Going on a trip during a summer vacation after a long exam session is extremely exciting and relieving. But packing for the journey can be a headache, especially when skateboarding is your hobby and you might have to take a flight.
So can you bring a skateboard on a plane? Well in short. But the way you travel with a skateboard varies according to the airlines you use. Some let you carry a skateboard with you, some only let you carry it on baggage.
It might seem overwhelming to find a pattern in the Airline’s policy, but do not worry, I shall walk you through all of it.
What do all airline policies say? Can You Bring a Skateboard on a Plane?
If you’re asking yourself, “can I take my skateboard on a plane?” almost all airlines allow you to carry them on a carry-on or checked baggage. Even then, there are some regulations.
If a specific airline allows you to carry a skateboard as a carry-on baggage item, it must not exceed 45 inches or 115 cm in length. If they allow you to carry your skateboard on baggage altogether, the baggage must not exceed the weight limit. Or else an additional fee must be paid.
Packing the skateboard in baggage, it is generally recommended to disassemble the skateboard. It helps when fitting the skateboard inside the luggage. Also, it won’t create a hump over the luggage.
Rules And Regulations of TSA (Transport Security Administration)
We have briefly discussed the rules enforced in most airports and airlines about skateboarding. They all follow set rules and regulations by TSA.
Airline Policies for Different Airlines
As already stated, different airlines have different policies. And that remains true about skateboards too. It certainly is a hassle to browse all the airline policies.
So I have compiled a list of the most active and popular airlines in the USA and nearby to help you with your journey.
01. Air Canada
- Means of Travel: Carry-on or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $100 to $105 (if exceeds the minimum allowance)
- Restrictions: Weighs less than 60 pounds and has a length of fewer than 62 inches
So Air Canada would let you travel with a skateboard on carry-on baggage or on checked baggage. But the fins must be removed. And the skateboard must weigh less than 60 pounds and has a length of fewer than 62 inches to be allowed on carry-on baggage.
Otherwise, it must be disassembled and taken on checked baggage. Exceeding the weight allowance would cost you about 100 USD.
02. Alaska Airlines
- Means of Travel: Checked Baggage only
- Charges: $40
- Restrictions: Must be cushioned and packed properly with soft materials
Alaska Airlines would only let you carry your skateboard on checked baggage. But it must be properly packed and cushioned during check-in for safety during take-off and landing of a flight.
A link for further queries about this topic is provided right here.
03. Allegiant Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $50 to $75
- Restrictions: Must be disassembled
Allegiant Airlines will let you carry your skateboard on carry-on baggage only if it is disassembled and the fins and wheels are not exposed. Also, they let you carry a maximum of 40 pounds (18 kg) without any charges.
But exceeding that will cost you $50 for baggage of weight 40 to 70 pounds (18 kg to 32 kg). And $75 for baggage of 71 to 100 pounds (32 kg to 45.4 kg).
04. American Airlines
- Means of Travel: Checked Baggage
- Charges: $30 to $110 (depending on the number of baggage)
- Restrictions: Must have a fixed dimension
You must take your skateboard via checked baggage. However, there are no restrictions regarding carrying a skateboard other than having a fixed dimension. It must have under 320 cm (126 inches) of combined length, width, and height.
But if you have crossed the weight limit for your baggage, you must pay the fee for one additional baggage to carry your skateboard. The weight limit is about 100 pounds (45 kg).
05. Delta Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $40 (exceeds baggage load)
- Restrictions: Must have a fixed dimension
Delta Airlines provides all the services regarding carrying a skateboard that an airline can provide. But like American Airlines, it too obligates you to carry a skateboard of a fixed dimension.
The combined length, width, and, height of the skateboard must be under 158 cm (62 inches).
06. Frontier Airlines
- Means of Travel: Checked Baggage
- Charges: $75 (exceeds weight limit)
- Restrictions: None
Frontier airlines have no linear restrictions over carrying a skateboard. But they certainly are strict about checked baggage that you can carry onto your flight.
Any additional checked baggage in which you may carry your skateboard must be within 160 cm to 204 cm, if not less. So be careful about the dimension of your skateboard.
07. Hawaiian Airlines
- Means of Travel: Checked Baggage
- Charges: $25 to $50 (For Travelling within The State of Hawaii), $30 to $100 (For Travelling outside The State of Hawaii)
- Restrictions: None
Just like Frontier Airlines, Hawaii Airlines have no standard restrictions over skateboards as long as they maintain the checked baggage dimension and weight boundary.
