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It can be a bit overwhelming when choosing an airline to take you and your surfboard/s on a surf trip. There are so many things to consider so here are a few tips to keep in mind when booking a flight.
1. Check for the best prices to your destination, across multiple carriers.
2. Don't just check for pricing but policies also.
3. Read the fine print.
4. Print or download the airlines posted policy for quick reference at
the check-in counter.
5. Make sure the airline policy is the same on the return flight as it is
on the departing flight.
6. Weigh your boards at home.
Please check the following list and links that are up to date as of 2022. Keep in mind these fees fluctuate from time to time due to changing global circumstances. Happy researching.
Aer Lingus
www.aerlingus.com
516-622-4226
Free/Varies
To/from North America, one board (max) can be part of free baggage allowance. Over allowance, will cost you each way. All other flights, €40 (each way) online. At airport it’s €50. Cannot exceed 110″ or 50 lbs. Regional flights: boards cannot exceed 80″ and carriage is subject to available space. In a group, contact the airline ahead of time.
Aero Mexico
www.aeromexico.com
800-237-6639
Free/Varies
Boardbags can be exchanged for one piece of checked baggage free of charge as long as maximum weight and length aren’t exceeded (not applicable for flights to/from the U.S. and Canada or for “V” class flights). For travel within Mexico, it’s $75; international travel is $150. In the high season, rates are $83 and $165. Fees are for each article. Max length on a narrow-body cabin is 80″. Max length on a wide-body cabin is 115 in. Max weight is 70 lbs.
Air Asia
www.airasia.com/en/gb
Free/Varies
Fees on surfboards flying to, from, or through Australia are waived (although certain restrictions apply, such as size and weight; read more on the specifics here). Surfboards traveling to/from/through other destinations are subject to excess baggage fees and those depend on the destination.
Air Canada
www.aircanada.com
888-247-2262
$100-$118
Boards accepted on a space available basis, so pre-register. Each board counts as one piece of checked baggage. If you exceed the checked baggage allowance (50 to 70 lbs; 63 to 115 in) fees range from $100-$118 in addition to the $100 handling fee (per board, each way).
Air Emirates
www.emirates.com
800-777-3999
Free/Varies
Can be part of your checked baggage allowance. If you go over allowance, excess baggage rates will apply based on either a weight or piece concept, depending on route. To/from North America: overweight fee: $75; excess piece or oversize charge: $250; oversize and excess piece: $325. Total dimensions (length + width + height cannot exceed 118″).
Air France
www.airfrance.com
800-237-2747
Varies
Call ahead for approval. Must be under 118″ and 50 lbs. Can be included at no extra charge in your baggage allowance (not Light or Basic fare). If you exceed allowance, fee varies and is determined according to your trip. To/from the USA, Canada or Mexico, and the board is between 3’5″ and 9’8″, the fee ranges between $75, $100, or $150 depending.
Air New Zealand
www.airnewzealand.com
800-262-1234
Free/Varies
Counts as a standard bag if it’s 6’5″ or under. Otherwise excess charges apply depending on your trip. If you purchase a prepaid extra bag, it is cheaper. Example: prepaid bag between New Zealand and LA is $70; at the airport, it’s $150. One boardbag may have multiple boards in it, but may not exceed 70 lbs or 8’2″.
Fiji Air (Air Pacific)
www.fijiairways.com
Varies/$125-$150
Each way per surfboard bag. Must be less than 66-88 lbs (depends on destination) & 62" in total length. Baggage over these weights will need to be checked as freight. Baggage over 62" but under the max weight will be charged a $125-$150 oversize fee.
Air Tahiti Nui
www.airtahitinui.com
877-824-4846
Free
One board is included in addition to your free allowance. Must be under 50 lbs and 98″. Each additional board is subject to an excess fee depending on your trip.
Alaska Airlines
www.alaskaair.com
800-252-7522
$30+
Under 50 lbs and less than 115” (linear) follows to the normal baggage fee of $30. But anything above those measurements gets bumped up to $100.
