Surf and boogie boards airline fees and policies
Whether you're a surfing pro or simply enjoy riding the waves on your surf or boogie board, once you reach a certain level, you're likely to want to invest in your own equipment. Many of the world’s best surfing spots are overseas, so it's worth knowing how best to travel with your boards. We've gathered some packing tips and baggage restrictions from 12 of the world’s most popular airlines to ensure you and your equipment can arrive in one piece.
Planning to fly
Be sure to call ahead before booking your flight to confirm with the airline and to alert them to the fact that you'll be checking in oversized sporting equipment.
Aim to arrive as early as possible to check in to your flight. As flights become fuller the airline may be more likely to turn you down to save space. Make sure your surf or boogie board is one of the first items checked in and you should avoid this problem
Packing your surfing equipment
- Remove any fins, wrap them in a towel and pack flatly with your board. If you’re unable to remove these, then place a fin box or polystyrene bricks around them to keep them protected.
- Protect the edges of your board with piping and wrap the nose and tail in towels to protect them from any dings.
- Wrap your board in either a firm sheet or bubble wrap before packaging in a specialist carry bag.
- Label the board and the board bag with your name, address, destination address, phone number and flight number, just in case the two should become separated in any way. Also ensure that your board bag is marked 'fragile', to ensure handlers treat it with necessary care.
| Airline | Are surf and boogie boards accepted as part of the personal baggage allowance? | What is the size restriction on surf and boogie boards? | What is the weight limit on surf and boogie boards? | Further information |
| Air France | Surfboards and Boogie Boards can be transported in the hold with prior authorisation by phone from our sales department.
|
Under 107 cm / 42 inch free Equipment is between 107 and 300 cm / 42 and 118 in, you must purchase an additional baggage allowance |
23 kg / 50 lb maximum per board | |
| American Airlines | Surfboards are exempt from oversize and overweight fees The following transportation charge applies to surfboards over 62in / 157cm (length + height + width): $150. If you are checking in a surfboard and two bags or more, an excess baggage fee will apply in addition to the transportation charge. Lightweight surfboards packaged in a single bag that weighs less than 32kg / 70lbs will be accepted as a single surfboard for charging purposes. |
Surf Board: 126in / 320cm | Surf Board: 32kgs / 70lb | Surfboard: For Brazil ONLY: Maximum surfboard length of 108 in.; not to be included in checked bag allowances. Charge 50% of excess bag (4+) charge for 1st surfboard; Excess bag (4+) charges apply if more than one checked, to clarify: For tickets purchased before April 8, 2014: Surfboard charge for first board checked is $37.50; any additional surfboards are charged $75.00. For tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2014: Surfboard charge for first board checked is $42.50; any additional surfboards are charged $85.00 |
| BMI | Economy Flexible if within baggage allowance free. If in excess £30 Economy fixed £30 fee |
There are no size or dimension restrictions | 32kg | |
| British Airways | BA will accept surfboards as checked baggage providing they do not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and are packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. Baggage weighing over 23kg will cost £65/$100/€75 |
90cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) | 23kg | |
| Easyjet | You will be charged an additional non-refundable fee for each item carried. Simply select the 'Sports equipment' option when you book your flights online. If your item is not listed it must be carried as part of your standard hold baggage allowance. | There are no size or dimension restrictions. | 20kg (small sports equipment) 32kg (large sports equipment) and increases your checked in hold baggage allowance to a maximum of 40 or 52kgs A single item cannot weigh more than 32kg in total |
|
| Emirates | Accepted as checked baggage and part of standard baggage allowance | 300cm (118in) | 30kg, Business Class travellers 40kg and if you are flying First Class you can travel with 50kg of checked baggage. | Fins should always be removed, or, if they cannot be removed, should be firmly packed with polystyrene foam. Both nose and tail should have bubble-wrap or neoprene foam attached for protection. The rails (sides of the board) should have cardboard down the sides to absorb shock. The board should be packed in a properly padded surf-bag. |
| Flybe | Carriage of Surf Board Equipment is on a stand-by basis. An Exceptional charge applies to Surfboard equipment. |
300cm x 167cm x206cm | 20kg | Flybe are able to accept boards and sails |
| KLM | A surfboard between 107 and 300 cm (42 and 78 inch) can only be taken at a special fee, and only after reserving for its transportation | 107 cm / 42 in | 23kg Economy class 32kg Business class |
|
| Qantas Group | Surfboards, may not be able to be carried as checked baggage and will need to be sent as freight. Freight charges will apply. | 277cm (109in) | 32kg | To carry a surfboard or surf ski as baggage, fins must be removed where possible and placed in an enclosed compartment or taped to the board. Paddles must also be taped to the board. Due to size restrictions some equipment may not travel on the same aircraft as the customer. |
| Ryanair | Sporting equipment is inherently unsuitable for carriage by airlines operating fast turnarounds however these items may be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance upon payment of a discounted online fee of £50 per item, per one way flight when paid online or £60 when paid at the airport. Any sporting item weighing over the 20 kilos allowance will be charged for the excess at the applicable excess baggage rate per kilo.
|
81cm x 119cms | 20kg | |
| United | The service charge for a surfboard, wakeboard or paddleboard is $150 (each way) for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 (each way) for all other travel. | United Flights 115 inches (292cm) United Express 80 inches (203cm) |
45.3kg | The skeg/fin must be removed or well-padded. The entire board must be encased in a suitable container to avoid scratching. |
| Virgin Atlantic | Your surfboard won’t affect your free baggage allowance, and there’s no extra cost as long as it doesn’t exceed 23kg in weight. Fee's when exceeding 23kg: £30 for UK Departure $60 for US Departure |
Must not Exceed 277cm in length | 23kg |
Date published 06/05/2014
All prices in the table are based on information provided by the airlines on the 6th May 2015.
If there are any airlines or information not included here that you would like to know more about, email us at feedback@purpleparking.com and we'll include the most popular.
