Surfboard Baggage Fees for 2024: What Airlines Charge
Daniel Lofaso
SwellSpy Founder
Having journeyed near and far with my boardbag in tow, I know how important it is for surfers to understand where they can save a few bucks on surfboard baggage fees as they traverse the globe.
TLDR
Some airlines allow you to travel with surfboards for free, others charge one-way fees in the range of $100 to $250, and others will open your boardbag (and your wallet), and charge you per board, per way.
Understanding the answers to common questions like “can I take a surfboard on a plane” and “what are the costs of flying with a surfboard” in one central place helps you to better spend your money on things like ice cold beer, travel experiences, and that shitty trinket you are going to buy the girlfriend you ditched to go on this trip with your bros.
Choosing the right airline can be a daunting task since each carrier has its own subjective set of rules and regulations. Since policies are constantly evolving, we have provided an updated list of carrier fees for 2024 below. Keep in mind that ALL airlines have different caveats around baggage, so if you are sold on one particular airline, click-through their website to understand the exact rules.
Airline Surfboard Baggage Fees
Air Asia
Fees: Free/Varies
Fee varies, but surfboard fees are waived for flights to, from, or through Australia. One boardbag is allowed, with a maximum length of 109" and weight not exceeding 15 kg. For surfboards traveling to other destinations, excess baggage fees apply, varying depending on the specific destination.
Air Lingus
Fees: Free/Varies
For flights to or from North America, one board (maximum) is included in the free baggage allowance. If you exceed the allowance, there is a $100 charge per passenger, each way. On all other flights, the fee is €40 when booked online or €50 at the airport. The board cannot exceed 110" or 50 lbs. On regional flights, boards must not exceed 80" and carriage is subject to available space. If traveling in a group, it's advisable to contact the airline in advance. Boards should be packed in protective material (which is recommended anyway).
Aero Mexico
Fees: Free/Varies
Fee varies, but there is no charge for exchanging a boardbag with one piece of checked baggage as long as the maximum weight and length limits are not exceeded (not applicable for flights to or from the U.S. and Canada or for "V" class flights). For travel within Mexico, the fee is $75, and for international travel, it's $150. During peak seasons, rates increase to $83 and $165. Fees apply per article. The maximum length allowed on a narrow-body cabin is 80", while on a wide-body cabin, it is 115". The maximum weight is 70 lbs.
Air Canada
Fees: $100 per board, per flight
Boardbags are accepted on a space-available basis, so it's advisable to pre-register using this link. Each board counts as one piece of checked baggage. If you exceed the checked baggage allowance (ranging from 50 to 70 lbs or 63 to 115 linear inches), a fee of $100 per board is applicable for each way.
Air Emirates
Fees: Free
Surfboards can be included in the checked baggage allowance. If you exceed the allowance, excess baggage rates apply based on either weight or piece concept, depending on the route. For flights to or from North America, an overweight fee of $75 applies, while an excess piece or oversize charge amounts to $250. The combination of oversize and excess piece incurs a fee of $325. The total dimensions (length + width + height) should not exceed 118".
Air France
Fees: Free/Varies
Approval must be obtained in advance. The board must be under 118" and 50 lbs. It can be included in your baggage allowance at no extra charge (excluding Light or Basic fares). If you exceed the allowance, the fee varies and is determined based on your itinerary. For flights to or from the USA, Canada, or Mexico, and if the board measures between 3'5" and 9'8", the fee ranges from $75 to $150, depending on the specifics.
Air New Zealand
Fees: Free/Varies
A surfboard measuring 6'5" or under is considered a standard bag and incurs no additional charges. However, excess charges apply for larger boards, depending on the trip. Prepaid extra bags are cheaper. For instance, a prepaid bag between New Zealand and LA costs $70, while the airport rate is $150. One boardbag may contain multiple boards but must not exceed 70 lbs or 8'2".
Air Tahiti Nui
Fees: Free/Varies
One board is included in addition to the free baggage allowance. It must weigh under 50 lbs and measure under 98". Each additional board is subject to an excess fee determined by the specific trip.
Alaska Airlines
Fees: Free
One sports-related piece is included as a checked piece. A single piece of surfing or paddle equipment refers to a case containing either a surfboard or a paddleboard, with the option of having up to two boards inside (including the paddle, but only for paddleboards). For Alaska Airlines flights operated using 737 or Airbus aircraft, the length of the equipment alone should not exceed 115 inches (9 feet, 7 inches). For Alaska Airlines flights numbered between 2000 and 2999, as well as flights numbered between 3330 and 3499, the combined dimensions of the equipment must not exceed 115 inches (measured in a linear manner).
