Surfboard Baggage Fees || The Ultimate Guide (2026)

Dan Harmon

Traveling with surfboards? I’ve wasted thousands of dollars on surfboard baggage fees, but here’s a definitive guide so you don’t have to do the same.

North America

Air Canada

Canada’s main airline with frequent flights across North America and further afield. If you can, avoid. Air Canada’s urfboard baggage fee is currently $100 one-way.

American Airlines

American Airlines surfboard baggage policy is that they come as standard checked baggage. However, if your bag weighs over 23kg (and up to 32kg), you are charged an oversized fee. This is charged differently based on exact size and destination. For domestic flights this can be as little as $30 one-way but upto $200 for long-haul international flgihts. Please see this oversize fees page for more information.

Alaska Airlines

On Alaska Airlines, surfboards count as checked baggage, but you need to pay for said baggage. Surfboards must be under 9ft7 in length and weigh under 50lbs (22.6kg). Anything over this is charged as an overweight fee. Please check official airline webiste as some routes have different dimnesion rules.

Delta

On Delta flights, surfboards are considered checked baggage, but you need to purchase the appropriate weight during booking. For domestic flights, this costs $35 for the first bag, but international routes can be a lot more. (See baggage fees here). Boardbag must be under 50lbs (22.6kg), and only two surfboards are allowed per bag. Dimensions cannot exceed 115 linear inches (292 cm). Boards over 100lbs or 115 linear inches arent accpeted.

Jetblue

JetBlue is a tragic airline for surfers. They charge $100 per surfboard–not surfboard bag–per surfboard! Their website states that only one surfboard per bag is allowed. So you either pay crazy fees per surfboard or you’re not allowed to fly. Generally a good airline to avoid when traveling with surfboards

South West Airlines

Southwest Airlines surfboard policy currently carries them as part of your checked baggage. However, this is an extra you need to purchase when booking your flight. Please note that carrying surfboards between the Hawaiian Islands is free. Overweight fees apply ($75) for surfboard bags over 50lbs (22.6kg).

Spirit

Spirit Airlines charges $100 for surfboards (one-way). Bag can’t exceed 100lbs (45kg), and the website states 2 surfboards per bag only. I don’t have personal experience in flying with Spirit, so not sure how strict they are for the amount of boards per bag.

Asia

Air Asia

Air Asia, although it’s what you may consider a budget airline, is pretty good when it comes to surfboards. They have a “complimentary surfboard policy” for flights to/from Australia. Their website wording states 1 surfboard up to 15kg. Bear in mind, that you’ll need to add on extra sports equipment (for a fee) for flights elsewhere in Asia.

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific sucks for surfers. I mean their website wording kinda says it all with “one water surfing board” (158 cm / 62 in of length) with a per-piece system. I’ve never flown with Cathay. But sports equipment is included as checked baggage.

China Air

Ideally, you never wanna be contacting an airline to mess around booking boards onto a flight beforehand, if this is a policy, I don’t want to fly with them. You want to be able to just go to the airport, and either have it booked on already, included, or at the very least it is allowed, but have to pay.

Malaysia

Despite Maylasia being the unluckiest airline on Earth, with missing planes and getting shot down, etc. Flying with them is pretty good. Boards come free as checked baggage, however, this can change depending on location/destination. Must be under 3m in length (118 inches). So make sure you double-check this when you book.

Garuda Indonesia

By far the best airline in Indonesia, Garuda is the best for surfers, and while compared to many of the region’s budget airlines, traveling with Garuda is just more pleasant, and best of all, boards are free! They offer sporting equipment at no extra cost which is made clear on their website. For Economy tickets, you’ll get 30kg of free checked baggage and surfboards are included in this.

Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines SUCK for surfers! Flying between Japan, Asia, Guam, Russia, and Oceania, boards will set you back $ 100 USD. Between Japan, Asia, the Middle East, Hawaii, The Americas, and Europe, those same boards will cost you $200!! Absurd. They also only allow two surfboards per bag. But this is an airline I’d avoid at all costs! I got stung $200 flying from Melbourne to London with Japan Airlines.