American Airlines
www.aa.com
800-433-7300
$30-$150
If your bag is under 50 pounds, it’s the standard checked bag fee of $30. Oversized fee of $150 applies on bags 50-70 lbs. Additional info includes: Max size (length + width + height) is 126″ based on airplane size and load factors. Bags can contain multiple boards.
Avianca
www.avianca.com/
$100-$150
Up to 3 boards per bag, up to 70 lbs and 12′. $150 to/from North America, between Central and South America, to/from the Carribean, and within Central America. Travel within South America $100. For travel within Peru and Ecuador, the fee is $29 and $25 respectively, but you can only bring one board no longer than 6’5″.
Bahamas Air
www.bahamasair.com
800-222-4262
Free/Varies
Treated as a checked bag (1st bag: free, 2nd bag: $45, 3rd bag: $75 for domestic, $25, $45, $75 international). One board/bag. Must be under 50 lbs. Int. flights, excess charge for bags 51-70 lbs: $75; bags 71-99 lbs: $125; and bags over 62″ and 70 lbs are $150. For domestic & Turks and Caicos travel, you’re allowed to bring two bags for free. Baggage cannot exceed 100 lbs.
British Airways
www.britishairways.com
800-247-9297
Free
May count as part of your checked baggage. Boards must be smaller than 75″ x 29.5″ x 25.5″ (6’6”). Bags weighing more than 50 lbs may incur a heavy bag charge. If you’re over your checked bag limit or the size limit, additional fees apply.
Cathay Pacific
www.cathaypacific.com
800-233-2742
Free/Varies
Can be included as part of your free checked baggage (must be one board, 62″ and under in total dimensions (length + width + height). If you go over your baggage weight allowance, charges are calculated per piece on a zone basis (ranging from $60 to $150). If baggage is over 70 lbs, expect to pay four times the extra baggage charge per piece. There is a $200 for each oversized piece (bags between 62″ and 80″ in total dimensions). For bags over 80″, expect to pay four times the baggage charge per piece.
China Air
www.china-airlines.com
800-227-5118
Varies
Surfboards may be included in checked baggage allowance. If you go over allowance (maximum 30kg total), excess and oversized baggage charges are $150. For travel to/from the Americas, charged per piece (not by weight) and may be subject to an oversized baggage fee of $300. Two boards per passenger. Must inform at time of booking to verify if travel is possible.
Copa Airlines
www.copaair.com
800-359-2672
$50/Varies
For domestic flights within Panama: $50. On flights where the final destination is Panama or for those with a stopover in Panama: $100. For international travel: $150. Fees are regardless of baggage allowance. Three boards per bag/passenger. Must be under 115 linear inches and 100 lbs. Make reservations for your boards when purchasing your ticket or no later than 48 hours in advance.
Delta
www.delta.com
800-221-1212
$30 first checked bag, $40 second.
Limit 2 boards per bag. Must be under 50 lbs or pay additional fees. Surfboards over 115 linear inches are not allowed. Between Honolulu and Maui, it’s $20.
EasyJet
www.easyjet.com
+44 843 104 5454
$60
One board per passenger. Must be under 70 lbs. If you pay online, it’s £45 (appx. $61); if you pay at the airport, it’s £55 (appx. $74).
Garuda Indonesia
www.garuda-indonesia.com
Free/Varies
One surfboard can be checked free of charge. Additional surfboards will be calculated into the free baggage allowance. When the free baggage allowance is exceeded then it will be assessed at the normal excess baggage rate. Max size: 300cm. Max weight: 23 kg.
There are some variations for different aircraft types so check the website first.
Hawaiian Air
www.hawaiianair.com
800-367-5320
$100
One-way, per bag. Max height 9’7″ and max weight of 50 lbs. Multiple boards allowed in one bag. Price drops to $35 when flying between islands. Goes up to $150 for international travel. For flights to Australia or New Zealand from USA, the board can be part of your free allowance. No limit to amount of boards per bag as long as weight/size limits aren’t exceeded.