American Airlines
Fees: $30 to $150
When flying with American Airlines, the fee for surfboards ranges from $30 to $150. For surfboards weighing under 50 lbs, the fee is $30. If the weight falls between 50 and 70 lbs, the fee jumps to $150. Additionally, the surfboard must not exceed a maximum size of 126 inches, calculated by adding the length, width, and height together.
Avianca Airlines
Fees: $80 to $105
Avianca's fees for transporting surfboards vary depending on the region of travel. For international flights, the baggage fee is $80 if you prepay online, or $105 at the airport. You can check in a bag with up to three surfboards and up to 3.7 meters.
Bahamas Air
Fees: Free/Varies
Bahamas Air has different baggage policies for domestic and international flights. For domestic flights, the first checked bag is free, the second bag incurs a $45 fee, and the third bag has a fee of $75. On international flights, the first checked bag costs $25, the second bag is $45, and the third bag incurs a fee of $75. Excess charges apply for bags weighing between 51 and 70 lbs, which carry a fee of $75. Bags weighing between 71 and 99 lbs have a fee of $125, while bags exceeding 62 inches in size and weighing 70 lbs incur a fee of $150. However, for flights to Turks and Caicos or within the Bahamas, passengers are allowed two free bags, as long as the total weight does not exceed 100 lbs.
British Airways
Fees: Free
British Airways allows surfboards to be counted as part of the checked baggage allowance, without an additional fee. However, if the surfboard exceeds 50 lbs in weight, a heavy bag charge will apply. The maximum size allowed for a surfboard is 75 inches in length, 29.5 inches in width, and 25.5 inches in height, equivalent to 6'6".
Cathay Pacific
Fees: Free/Varies
Cathay Pacific's policies for transporting surfboards vary and may be included as part of the free checked baggage allowance. The surfboard must be one board and have dimensions of 62 inches or less. Charges for exceeding the baggage weight allowance are calculated per piece and vary based on the destination zone. If a surfboard weighs over 70 lbs, it incurs four times the extra baggage charge per piece. Additionally, oversized pieces with dimensions between 62 and 80 inches have a fee of $200, while bags exceeding 80 inches in dimensions are charged four times the baggage charge per piece.
China Airlines
Fees: Free/Varies
China Airlines allows surfboards to be included in the checked baggage allowance, with a maximum weight limit of 30 kg for checked bags. There is a fee of $150 for excess and oversized baggage. Travel to or from the Americas may also incur an additional oversized baggage fee of $300. Passengers are allowed to bring two boards per person, but this must be communicated at the time of booking.
Copa Airlines
Fees: $50 to $150
Copa Airlines charges varying fees for transporting surfboards based on the destination. For domestic flights within Panama, the fee is $50. If the final destination is Panama or there is a stopover in Panama, the fee increases to $100. For international travel, the fee is $150. Each bag or passenger is allowed to carry up to three boards, as long as the linear dimensions do not exceed 115 inches and the weight stays under 100 lbs. Reservations for surfboards should be made at the time of ticket purchase or no later than 48 hours in advance.
Delta Airlines
Fees: $30 to $40
Delta Airlines charges a fee of $30 for the first checked bag and $40 for the second bag when transporting surfboards. Passengers are allowed to bring a maximum of two boards per bag, provided they weigh under 50 lbs or additional fees will apply. Surfboard bags exceeding 115 linear inches are not permitted. However, for flights between Honolulu and Maui, the fee is reduced to $20.
easyJet
Fees: $30 to $40
When flying with EasyJet, there is a flat fee of $60 for transporting a surfboard. Each passenger is allowed to bring one board, as long as it weighs under 70 lbs. The fee is slightly higher if paid at the airport, with online payment costing $61 and airport payment costing $74.
Hawaiian Airlines
Fees: Varies
Hawaiian Airlines charges a fee of $100 per bag for transporting surfboards, and this fee applies to one-way travel. The maximum height allowed for a surfboard is 9'7", with a weight limit of 50 lbs. Multiple boards are permitted in one bag. The fee is reduced to $35 when flying between islands within Hawaii but increases to $150 for international travel. However, for flights from the USA to Australia or New Zealand, the surfboard can be part of the passenger's free baggage allowance.