08. JetBlue Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $150 (exceeds checked baggage weight limit)
- Restrictions: Must be under 22 inches long
Jetblue Airlines let you carry your skateboard as a carry-on baggage item as long as it is under 22 inches long.
It must be taken into the checked baggage if it exceeds the length limit. Keep in mind, though, exceeding the weight limit would cost you an additional $150.
09. Southwest Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $50 to $75 (depending on your baggage weight)
- Restrictions: Must be stored with the wheels upwards if carried as a carry-on baggage item
Southwest Airlines is very flexible in letting you carry your skateboard onto a flight. They let you keep your skateboard, albeit if it meets the size requirement, under your seat.
But the wheels must be stowed upwards so that it does not roll. The size requirement is about 30 inches as a linear length.
10. Spirit Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $69 to $150 (depending on your extra baggage weight)
- Restrictions: No electric skateboard
Spirit Airlines are also very generous about carrying your skateboard onto a flight. Beware, though, they won’t permit an electric skateboard. Also, you are good to go as long as your skateboard fits under your seat and the wheels are stored.
If you would like to take your skateboard via checked baggage, make sure your checked baggage does not exceed the weight limit. Otherwise, an additional fee will be issued.
11. United Airlines
- Means of Travel: Carry-on Baggage or Checked Baggage
- Charges: $200
- Restrictions: Must have a fixed dimension if carried as a carry-on baggage
United Airlines is also one of the very few airlines that are very flexible in carrying your skateboard on board. If you want to carry your skateboard as carry-on baggage, it must have a maximum combined dimension (length + width + height) of about 45 inches.
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How To Bring A Skateboard On A Plane?
So, how to bring a skateboard on a plane? Normally there are two ways an airline lets you carry them onto your flight. One way is by Carry-on Baggage. Simply put, the airlines let you carry your skateboard onto the flight.
Another is by Checked Baggage. Through this, the airlines permit you to pack your skateboard onto your luggage to be taken onto the flight as checked baggage.
I shall share the rules you should follow on how to make the most out of the Carry-on and Checked Baggage policy.
1) Disassembling The Skateboard
If your airline does not have a carry-on policy for skateboards, disassembling your skateboard and packing it into luggage is your best bet. It also applies if the airlines do permit a carry-on policy for your skateboard, but your board is too big and heavy.
To disassemble, just remove the screws that may separate your board into smaller sections. Do not unscrew the screws on the main board, though! And pack your screws in a separate plastic bag at your convenience.
2) Pick The Skateboard In A Bigger Bag
If your skateboard is packed into your luggage, and it just fits right, then grabbing a big plastic bag is the play. Within the plastic bag, cushion your board so that any foreseeable accidents on a flight may be avoided.
3) Telling The Airlines Beforehand
It is always a good courtesy to inform beforehand to the airlines that you are bringing a skateboard. Since it is a pretty unusual item on a flight, telling them beforehand would save you any hassle later.
4) Follow Airlines Guidelines
If you want to carry your skateboard without any issues, make sure to follow the airline’s rules and regulations. Most airlines would let you carry any sports equipment you want without hassle if you followed their guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here I will try to answer some of the most frequently asked questions to cover any remaining doubts in the readers’ minds.
Are there any differences between domestic vs. international flights?
Apart from the change in pricing, no. Of all the airlines listed above, most airlines would let you carry your skateboard onto domestic and international flights.
Can You Bring Skateboard Parts and Accessories on a Plane?
Yes, as long as it does not have a battery above the allowance, you can bring skateboard parts and accessories on a plane.
Can You Bring a Longboard on a Plane?
Yes, but only if disassembled and packed into your luggage. Almost no airline would let you carry it as a carry-on baggage item.
Can You Take an Electric Skateboard on a Plane?
If you’re wondering if you can take an electric skateboard on a plane, then yes. You are allowed to carry onto an airplane in most airlines as carry-on baggage or checked baggage.
However, the battery on the electric skateboard must be between 100Wh to 159Wh or less.
Conclusion
We have thoroughly discussed on can you bring a skateboard on a plane. And to conclude, yes! You can bring a skateboard to your flight if you maintain their laws and regulations.
Traveling is very fun and exciting, it multiplies if we can carry our skateboard around to skate. And hopefully, by means of good airlines, you too will enjoy your trip and skateboarding worldwide.