Airlines reserve the right to develop their own baggage policies, allowing for much disparity between them. Airline surfboard fees can change at any time. At times, airlines may charge per board as opposed to per bag, especially if you are carrying 3 or more boards. Please be advised that airlines are not always consistent about how much they charge or when they charge. Bring extra money or a credit card in case you're charged excessive board fees. Airlines are clamping down more and more on excess baggage.
Below is a list of airlines and their charges for carrying surfboards. We do our best to keep this information as accurate as possible. If you've been on a recent trip, please submit a board fee report.
Always call before booking to confirm the going rate, number of boards per bag and any embargos. But remember, even if you call ahead and confirm over the phone how much an airline charges in excess baggage fees, you may still find yourself being stuck at the ticket window with a ridiculous surcharge, and no, it doesn't matter what you were told on the phone.
Smile as you check in. Be chatty and friendly. There doesn't seem to be much of a fixed policy, so it's really the luck of the draw. Being nice and making friends definitely helps.
| Airline |
Fee |
Notes |
| Aero California |
$35 |
|
| AeroMexico |
$50 |
One-way per board |
| Air France |
$55 |
|
| Air New Zealand |
Free |
As part of your two-bag limit, otherwise $80 |
| Alaska |
$50/$75 |
Under 80", $50 one way
Over 80" $75 one way |
American Airlines
|
$80 |
One-way per bag under 75 lbs
Embargoes
American Eagle (a branch of American Airlines) does not allow boards on flights. |
American West
|
$75 |
One-way per board |
| ATA/Pleasant Hawaiian |
$25 |
|
| British Airways |
Free |
Usually does not charge for boards on international flights, even boards over 8' |
| China Air |
$54.50 |
With two bags. |
| Continental |
$80 |
One-way per board.
Embargos |
| COPA |
$50 |
One-way per board (limit one) |
| Delta |
$80 |
One-way per board
Embargoes |
| Hawaiian Air |
$80 |
Two boards per bag |
| Iberia |
$100 to 150 |
One-way per board
Embargoes |
| Japan Air |
$42/$84 |
Under 108", $42
Over 108" $84 |
| Jet Blue |
$25 |
One-way per board |
| Korean Air |
$100-$150 |
Depends on the destination |
| Lacsa |
$35 |
$50 each way per bag
Only 2 boards per bag |
| Lan Chile |
$120 |
One-way per board |
| Lufthansa |
$10 per kg |
Charge $10 per kg. |
| Malaysian |
$109 |
|
| Mexicana |
$45 |
|
| Northwest |
$80 |
One-way per board |
| Quantas |
Free |
As part of your two bag limit. Otherwise, $33 each way; or $92 for boards over 10' |
| Singapore |
$135 |
Per board each way |
| Southwest |
$45 |
No charge. Does not count against the three piece free baggage allowance |
| TACA |
$50 |
$50 one-way per board (limit 2)
Embargoes |
| Thai |
$109 |
|
| TWA |
$75 |
|
| United |
$75 |
Each way per board. Excess baggage embargo from Nov. 1st to Jan. 13th |
| USA3000 |
$75 |
Each way |
| USAir |
NA |
NA |
| Varig |
$42.50/$85 |
Under 109", $42.50 each way
Over 109", $85 each way |
| Virgin Atlantic |
$50/$100 |
Under 109", $50
Over 109 inches, $100 |
|
|
| Airline Report |
Very friendly
 |
 |
British Airways
|
|
Garuda
|
|
Qantas
|
|
Tap
|
Friendly
|
|
Aero California
|
|
Air Lanka
|
|
Air New Zealand
|
|
Jal
|
|
Lacsa
|
|
Lufthansa
|
|
Taca
|
|
Varig
|
Unfriendly
|
|
Aero Mexico
|
|
Air France
|
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American
|
|
Aom
|
|
Cathay
|
|
Lan Chile
|
|
Malaysian
|
|
Mexicana
|
|
TWA
|
Very unfriendly
|
|
Continental
|
|
Delta
|
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Iberia
|
|
KLM
|
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SAA
|
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Singapore
|
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United
|
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