There is no specific limit to the number of surfboards allowed per bag as long as the weight and size limits are not exceeded.
Iberia Airlines
Fees: Free/Varies
Iberia Airlines has a flexible policy regarding surfboard baggage fees. For long-haul flights, surfboards can be included as part of your baggage allowance. However, fees may apply if you exceed the allowed limit. For flights to and from the USA, Mexico, and Canada, there is a fee of $100 for a second bag in Economy class. On short-haul and medium-haul flights, there is a single fee of $55. If you're flying from Brazil, the fee is $60 for one board and $150 for each additional unit. The maximum size allowed for surfboards is 11'4".
Japan Airlines
Fees: $50 to $200
Japan Airlines charges a flat fee of $200 per board bag for most international flights. This applies to flights between Japan, Asia, India, Oceania, Hawaii, North America, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with a maximum allowance of two boards per bag. For flights from Japan to Asia, Guam, or Oceania, the fee is $100 per board bag. For flights within Japan, there is a fee of $50. It's important to call the airline in advance to inform them of your surfboard transportation.
jetBlue
Fees: $100
JetBlue Airways charges a fee of $100 each way for transporting a surfboard. You are allowed to bring one board per bag, and it counts as part of your checked baggage allowance. However, there are certain restrictions for flights to and from Bermuda, Haiti, Peru, Port of Spain, Santo Domingo, and Santiago. Additionally, the surfboard cannot exceed 99 lbs in weight.
Korean Air
Fees: Free
Korean Air allows surfboards to be included as checked baggage free of charge. The total size of the surfboard must be less than 115 linear inches and under 70 lbs. However, on domestic flights, there is a charge of KRW 2000 per 1 kg for exceeding the free baggage allowance. For different regions, excess baggage fees apply, such as $200 for flights to/from the Americas, $175 for flights from Asia to Brazil, and $130 for flights from Asia to Europe, the Middle East, Africa, or Oceania. Please note that in Economy class, passengers are allowed only one bag.
Latam (formerly Lan)
Fees: Varies
Latam Airlines, formerly known as Lan, has a surfboard baggage policy that varies depending on your travel destination. Surfboards can usually be checked as part of your baggage allowance, which typically consists of two pieces. You are allowed a maximum of three boards per bag, and they cannot exceed 118 linear inches or weigh more than 50 lbs. Excess baggage fees apply if you exceed the allowed baggage allowance.
Lufthansa
Fees: Varies
Lufthansa Airlines allows surfboards to be included as part of your baggage allowance, which varies depending on the class of service. Economy class is typically allowed one piece of baggage. The surfboard must weigh less than 70 lbs and be under 6'6" in length. If you have longboards up to 10'4" in length, there are additional excess charges. The specific fees depend on the type of flight and the region you are traveling to or from.
Malaysian Airlines
Fees: Free
Malaysian Airlines includes surfboards as part of your checked baggage allowance, with Economy class typically allowing two pieces of baggage. You are allowed one surfboard per person, with a maximum length of 8' and a maximum weight of 70 lbs. Excess baggage fees apply if you exceed the allowed baggage allowance, and the fees are determined based on the zones of travel.
Philippine Airlines
Fees: Varies
Philippine Airlines has varying surfboard baggage fees, which typically start from $150 or higher, especially for board bags over seven feet in length. Additionally, the excess baggage charge doubles for board bags exceeding 109 inches in size. The fees depend on the destination and the type of equipment being transported.
Qantas
Fees: Free
Qantas Airlines includes surfboards as part of your checked baggage allowance, typically allowing two pieces for Economy class. The surfboard must be in a bag and should not exceed 70 lbs in weight and 9'1" in length. Excess fees apply if the surfboard exceeds your baggage allowance, and the specific fees depend on the departure and destination of your flight.
Singapore Airlines
Fees: Free
Singapore Airlines allows surfboards to be included as part of your checked baggage allowance, typically allowing two pieces. Additional baggage fees for surfboards range from $150 to $350 for routes to the United States and Canada. For non-U.S. and non-Canadian routes, the additional baggage fees range from $8 to $56 per kilogram. Passengers are allowed one surfboard per person, and the surfboard must not exceed 70 lbs in weight.