Iberia
www.iberia.com
800-772-4642
Free/Varies
For long-haul flights, it can be part of your baggage allowance. If you go over your allowance, fees vary depending on your trip. For flights from/to USA, Mexico, and Canada, a second bag in Economy is $100. For short-haul and medium-haul flights, a single fee of $55 applies. Flights originating from Brazil charge $60 for one board and $150 for each additional unit. One board per passenger. Max size: 11’4″.
Interjet (Mexico)
interjet.com.mx
866-285-9525
Free
Included as part of your baggage allowance (one bag and one board). Total max weight (for all checked luggage) per passenger is 165 lbs (75 kg).
Japan Airlines
www.jal.com
800-525-3663
$200
The fee is $200 per boardbag (two boards max) for flights between Japan, Asia, India, Oceania and Hawaii, North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa. Must call in advance. From Japan to Asia, Guam, or Oceania, it’s $100. For flights within Japan, it’s $50.
Jet Blue
www.jetblue.com
800-538-2583
$100
Price is each way. One board per bag. Counts as part of your checked baggage allowance. No surfboards allowed on flights to/from Bermuda, Haiti, Peru, Port of Spain, Santo Domingo and Santiago. Can’t be over 99 lbs.
Korean Air
www.koreanair.com
800-438-5000
Free/Varies
Included as checked baggage. Total size must be less than 115 linear inches and under 70 lbs. When traveling domestic flights, there is a KRW 2000 charge per 1 kg over free baggage allownace. If over bag limit (usually 2 bags), it’s $200 to/from Americas; Asia to Brazil is $175; Asia to EU/Middle East/Africa/Oceania is $130 & economy only gets 1 bag
Latam Airlines
www.latam.com
866-435-9526
Varies
Can be checked as part of your baggage allowance (typically two pieces). Three boards per bag max. Cannot exceed 118 linear inches or 50 lbs. If you go over your baggage allowance, excess baggage fees apply.
Lufthansa
www.lufthansa-usa.com
800-645-3880
Free
Included as part of your baggage allowance (which depends on class, but Economy is one piece). Must be less than 70 lbs and/or 6’6″. If you exceed your allowance, the fee for continental flights is $80; intercontinental is $172. You need to call and register your board at least 24 hours before the flight.
Malaysian Airlines
www.malaysiaairlines.com
800-552-9264
Free
Included as part of your checked baggage allowance (two pieces for Economy). One board per person. Max length is 8′ and max weight is 70 lbs. If you go over your allowance, there is a zone-based excess baggage rate.
Philippine Airlines
www.philippineairlines.com
Varies
Depends on where you’re going and what you’re bringing but expect to pay $150 or more, especially if your boardbag is over seven feet. Excess baggage charge doubles for boards over 109″.
Qantas
www.qantas.com.au
800-227-4500
Free/Varies
Free as part of your checked baggage (two pieces for Economy). Must be in a bag and may not exceed 70 lbs and 9' 1". If it’s beyond your baggage allowance, excess fees apply depending on place of departure/destination.
Singapore Airlines
www.singaporeair.com
800-742-3333
Free/Varies
As part of your checked bag allowance (two pieces). After that, additional baggage ranges from $150-$350 depending on destination for US and Canadian routes. Additional baggage on non-US and Canadian routes ranges from $8-$56/kg so be careful when booking. Only one board per person. Cannot exceed 70 lbs.
South African Airlines
www.flysaa.com
800-722-9675
Free/Varies
May be included as part of your checked bag allowance (one bag for Economy). Only one board and it must not exceed 6’5” or 50 lbs. Larger boards must go as cargo. Excess weight will be charged accordingly.
Southwest Airlines
www.southwest.com
$75
Counts as part of your checked baggage. Fee is applied each way per bag. Fins must be removed. Can be substituted for one checked bag on flights between the Hawaiian Islands.
Spirit
www.spirit.com
$100
Two boards allowed per bag, $100 per trip. Overweight or oversized boardbags don’t apply (it’s covered in the $100 fee).
