest Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Sunclass Airlines +45 72 22 35 91 | $44 – $88 | Sunclass Airlines allows sports equipment like surfboards, with limited availability per flight. Call ahead to register your surfboard. Fees depend on flight duration: $44 for short-haul flights and $88 for long-haul flights. Board bags must weigh under 66 lbs. Additional details on Sunclass Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Tap Portugal 800-221-7370 | $83 – $199 | Each way. Up to 6’5″ will run about $83 for Domestic flights, Europe, Morocco, and Algeria; $162 for Intercontinental. If the board is over 6’5″ it’ll be $149 for Domestic flights, Europe, Morocco, and Algeria or $199 for International. Must be under 70 lbs. When you get to the airport, go to the check-in desk to fill out a Declaration of Transport form. Without this document or with inadequately packed equipment, TAP may refuse your surfboards. Additional details on Tap Portugal surfboard bag fees. |
| Transavia +352 27 002 728 | $56 | Each way. Transavia charges $56 per flight for surfboards. Your board bag can weigh up to 70 lbs and measure up to 11’8″. No additional items like clothes or wetsuits are allowed inside the bag. Register your surfboard with the airline before departure. Additional details on Transavia surfboard bag fees. |
| Tunisair +216 70 101 310 | Varies / $50 – $400 | Tunisair allows surfboards up to 6’6″ and 70 lbs as checked baggage. Oversize and overweight fees apply, varying between $50 and $400 based on your itinerary. Additional details on Tunisair surfboard bag fees. |
| United Airlines 800-864-8331 | $100 (Free for California) | Surfboard bag must weigh under 100 lbs and be no longer than 115 total inches (length + width + height). So you’re looking at around 6’6″ surfboard bag. Under 80 inches if on United Express. Fees for bags up to 70 lbs are up to $100 per bag, depending on the destination, while bags between 70 lbs (32 kg) and 100 lbs (45 kg) incur fees up to $200 per bag. United Airlines waives oversized bag charges for up to two items if you are flying directly to or from California, but this benefit does not apply if you have a connection or layover in California. Additional details on United Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Utair +7 (345) 229-8888 | Free / $54 | Premium and Business tariff passengers can check in one kit of sports gear, including a surfboard, wetsuit, and accessories (up to 44 lbs) for free. Minimum and Optimum tariff passengers pay $54 per leg. The kit is always checked in as a special category of baggage and payable at airport check-in. Additional details on Utair surfboard bag fees. |
| US Airways 800-428-4322 | Varies | Merged with American Airlines. Additional details on American Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Volotea +34 93 12 20 717 | $65 | To transport your surfboard with Volotea, you need to purchase special equipment handling for $65 each way and notify their Customer Care. Ensure your gear meets the maximum weight limit of 70lbs and size limit of 6’6”. Additional details on Volotea surfboard bag fees. |
| Vueling +12026958708 | $49 – $60 | Vueling allows surfboard transportation for a fee, applicable each way. Online, the charge is $49, while at the airport, it increases to $60. No specific size or weight limitations are outlined by the airline. Additional details on Vueling surfboard bag fees. |
WORST SURFBOARD BAG FEES
| AIRLINE | FEES | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Air Europa 844-415-3955 | Varies | Air Europa allows one surfboard per passenger. Fees range from $77 to $186 depending on the destination: $77 for mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, $103 for the Canary Islands, Europe, and Africa, and $155 for Miami, Santo Domingo, New York, and Punta Cana, and $186 for other international routes. Additional details on Air Europa surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Transat 877-872-6728 | $100 – $115 | Each way. One surfboard per passenger, must be under 9’7″ and 70lbs. Prepay option is available up to 72 hours before the flight for $100. Alternatively, pay $115 at the airport. Additional details on Air Transat surfboard bag fees. |