South African Airways
Fees: Free
South African Airways may include surfboards as part of your checked baggage allowance, typically allowing one bag for Economy class passengers. You are permitted to bring one surfboard, which must not exceed 6'5" in length or 50 lbs in weight. If you have larger boards, they may need to be transported as cargo. Any excess weight will be charged accordingly.
Southwest
Fees: $75
Southwest Airlines charges a fee of $75 each way for surfboard transportation. The surfboard counts as part of your checked baggage, and the fee is applied per bag, per one-way journey. Fins must be removed from the surfboard for transport. Additionally, on flights between the Hawaiian Islands, a surfboard can be substituted for one checked bag.
Spirit Airlines
Fees: $100
Spirit Airlines charges a fee of $100 for surfboard transportation. Each bag is allowed to carry two surfboards, and the fee covers both boards. Overweight or oversized board bags do not incur additional fees beyond the $100 charge. Fins must be removed or protected during transportation.
TAP Portugal
Fees: Varies
TAP Portugal has varying surfboard baggage fees ranging from $77 to $185, depending on the size and destination. The surfboard must be under 70 lbs in weight. The fees are applicable per one-way journey. Prior to the flight, passengers are required to sign a declaration of transport for their surfboard.
Thai Airways
Fees: Varies
Thai Airways' surfboard baggage fees vary based on the travel route. For flights to and from the USA or Canada, surfboards under 6'5" incur a fee of $150, while boards over 6'5" have a fee of $300. However, there are exceptions for specific routes, such as one free surfboard allowed for flights to and from Bali when purchased from Japan. Additionally, flights to and from Australia and New Zealand allow one free surfboard. Flat rates apply for board bags that exceed the baggage allowance.
United Airlines
Fees: $30 to $200
United Airlines charges varying surfboard baggage fees ranging from $30 to $150. For flights to or from California, a surfboard counts as one piece of checked luggage, with a fee of $30. For flights within North America, including the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, the fee is $150 each way. For other travel destinations, the fee increases to $200 each way. The surfboard must not exceed a maximum weight of 99 lbs and a length of 9'5". It's important to note that United Airlines may have an excess baggage embargo during certain periods.
Virgin Atlantic
Fees: Free
Virgin Atlantic includes surfboards as part of your baggage allowance, typically allowing one bag for Economy class passengers. The surfboard must not exceed 75" x 30" x 26" in size and 50 lbs in weight. If you exceed your baggage allowance, an additional bag fee of $100 will apply.
Virgin Atlantic
Fees: Free
Virgin Atlantic includes surfboards as part of your baggage allowance, typically allowing one bag for Economy class passengers. The surfboard must not exceed 75" x 30" x 26" in size and 50 lbs in weight. If you exceed your baggage allowance, an additional bag fee of $100 will apply.
Volaris
Fees: Varies
Volaris Airlines has varying surfboard baggage fees depending on whether it is a domestic or international flight. Excess fees apply for surfboards, and the specific charges depend on the route. Passengers are allowed to bring up to two boards per person. A "More Baggage Combo" can be purchased for $160 at the time of booking, which includes a piece of sports equipment with a maximum length of 8'2". It is recommended to contact the airline directly to confirm the fees and policies.
Surfboard Travel Fees: What You Need to Know
Please note that airline policies and fees can change, so it's always best to verify with the specific airline before booking your flight. The specifics of the fees are constantly changing, so make sure you read the fine print on the respective airlines’ websites before you pull the trigger on flights.
Many airlines will discount your boardbag fees if you book in advance or online versus at the gate.
Does a surfboard count as checked baggage?
Some airlines allow a surfboard boardbag as checked baggage while others will charge you for it. Generally, there is some limitation to this and some form of substitution at play.
What size surfboard can I fly with?
Each airline has rules in terms of the length, width, and weight of your baggage. While it is likely that most shortboards would be considered within the normal size limits of sporting equipment, you always need to read the specifics on the respective airlines’ websites to be sure.
Do airlines charge for each board or per board bag?
This is an airline-specific rule that is generally established by weight rather than board amount. That said, some airlines expect that each boardbag only contain one surfboard whereas others don’t care how many boards are in the boardbag provided it does not exceed their baggage weight restrictions. To try to avoid these charges, check out our recommended boardbag for hiding a surfboard from the airline carriers.
Do airlines charge each way for surfboard bags?
Yes, airlines will usually charge you each way for your surfboard baggage fees.
Plan on traveling?
Check out our recommendations on the best boardbags hand-picked by our team of globetrotters.
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