TAP Portugal
www.flytap.com
800-221-7370
Varies
If it is larger than 6’5″, the price is $77 for Domestic flights and flights to Europe, Morocco and Algeria; $150 for Intercontinental flights; $180 for flights to/from the Dominican Republic. If the board is over 6’5″ it’s $138 for Domestic flights and flights to Europe, Morocco and Algeria and $185 for Intercontinental flights. Must be under 70 lbs. Prices are one-way. A declaration of transport must be signed prior to flight or transportation may be refused.
Thai Airways
www.thaiairways.com
800-400-8222
$100
For travel to/from USA or Canada: If the board is under 6’5″ the fee is $150; if the board is over 6’5″ it’s $300. Exceptions: One surfboard is free to/from Bali if you purchase your trip from Japan; one surfboard is free to/from Australia and New Zealand. If the boardbag exceeds allowance, flat rates apply.
United
www.united.com
800-864-8331
$30-$150
To/From California: counts as one piece of checked luggage: $30. Rest of North America: $150 each way between the U.S., Canada, PR and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 each way for all other travel. Max of 99 lbs. & 9’5″. Note: check the excess baggage embargo list to make sure they will even take your board, which, during certain times of the year and to certain destinations, they won’t with the exception of Costa Rica.
Virgin Atlantic
www.virgin-atlantic.com
800-862-8621
Varies
Counts as part of your baggage allowance (one bag for Economy tickets). Your board can’t exceed 75″ x 30″ x 26″ and 50 lbs. If you go over your allowance, the fee is $100 for an additional bag.
Volaris
www.volaris.com
Varies
Depends on domestic vs. international flights, but expect to pay some form of excess fee for surfboards. Up to two boards per passenger. We recommend to purchase the “More Baggage Combo” at the time of booking for $160 ($200 during high season) which includes a piece of sports equipment (8’2″ max. length). See the list in the link above, although the best course of action is to simply call the airline beforehand, so that you don’t get blindsided with an absurd charge at the ticketing counter.
1. Check for the best prices to your destination, across multiple carriers.
2. Don't just check for pricing but policies also.
3. Read the fine print.
4. Print or download the airlines posted policy for quick reference at
the check-in counter.
5. Make sure the airline policy is the same on the return flight as it is
on the departing flight.
6. Weigh your boards at home.
Please check the following list and links that are up to date as of 2022. Keep in mind these fees fluctuate from time to time due to changing global circumstances. Happy researching.
Aer Lingus
www.aerlingus.com
516-622-4226
Free/Varies
To/from North America, one board (max) can be part of free baggage allowance. Over allowance, will cost you each way. All other flights, €40 (each way) online. At airport it’s €50. Cannot exceed 110″ or 50 lbs. Regional flights: boards cannot exceed 80″ and carriage is subject to available space. In a group, contact the airline ahead of time.
Aero Mexico
www.aeromexico.com
800-237-6639
Free/Varies
Boardbags can be exchanged for one piece of checked baggage free of charge as long as maximum weight and length aren’t exceeded (not applicable for flights to/from the U.S. and Canada or for “V” class flights). For travel within Mexico, it’s $75; international travel is $150. In the high season, rates are $83 and $165. Fees are for each article. Max length on a narrow-body cabin is 80″. Max length on a wide-body cabin is 115 in. Max weight is 70 lbs.
Air Asia
www.airasia.com/en/gb
Free/Varies
Fees on surfboards flying to, from, or through Australia are waived (although certain restrictions apply, such as size and weight; read more on the specifics here). Surfboards traveling to/from/through other destinations are subject to excess baggage fees and those depend on the destination.
Air Canada
www.aircanada.com
888-247-2262
$100-$118
Boards accepted on a space available basis, so pre-register. Each board counts as one piece of checked baggage. If you exceed the checked baggage allowance (50 to 70 lbs; 63 to 115 in) fees range from $100-$118 in addition to the $100 handling fee (per board, each way).