| Air Vanatu 678 20200 | Does not accept any sports equipment! | Does not allow any sports equipment including surfboards on any of their flights. Additional details on Air Vanatu surfboard bag fees. |
| Austrian Airlines 800-843-0002 | €70 – €400 | Surfboard fees vary based on board size and destination. For boards up to 2m, the charges range from €70 for domestic flights to €250 for long-haul intercontinental routes. For longer boards (2m to 3.15m), fees start at €110 domestically and go up to €400 for long-haul intercontinental flights. Each passenger is allowed one bag for boards up to 2m and two bags for longer boards, with maximum dimensions specified. Additional details on Austrian Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Bamboo Airways 8424 3233 3233 | Does not accept items over 5 feet! | Does NOT allow items over 5 feet in length. No surfboards allowed. Additional details on Bamboo Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| Cayman Airways 800-422-9626 | $95 | Per board. No size or weight restrictions are specified. Additional details on Cayman Airways surfboard bag fees. |
| China Air 800-227-5118 | Varies | Additional details on China Air surfboard bag fees. Call ahead. See the comment below for more insights from a fellow surf traveler. Dawson B. commented, “China Air charged me $150 per bag the first time and $150 per board the return” |
| Copa Airlines 800-359-2672 | $50 – $150 | On domestic flights, the surfboard fee is $50. For international flights involving Panama, the fee is $100 each way. ConnectMiles Prefer Members and Star Alliance Gold passengers pay $150 if exceeding their free baggage allowance. Reservations for board bags must be made when purchasing the ticket or at least 48 hours before the flight. Only 3 board bags are allowed per flight. Maximum weight is 100 lbs (45 kg) and maximum size is 115 linear inches (294 cm). Additional details on Copa Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Ethiopian Airlines 800-445-2733 | $200 | Ethiopian Airlines charges a flat fee of $200 for transporting surfboards, which must not exceed 3m (300 cm) in length and 50 lbs (23 kg) in weight. Additional details on Ethiopian Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| FinnAir 358 9 8180800 | €150 – €300 | Each way. Surfboards up to 210cm (83in) and 23kg (50lb) are charged as extra checked baggage. For boards exceeding these dimensions, fees are €300 to/from Asia, North America, and the Middle East, and €300 within Finland/Europe. Additional details on FinnAir surfboard bag fees. |
| French Bee 833-376-7158 | $130 – $160 | Surfboards are welcome on French Bee flights; fees are $130 if purchased online, $160 at the airport. Additional details on French Bee surfboard bag fees. |
| Hainan Airlines 888-688-8813 | 2000CNY – 4600CNY | If your board bag is under 50 lbs, you will be charged 2000CNY. For bags between 50 lbs – 70 lbs, the fee is 3600CNY, and for bags between 70 lbs – 99 lbs, the fee is 4600CNY. Fee is per piece. Additional details on Hainan Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Hong Kong Airlines 852-3916-3666 | $100 | Per board. You can bring up to two boards per bag, provided the bag remains under 6’6″ and 44lbs. Additional details on Hong Kong Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Iberia 800-772-4642 | $150 | Each way, one board per bag. No longer than 8’2″. Must give advance notice and call in the request 24 hours before flight. Different charges, taxes, or fees may apply, depending on the laws of each country. Additional details on Iberia surfboard bag fees. |
| Japan Airlines 800-525-3663 | $200 | Per bag, two boards are allowed. Call ahead. Domestic flights run $50. If flying to Asia, Guam and Oceania from Japan it’s $100. For Asia, India and Oceania to and from Hawaii, North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa it’s $200. Additional details on Japan Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Philippine Airlines 800-435-9725 | Varies | Surfboards are treated as excess baggage. If the board’s length doesn’t surpass 109 inches (277 cm), you’ll be charged 100% of the excess baggage fee. If it exceeds this length, the fee increases to 200%. Additional boards follow the same charging system. Additional details on Philippine Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Royal Air Morac 800-344-6726 | Varies – 180€ | For domestic flights, surfboard fees range from 580 MAD to 1150 MAD based on weight and size For flights to/from Europe/Maghreb, the fees are 70 € for up to 23 Kg/158 cm, 120 € for up to 32 Kg/203 cm, and 180 € for up to 32 Kg/300 cm. Additional details on Royal Air Maroc surfboard bag fees. |