Korean Airlines

Korean Airlines take surfboards as part of checked baggage, which you still have to pay for when booking. Boards must also be 23kg under and it within the standard maximum weight requirements.

Lion Air/Batik Air

With Lion Air prices are the same as Wings, but the max board length is 230cm (7.6ft) with jet crafts and 200cm (6.5ft) with propeller aircraft. To make things confusing there is another rule where only five surfboards are allowed on an aircraft. So the way this works is that everyone on the plane bringing surfboards gets allocated one bag, and then if you have more, they get held back and put on the next plane. So yeah, it’s pretty confusing and this is when problems and confusion happen because it gets lost in translation.

Royal Brunei

I’ve never flown personally with Royal Brunei, but boards (sporting equipment come free as checked baggage, and can be a handy airline for traveling between Indo and Aus. Let me know about your experience with Royal Brunei.

Singapore Airlines

Another top quality airline and one in which taking boards is a breeze. Singapore has routes all over, most notably between Europe and Asia. Singapore is a global hub, with flights connecting between Europe, Asia and Oceania. Surfboards are accepted as checked baggage but can’t exceed 200cm in length, 75cm in width, and 80cm in height. This is pretty standard.

Sri Lankan

Sri Lankan is a great airline for surfers and as one of the best Intermediate surf destinations on earth, Sri Lankan Airways make taking boards on a trip (especially if it’s your first time) nice and easy. “Surfboard equipment” is included in the free baggage allowance. A great choice if you’re heading to Sri Lanka!

Super Air Jet

For Super Air Jet flights, they charge per surfboard, and like Lion, this costs 200K IDR per board ($13). I’ve flown with them between Bali and the Mentawais and can confirm this. They didn’t check but when asked I just said I had 3 boards because I have a hard time lying, but you can get away with it. Max of 23kg and 230cm in length, which is separate from your baggage.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways is to be avoided. $150 surfboard fee for most international flights. A board up to 200cm is charged as 1 unit, while a board over 200cm is charged as 2 units.

Trans Nusa

With Trans Nusa, taking surfboards on domestic flights in Indo now costs $20 per surfboard, which has increased from the previous $6 charge.

Wings Air

Unfortunately, Wings Air has increased its surfboard baggage fees, which means island hopping around Indo has just gotten a whole lot more pricey! They now charge $ 65 USD per surfboard, which is extortionate. Worst of all, they do check! You might get away with lying, but it depends on who you get on the desk.

VietJet

If you’re chasing waves around the South China Sea, VietJet is a budget Vietnamese carrier with cheap fares through the region. They carry surfboards, but you need to book the “oversized baggage package”.

Middle East

Emirates

One of the best airlines to fly with surfboards. For most flights surfboards count as your checked baggage on Emirates flights. As is standard for many airlines boardbags cannot exceed 118 linear inches and weigh less than 50lbs (22.5kg).

Etihad

Solid airline for surfers. Surfboards and other water sports equipment are included in the checked baggage allowance. They must be no longer than 300cm. While Etihad tickets are usually more expensive, they’re a solid airline with largely stress-free surfboard travel.

Omani Air

I’ve never flown with Omani Air, but surfboards are considered special baggage and come as part of your checked luggage. They must adhere to standard baggage sizes though and must be carried in a “rigid case” is their official website wording. Please let me know in the comments if you’ve flown with Omani before!

Qatar

Next up we have one of my favorite airlines, Qatar. I’ve flown with Qatar a bunch of times (Between Aus and UK and Indo) and never had issues. Surfboards are classed as checked baggage but must be less than 3 meters in length. Qatar is an all-around good airline, but I think rules can change depending on the location, so be sure to check this before booking!

Scoot

While you’ll need to purchase baggage when you book (it doesn’t come free), sporting equipment is included in this. You can purchase up to 40kg when you book. Their website states Sporting equipment such as golf clubs, surfboards, canoes, diving apparel, skis, and bicycles counts toward your pre-purchased baggage allowance.