Air Emirates
www.emirates.com
800-777-3999
Free/Varies
Can be part of your checked baggage allowance. If you go over allowance, excess baggage rates will apply based on either a weight or piece concept, depending on route. To/from North America: overweight fee: $75; excess piece or oversize charge: $250; oversize and excess piece: $325. Total dimensions (length + width + height cannot exceed 118″).
Air France
www.airfrance.com
800-237-2747
Varies
Call ahead for approval. Must be under 118″ and 50 lbs. Can be included at no extra charge in your baggage allowance (not Light or Basic fare). If you exceed allowance, fee varies and is determined according to your trip. To/from the USA, Canada or Mexico, and the board is between 3’5″ and 9’8″, the fee ranges between $75, $100, or $150 depending.
Air New Zealand
www.airnewzealand.com
800-262-1234
Free/Varies
Counts as a standard bag if it’s 6’5″ or under. Otherwise excess charges apply depending on your trip. If you purchase a prepaid extra bag, it is cheaper. Example: prepaid bag between New Zealand and LA is $70; at the airport, it’s $150. One boardbag may have multiple boards in it, but may not exceed 70 lbs or 8’2″.
Fiji Air (Air Pacific)
www.fijiairways.com
Varies/$125-$150
Each way per surfboard bag. Must be less than 66-88 lbs (depends on destination) & 62" in total length. Baggage over these weights will need to be checked as freight. Baggage over 62" but under the max weight will be charged a $125-$150 oversize fee.
Air Tahiti Nui
www.airtahitinui.com
877-824-4846
Free
One board is included in addition to your free allowance. Must be under 50 lbs and 98″. Each additional board is subject to an excess fee depending on your trip.
Alaska Airlines
www.alaskaair.com
800-252-7522
$30+
Under 50 lbs and less than 115” (linear) follows to the normal baggage fee of $30. But anything above those measurements gets bumped up to $100.
American Airlines
www.aa.com
800-433-7300
$30-$150
If your bag is under 50 pounds, it’s the standard checked bag fee of $30. Oversized fee of $150 applies on bags 50-70 lbs. Additional info includes: Max size (length + width + height) is 126″ based on airplane size and load factors. Bags can contain multiple boards.
Avianca
www.avianca.com/
$100-$150
Up to 3 boards per bag, up to 70 lbs and 12′. $150 to/from North America, between Central and South America, to/from the Carribean, and within Central America. Travel within South America $100. For travel within Peru and Ecuador, the fee is $29 and $25 respectively, but you can only bring one board no longer than 6’5″.
Bahamas Air
www.bahamasair.com
800-222-4262
Free/Varies
Treated as a checked bag (1st bag: free, 2nd bag: $45, 3rd bag: $75 for domestic, $25, $45, $75 international). One board/bag. Must be under 50 lbs. Int. flights, excess charge for bags 51-70 lbs: $75; bags 71-99 lbs: $125; and bags over 62″ and 70 lbs are $150. For domestic & Turks and Caicos travel, you’re allowed to bring two bags for free. Baggage cannot exceed 100 lbs.
British Airways
www.britishairways.com
800-247-9297
Free
May count as part of your checked baggage. Boards must be smaller than 75″ x 29.5″ x 25.5″ (6’6”). Bags weighing more than 50 lbs may incur a heavy bag charge. If you’re over your checked bag limit or the size limit, additional fees apply.
Cathay Pacific
www.cathaypacific.com
800-233-2742
Free/Varies
Can be included as part of your free checked baggage (must be one board, 62″ and under in total dimensions (length + width + height). If you go over your baggage weight allowance, charges are calculated per piece on a zone basis (ranging from $60 to $150). If baggage is over 70 lbs, expect to pay four times the extra baggage charge per piece. There is a $200 for each oversized piece (bags between 62″ and 80″ in total dimensions). For bags over 80″, expect to pay four times the baggage charge per piece.