| Royal Jordanian +962.6.5100000 | $110 – $2750 | Fees vary by route. Ensure your board bag stays under 50 lbs to avoid extra overweight charges. Additional details on Royal Jordanian surfboard bag fees. |
| Saudia 800-472-8342 | $100 – $167 | Saudia allows surfboards within checked baggage limits for free, but lengths over 5ft or 50 lbs incur a $100 fee. Boards exceeding 6’7” are charged $167, with longer ones requiring cargo shipment. Additional details on Saudia surfboard bag fees. |
| Spirit Airlines 855-728-3555 | $150 | Spirit Airlines accepts surfboards as checked luggage for a $150 fee, as long as they meet the weight and length restrictions: under 40 lbs and 6’6” in length. Additional items in the surfboard bag may incur extra charges. Additional details on Spirit Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| STARLUX Airlines 833-971-0012 | $150 – $400 | You can bring up to two boards per bag, but must register your surfboard 24 hours before departure. For boards under 9’6”, fees range from $150 on regional routes to $200 on long-haul routes within the US, excluding Guam. For longer boards exceeding 9’5ft, fees increase to $300 on regional routes and $400 on long-haul routes within the US, except Guam. Additional details on STARLUX Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Sun Country Airlines 651-905-2737 | $100 | Each way. Board bags exceeding 99 lbs or 63 linear inches will incur a $100 fee. Purchasing the fee at the airport will result in an additional $10 charge. Additional details on Sun Country Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Sunwing Airlines 877-786-9464 | $100 | Each way. A flat fee of $100 per item, inclusive of taxes, is applicable for all surfboards. One surfboard per passenger, with a maximum length restriction of 12 feet and weight limit of 50lbs. Additional details on Sunwing Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| TAAG Angola Airlines 244923190000 | $150 – $380 | For surfboards up to 70 lbs and within 5’2” in length, the fee is $150. For boards up to 7 feet, the fee is $380. Special transportation conditions may incur additional charges. Additional details on TAAG Angola Airlines surfboard bag fees. |
| Thai Airways 800-426-5204 | $150 | Thai Airways might take the cake now for having one of the most complicated and convoluted surfboard bag fee descriptions. One of our readers told us as of March 2018, they’re charging $150 USD per board! Ouch. The painful details are here on Thai Airways. |
| Volaris 855-865 2747 | $170 – $210 | Fees vary based on your travel route. For oversized luggage, anticipate a fee ranging from $170. Additional details on Volaris surfboard bag fees. |
| Virgin Atlantic 800-862-8621 | Does not accept bags over 190cm (6’3″) in length! | Free to bring your surfboard bag as part of your baggage allowance, but there are recent major changes to size restrictions. The baggage allowance only applies if your surfboards don’t exceed 23 kg (50 lbs) in weight and 190 cm (about 6’2”) in length. Additional details on Virgin Atlantic surfboard bag fees. |
| WestJet 888-937-8538 | $100 – $118 | WestJet accepts surfboards as checked baggage as long as they measure under 9’8” in length. Boards over 5 feet will incur oversized baggage fees, ranging from $100 to $118. Additionally, a $50 CAD handling fee applies to all sporting equipment. Additional details on WestJet surfboard bag fees. |
| Xiamen Air +86-592-5739888 | 1000 CNY – 3000 CNY | Board bags weighing under 50 lbs will incur excess baggage fees, while bags over 50 lbs will be subject to overweight and excess baggage fees. Pre-registration of surfboards with the airline is required before departure. Additional details on Xiamen Air surfboard bag fees. |
Pay attention to baggage embargos with Delta. Some routes will not allow oversized items.