Oceania

Fiji Airways

Despite being a world-renowned surf destination, Fiji Airways charges $150 per surfboard bag (one-way). However, Fiji Airways surfboard policy changes depending on the exact route, so check carefully when booking.

Hawaiian

Hawaiian Airlines recently changed thier surfboard baggage policy to accept surfboards free as checked baggage. After years of public scrutiny from surfers, Hawaiian Airlines have listened!

Qantas

Boards come free as checked baggage with Australia’s top airline. Officially, they are only accepted if enclosed in a surfboard bag and do not exceed 32kg (70lb) in weight and 277cm (109in) in length. Generally a solid airline for surf travel.

Tahiti Nui

Tahiti Nui is one of the best airlines for chasing waves in the Pacific. Boards are free as checked baggage with a standard maximum weight of 23kg, sports equipment (surfboards) is included in your standard baggage allowance. One or more boards can be carried in the same bag. A weight limit of 32kg and length of 250cm applies!

Air New Zealand

New Zealand’s national airline is a great choice for surfers, which is just as well, because they fly between major surf destinations across New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. Sporting equipment (including surfboards) less than 2m (78.7”) and up to 23kg is included as a standard bag. Extra fees apply if you go overweight, so be careful with your boardbag weight.

Jet Star

Jetstar is Australia’s largest budget airline and for domestic flights around the country or hopping over to NZ and Indo, Jetstar is a favorite. Boards are accepted on Jetstar flights but must come under the standard dimension requirements and the weight you’re allowed is how much checked baggage you purchase on booking. Jetstar also slaps on a $25 “handling fee” for sporting equipment. So you pay for your weight and the handling fee. Check the weight prices via the link in the description.

Virgin Australia

For Virgin Australia, sports equipment can be checked in as oversized baggage, but must not exceed your weight allowance. (Overweight fees apply). Your oversized item (surfboard) is included as free baggage.

Want a bit of this? Always check surfboard baggage policies to avoid a surpise sting!

South America

Avianca

South American airline with dozens of routes between top Latin American surf destinations. Surfboards (up to 3 per bag) are charged at $100. If you book at the desk, it’s $120. Not cheap, but sometimes you have to bite the bullet.

Copa Airlines

Another Latin American airline, that has flights between Central and South America. I’ve flown with Copa a few times between Mexico, Panama, and Ecuador and found the airline ok, although it always involved paying for boards. There is a flat fee of $150 for surfboard bags (sports equipment fee) and their website states you must reserve ahead via phone. I’ve never done this the couple of times I flew with them and was always allowed on but this is something to bear in mind!

LATAM

I’ve flown with LATAM a few times, around South America and their policy on surfboards is as follows. Surf equipment is allowed but must be in one bag with a maximum of three boards. LATAM is a little complicated as the price you pay for boards depends on both the origin and destination. Generally speaking, it’s around $50 each way on domestic flights and $100 on international, but be sure to check this when you book as it can change.

Volaris

A South American airline with routes to some of South America’s top surf destinations. You can take boards, but you’ll need to pay for the sports equipment fee! You’ll need to buy something called the more baggage combo for $160 to take boards! But check when you book as this is one of those confusing airlines where rules change depending on location.

Europe

Aegean Airlines

Aegean Airlines offers a structured policy for transporting surfboards, categorizing them based on size and weight. For surfboards up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) in length and weighing between 15 to 32 kilograms (33 to 70 pounds), the fee is €60–€70 (approximately $65–$75 USD) per flight segment. Surfboards exceeding 2 meters in length incur a higher fee of €100 (around $110 USD).

Austrian Airlines

While Austria isn’t on anyone’s surf trip bucket list, they have routes across Europe, including some of Europe’s top surf destinations. However, you’ll generally want to avoid flying with them with fees like this. Surfboard baggage fees come in at $87 within Europe, $109 for the Middle East, and up to $272 for long-haul international flights.

Air France

Taking surfboards with Air France ain’t cheap. Their website states that boards under 3.5ft (107cm), so unless you ride a bodyboard, you’ll need to pay. For lghts within Europe, your boardbag will cost $71, whereas further afield will set you back $100-=$125 for a one-way trip.