China Air
www.china-airlines.com
800-227-5118
Varies
Surfboards may be included in checked baggage allowance. If you go over allowance (maximum 30kg total), excess and oversized baggage charges are $150. For travel to/from the Americas, charged per piece (not by weight) and may be subject to an oversized baggage fee of $300. Two boards per passenger. Must inform at time of booking to verify if travel is possible.
Copa Airlines
www.copaair.com
800-359-2672
$50/Varies
For domestic flights within Panama: $50. On flights where the final destination is Panama or for those with a stopover in Panama: $100. For international travel: $150. Fees are regardless of baggage allowance. Three boards per bag/passenger. Must be under 115 linear inches and 100 lbs. Make reservations for your boards when purchasing your ticket or no later than 48 hours in advance.
Delta
www.delta.com
800-221-1212
$30 first checked bag, $40 second.
Limit 2 boards per bag. Must be under 50 lbs or pay additional fees. Surfboards over 115 linear inches are not allowed. Between Honolulu and Maui, it’s $20.
EasyJet
www.easyjet.com
+44 843 104 5454
$60
One board per passenger. Must be under 70 lbs. If you pay online, it’s £45 (appx. $61); if you pay at the airport, it’s £55 (appx. $74).
Garuda Indonesia
www.garuda-indonesia.com
Free/Varies
One surfboard can be checked free of charge. Additional surfboards will be calculated into the free baggage allowance. When the free baggage allowance is exceeded then it will be assessed at the normal excess baggage rate. Max size: 300cm. Max weight: 23 kg.
There are some variations for different aircraft types so check the website first.
Hawaiian Air
www.hawaiianair.com
800-367-5320
$100
One-way, per bag. Max height 9’7″ and max weight of 50 lbs. Multiple boards allowed in one bag. Price drops to $35 when flying between islands. Goes up to $150 for international travel. For flights to Australia or New Zealand from USA, the board can be part of your free allowance. No limit to amount of boards per bag as long as weight/size limits aren’t exceeded.
Iberia
www.iberia.com
800-772-4642
Free/Varies
For long-haul flights, it can be part of your baggage allowance. If you go over your allowance, fees vary depending on your trip. For flights from/to USA, Mexico, and Canada, a second bag in Economy is $100. For short-haul and medium-haul flights, a single fee of $55 applies. Flights originating from Brazil charge $60 for one board and $150 for each additional unit. One board per passenger. Max size: 11’4″.
Interjet (Mexico)
interjet.com.mx
866-285-9525
Free
Included as part of your baggage allowance (one bag and one board). Total max weight (for all checked luggage) per passenger is 165 lbs (75 kg).
Japan Airlines
www.jal.com
800-525-3663
$200
The fee is $200 per boardbag (two boards max) for flights between Japan, Asia, India, Oceania and Hawaii, North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa. Must call in advance. From Japan to Asia, Guam, or Oceania, it’s $100. For flights within Japan, it’s $50.
Jet Blue
www.jetblue.com
800-538-2583
$100
Price is each way. One board per bag. Counts as part of your checked baggage allowance. No surfboards allowed on flights to/from Bermuda, Haiti, Peru, Port of Spain, Santo Domingo and Santiago. Can’t be over 99 lbs.
Korean Air
www.koreanair.com
800-438-5000
Free/Varies
Included as checked baggage. Total size must be less than 115 linear inches and under 70 lbs. When traveling domestic flights, there is a KRW 2000 charge per 1 kg over free baggage allownace. If over bag limit (usually 2 bags), it’s $200 to/from Americas; Asia to Brazil is $175; Asia to EU/Middle East/Africa/Oceania is $130 & economy only gets 1 bag
Latam Airlines
www.latam.com
866-435-9526
Varies
Can be checked as part of your baggage allowance (typically two pieces). Three boards per bag max. Cannot exceed 118 linear inches or 50 lbs. If you go over your baggage allowance, excess baggage fees apply.