I had an international business class itinerary with Singapore Airlines so no issues there, but I had a feeder leg (same itinerary and ticket booking) to SFO from LAX (or SNA, I forget) on Delta. Despite being booked First Class there, the route has a baggage embargo that does not allow surfboards (and a bunch of other oversize items).
Luckily I found out before I showed up at the airport.
American Airlines will no longer fly bags over 115 linear feet (L+w+h), this severely limits your board size.
Found that out the ridiculously hard way! Saw they had eliminated their board bag fee which I grudgingly paid on a prior Hawaii trip. Brought my board, but they measure it and said no go!
It’s 8’0 (96 inches x 28 x 3.75) They refused to take it, had no vehicle to put it in, had to leave at airport-shuttle never found it and it’s gone…$2,200 of stuff in the bag! American Airlines refuses all responsibility.
Ouch, that hurts! Sorry to hear that story. Bummer.
No more surfboard fee flying with JetBlue:
https://www.reddit.com/r/surfing/comments/1cye5m9/no_more_surfboard_fee_with_jetblue/
Thanks for sharing the update! We’ll update this today. That’s always great, the only bummer is they only allow one surfboard per case.
Great article! Just a heads up, Southwest does not count it as a checked bag unless you are going to Hawaii. I read some articles and decided to fly Southwest, just to find out they charge $75 each way for a surfboard.
Thanks for the feedback and insight! Much appreciated. We’re in the process of updating and expanding this article to include more airlines and with the latest available info as policies change from time to time.
American is one of the best. Not the worst. Boards count as checked baggage and can be free. I have flown many times 2023 and 2024 free
Thanks for sharing, Steve
Linear inches is length + width + height. Not length x width x height.
So for a surfboard bag that is 79 inches long x 24 inches wide x 12 inches deep, it is 79+24+12 linear inches, or 115 linear inches. (If we were multiplying instead of assign it’d be 22,752 cubic inches of volume.)
Yes, of course! That’s a typo, as you can see the math added up in the example, was using “x” as “by” not times, but that is definitely confusing so I changed it. Thanks for pointing that out.
Wondering if you can provide me some input on your experience with Fiji Airways? I am trying to figure out how much it will cost me to take one board with a total dimension (L + W + H) of 108 inches, which is one inch under their limit. I am also interested in what it might cost to exceed that limit and have to have it go through freight? It seems like it’s all over the place regarding their fees and restrictions. I have tied calling and emailing and each person I talk with has a different answer.
Should have clarified that this is for travel between Los Angeles and Nadi.
Hi Client, according to their baggage policy you should be good under 109 linear inches. We found that the Fiji Air employees who were operating based in Fiji were super laid back and didn’t seem to care because according to their policy our 7’6″ wouldn’t be allowed at around 126 linear inches, wouldn’t have made the cut. We got hooked up with waived fees while in Fiji where they didn’t even charge us any fees only to get screwed by Fiji flying out of Samoa or NZ, I forget, but they charged us an arm and a leg and way more than advertised on their site. So it just depends who you are dealing with I think. And you’re right, talk with 5 different people and you’ll get 5 different answers. No fun to navigate at times.
Great information and advice, thank you very much
Glad you found it helpful! You’re welcome. Cheers
Please bring the prices down
Just left on a trip to the Mentawai Islands. United Airlines turn our bags away at the gate saying they all too big. We had two bags. One had an 8.6 and a 9.0, the other bag had two boards around 6.8. We were confident we were under the 115″ limit. I researched many surf websites like this. We learned the hard way that they measure in linear feet. That’s Height+Width+ Length. If a board bag is 34″ wide and with two boards another 6″, the board bag height must be 5’5″ according to United. Needless to say, it was extremely frustration and is having a major impact on our trip. That’s 5 surfers that don’t have their boards and they don’t rent in Mentawai. We are working on plan B in realtime. Writing from the plane. I couldn’t cancel the trip because it was all prepaid.