British Airways

British Airways is one of the most surfboard-friendly airlines out there! Their website states “If it fits in your checked baggage allowance, it’s free”. Bags must be under 190cm in length, and in a protective bag (obviously) and the site does say clothes and other items must not be in the surfboard bag. But I don’t know if this is something they check! I should also mention longboards and bigger boards need to be booked as cargo!

Easy Jet

Europe is epic for cheap, fast flights, Portugal, UK, Ireland, France, and Canaries, are all top surf destinations you can fly between for under $100. Easy Jet accepts surfboards but must be within your allocated weight limit 23Kg. I’ve flown with EasyJet more times than I care to admit, and usually pay £37 for “small sports equipment” online. Make sure it’s underweight though, as if it isn’t you’ll be stung with a £12 per kilo charge, a lot if you’re a few kilos over! And they can be strict. So Easy Jet is okay, and I like to think of it as one of the better budget Euro airlines. And yeah, $45 is pretty tolerable.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa, a German airline is pretty terrible for surfers, as they charge exterminate fees for boards, which vary depending on the sizes and so this is a company I’d avoid!! Their site states you “can easily take sports equipment with you” which is all well and good until they slap you with hundreds of dollars for pleasure.

For European routes, it costs around $92, Middle Eastern, African, and Asian $115, and for long intercontinental routes, upwards of $150, $200 +. Yeah, just avoid these guys!

KLM

I’ve flown with KLM a few times and never had any issues. You can bring surfboards on KLM flights instead of checked luggage. Note, you’ll need to make a reservation if it’s over 107cm. But again, a great airline, With routes all over!!

Ryan Air

Another budget European airline, Ryan Air has some stupidly cheap flights across Europe. We’re talking under $10 for some places. I even flew with them from the UK to Fuerteventura for $30 once. But like all budget airlines you’ll pay for boards.

Generally, boards cost around $55-60euro to book online. Make sure you do this online though as it gets bumped up if you do it at the airport and as always make sure it’s under your allocated weight. But if you can score a cheap flight this is one of the rare occasions where it can still work out affordably even after adding boards. For instance, a $30 flight plus $55 for boards is still pretty cheap!

TAP Portugal

TAP Air is a popular Portuguese airline with routes around Europe, so if you wanna go and surf sick waves in Portugal, chances are you’ll have flown with or have seen this airline. While the exact price you pay for boards with TAP depends on the origins and destination, booking surfboards online beforehand will cost around $ 77 USD or $83 at the airport. The wording on their website says you must also fill out a form declaring surfboards, but I’ve never had to do this.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air is, without a doubt, the WORST airline I’ve ever flown with. It’s a European budget airline with routes all over Europe. While the fares are attractive when you book (super low), you end up paying for both your checked baggage and sports equipment separately.

Also, they just suck to deal with. I once had a connecting flight with them to Tel Aviv, the first of which they canceled, which meant I missed the connection (for which they weren’t liable) so I had to book both flights again out of my pocket, pad $60 for boards on both flights and a change fee. On the way back, they also lost my boards, (which I needed for another trip the day after) and there was no one from the company I could contact. Avoid at all costs! I’ll die before I fly with Wizz Air again!

Africa

Royal Air Maroc

I’ve never flown with Royal Air Maroc, but judging by their website, I never will either. For sporting equipment up to 23kg/158cm will set you back $ 180 USD. Up to 32kg and 203cm will set you back $320 and 300cm an insane $350! Insane. I never have nor will fly with these guys! But if you have please let me know if this is correct!!

South African Airlines

Surfboards are included in the free baggage allowance on all SAA-operated flights. (Not always on codeshare flights). Must be under 200cm. I’ve not spent enough time in South Africa to have flown with these guys, so if you’re from there or have flown with them, please let me know what they’re like!

Final Words

Please note that these fees are based on research at the time of writing and are subject to change. Airlines also have different rules depending on routes, so it is always a good idea to check surfboard baggage policies before flying with surfboards. I would advise contacting any airline directly if their surfboard policy is not explicitly stated on their website. *Some prices are approximate USD conversions from local currencies.

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