Lufthansa
www.lufthansa-usa.com
800-645-3880
Free
Included as part of your baggage allowance (which depends on class, but Economy is one piece). Must be less than 70 lbs and/or 6’6″. If you exceed your allowance, the fee for continental flights is $80; intercontinental is $172. You need to call and register your board at least 24 hours before the flight.
Malaysian Airlines
www.malaysiaairlines.com
800-552-9264
Free
Included as part of your checked baggage allowance (two pieces for Economy). One board per person. Max length is 8′ and max weight is 70 lbs. If you go over your allowance, there is a zone-based excess baggage rate.
Philippine Airlines
www.philippineairlines.com
Varies
Depends on where you’re going and what you’re bringing but expect to pay $150 or more, especially if your boardbag is over seven feet. Excess baggage charge doubles for boards over 109″.
Qantas
www.qantas.com.au
800-227-4500
Free/Varies
Free as part of your checked baggage (two pieces for Economy). Must be in a bag and may not exceed 70 lbs and 9' 1". If it’s beyond your baggage allowance, excess fees apply depending on place of departure/destination.
Singapore Airlines
www.singaporeair.com
800-742-3333
Free/Varies
As part of your checked bag allowance (two pieces). After that, additional baggage ranges from $150-$350 depending on destination for US and Canadian routes. Additional baggage on non-US and Canadian routes ranges from $8-$56/kg so be careful when booking. Only one board per person. Cannot exceed 70 lbs.
South African Airlines
www.flysaa.com
800-722-9675
Free/Varies
May be included as part of your checked bag allowance (one bag for Economy). Only one board and it must not exceed 6’5” or 50 lbs. Larger boards must go as cargo. Excess weight will be charged accordingly.
Southwest Airlines
www.southwest.com
$75
Counts as part of your checked baggage. Fee is applied each way per bag. Fins must be removed. Can be substituted for one checked bag on flights between the Hawaiian Islands.
Spirit
www.spirit.com
$100
Two boards allowed per bag, $100 per trip. Overweight or oversized boardbags don’t apply (it’s covered in the $100 fee).
TAP Portugal
www.flytap.com
800-221-7370
Varies
If it is larger than 6’5″, the price is $77 for Domestic flights and flights to Europe, Morocco and Algeria; $150 for Intercontinental flights; $180 for flights to/from the Dominican Republic. If the board is over 6’5″ it’s $138 for Domestic flights and flights to Europe, Morocco and Algeria and $185 for Intercontinental flights. Must be under 70 lbs. Prices are one-way. A declaration of transport must be signed prior to flight or transportation may be refused.
Thai Airways
www.thaiairways.com
800-400-8222
$100
For travel to/from USA or Canada: If the board is under 6’5″ the fee is $150; if the board is over 6’5″ it’s $300. Exceptions: One surfboard is free to/from Bali if you purchase your trip from Japan; one surfboard is free to/from Australia and New Zealand. If the boardbag exceeds allowance, flat rates apply.
United
www.united.com
800-864-8331
$30-$150
To/From California: counts as one piece of checked luggage: $30. Rest of North America: $150 each way between the U.S., Canada, PR and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and $200 each way for all other travel. Max of 99 lbs. & 9’5″. Note: check the excess baggage embargo list to make sure they will even take your board, which, during certain times of the year and to certain destinations, they won’t with the exception of Costa Rica.
Virgin Atlantic
www.virgin-atlantic.com
800-862-8621
Varies
Counts as part of your baggage allowance (one bag for Economy tickets). Your board can’t exceed 75″ x 30″ x 26″ and 50 lbs. If you go over your allowance, the fee is $100 for an additional bag.
Volaris
www.volaris.com
Varies
Depends on domestic vs. international flights, but expect to pay some form of excess fee for surfboards. Up to two boards per passenger. We recommend to purchase the “More Baggage Combo” at the time of booking for $160 ($200 during high season) which includes a piece of sports equipment (8’2″ max. length). See the list in the link above, although the best course of action is to simply call the airline beforehand, so that you don’t get blindsided with an absurd charge at the ticketing counter.