Hi Clay, I just reviewed our article and saw we mentioned linear inches is length x width x height in a couple of spots, where the airlines probably specified that on their website, but unfortunately we did not mention that with United. I just updated the article to call attention to the linear inches issue and to clarify that for future travelers.
In our personal experience with United, we have taken domestic and international flights with them when we were traveling with an 8’6″ surfboard bag with two boards which is well over the 118 linear inches mark fully packed, and they accepted our bags, perhaps we just got lucky with the people at check-in. Seems like it can be hit and miss depending on who you get sometimes.
At any rate, I realize none of the above updates and comments helps you in your current situation, and I’d like to try to help in any way I can. I’ve just emailed you directly. Cheers
Hi Eric, where did you guys get the 9’8 length requirement from? Is there any United Documentation that supports that?
Hi there, likely from their website, but perhaps that has changed. In looking now it states surfboard bag must weigh under 100 lbs and be no longer than 115 total inches (length + width + height). So you’re looking at around 6’6″ surfboard bag.
That really sucks I would not ver fly an airline that does not accept surfboards because one time I went to Costa rica 7 years ago that this one airline nature air, They did not accept my surfboard going from San Jose to Liberia and one other time in Floriday going Miami to Jacksonville on Amtrak they almost would not accept my surfboards at all.
Hi!
TAP has a nice option Free of charge if we meet certain conditions.
I personally carried my 7″ 2-board bag free of charge.
“Sports equipment can be carried free of charge as hold baggage, provided that it does not exceed the maximum weight (23kg in Economy Class and 32kg in Executive Class) and the maximum size (combined height + length + width of 158cm)”
I must add that I had included the check-in 23kg bag, instead i checkd-in my surfboard bag
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
Qatar Airways is by far the worst!! Only flights leaving Sydney during the pandemic and wanted to charge me $2500 for my 7ft bag to Europe one way.. This is just excess baggage cost not including ticket!
Thanks for sharing your personal experience with, Qatar. That’s insane!
Philippine Airlines charge me 175 dollars per board in Honolulu, 700 total for four surfboards. Crazy unbelievable
If you book 2 bags ahead of time on Iberia with an upgraded economy ticket ($40-50 more) they let it count as your surfboard bag. While United has a terrible surfboard policy for economy class, sometimes the business class upgrade is only $200 more and in business class they let surfboards fly free. Last year I flew business class on United to El Salvador with 4 surfboards (60 lbs) and my dad brought his 9’0 standup paddle board and neither of us were charged.
Thanks for sharing your insights and experience!
Just checked a 6’ bag in Copa from GYE > LAX for $33. Website said $150 and I was prepared to pay.
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing. The Copa site still says $150 USD per surfboard bag for international flights and $50 USD for domestic flights. We’ve found plenty of inconsistency with surfboard bag fees when traveling (sometimes to our favor, and other times not) and heard all kinds of different stories from airline agents for bag fee inconsistencies: “the website hasn’t been updated with the new fees yet”, etc. It seems sometimes that different airports will have different fees, or sometimes you just get lucky with the check-in agent. It’s baffling how complicated airlines make it to find out the true and final fee for surfboard bags! Sounds like you scored. Cheers
Thank you for this article! The details about surfboard bag fees are really helpful. Cheers
Emirates allows 118 inch linear dimension max for Economy. Text above says 62 inch max.
Thank you for your work building the list!
Thanks for your feedback, Rob! We double-checked with Emirates baggage policies and you’re absolutely right. We updated the post with the accurate dimensions. Cheers
Ethiopia claims $200 for:
Surf boarding Equipment (a board (up to 3m)) but $100 for Waveboard (a board, a set of body protection (knee, arms, etc.), a helmet)
https://www.ethiopianairlines.com/aa/information/baggage-information/excess-and-special-baggage
Anyone flown with them?
jet blue just went up to $150 + $30 for anything over 80″. That’s 6’8″, and that’s a bag OVER a shortboard.
Whoops!–double intel. Should have read the thread first.
Jet blue charges $100 per board each way as of 11-17-19 FYI
Thanks for the heads up Kevin! Alas, another price increase…
Lufthansa is flat fee on all bags bigger than 165 cm not 200 as it say here.
starting at 80 euro for domestic flights up to 250 euros for long long-distance flights
Hi Hans – thanks for your input. Although, it’s complicated… I just made some updates with their new policies and here is a link to Lufthansa’s pricing for surfboards (which depends on the size of board and destination).
Jet Blue is $100 each way, plus 30 checked baggage fee each way. Just got off the phone with them.
Thanks, Doug!
These prices all seem a little off. Going to Portugal next month on Air Canada. 100 dollars per board (one board per bag) per way + check-in baggage fee of 60 bucks . Horrible.
Yikes! Thanks for your feedback, Danny! We double-checked and made the update. We try to keep this surfboard bag fee list as updated as possible, but unfortunately, airlines frequently change their fees and policies. Cheers
Don’t mess with Copa Airlines! We had to call ahead and make a reservation on the plane for the board bags and there’s only a limited number of bags (I’m pretty sure it was 4) they take per flight. There was already one reservation already made when I had called and just our group had 3 bags. I’ve never heard of anything like this. Also, they will check inside the bag to make sure you don’t have more than 2 boards. I had a buddy sell his 3rd board to an airport employee (for very, very cheap) at Liberia because they wouldn’t let him take it home.
Thanks for your feedback, John. That sucks!
If you are heading to Southeast Asia, fly Singapore Airlines. No board fees and very good service. Get to your flight a couple of hours ahead of schedule.
Awesome Paul, thanks for your feedback!
Just called Copa about a trip coming up on August 16th. Apparently they updated their sports equipment policy on August 1st and now charge $150/each way for surfboards limited to 2/bag.
Thanks for the heads up, Marcus! We really appreciate you letting us know. We updated the article and moved them down to the tolerable section.
Hope you have an epic trip wherever you’re going!
Cheers
Copa air is free now. Took them twice this year and never was charged. They also give you a free beer or wine :).
China Air charged me $150 per bag the first time and $150 per board the return :(.
Anyone know about Xiamen air? Need to fly them to Indo soon but their website is confusing.
Thanks for sharing these insights, Dawson! Very good to know about Copa hooking you up with free board bag transfers and China Air sticking it to ya. I don’t know anything about Xiamen Air, but please keep us posted if you’re able to figure out their surfboard bag fee details. Thanks again!
Thai Airways is charging 150 USD per board now…
Hey Paul, thanks for the heads up on Thai Airways. I just tried to check out their surfboard bag policy to confirm and it is such nonsense. I just can’t believe why so many airlines make it so damn complicated. Anyway, I updated their policy details in the post for the benefit of other readers and demoted them to the Worst Surfboard Bag Fees List. Thanks again.
Qantas Check-in will attach a Fragile tag to the bag and you must complete and sign the limited release portion of the baggage tag.
Singapore Air rocks! I took 3 boards from LAX to Jakarta and no fees! Compared to EVA air the previous year from LAX to Bali, and they tried to charge me $300 each way because my boardbag was 1 inch too long (and they used a tape measure to verify length!).
That’s awesome! Thanks for the recommendation. It’s always great to get first-hand feedback on airlines because they change their policies so frequently. Hooray for Singapore Air!
Thanks for posting this. There is nothing worse than booking your flight for a surf trip and not looking into surfboard bag fees before hand. I am saving this page to my bookmarks.
Awesome, Clarence. We’ll do our best to keep it current for everyone. And we always suggest double checking with the airlines directly to ensure nothing has changed and to avoid any inconvenience or unpleasant surprises. Cheers!