After you choose the best airline, your next worry is whether your boards arrive in one piece.
Every overseas surf trip usually starts and ends with gripes about surfboard baggage fees. We complain that it’s unfair and outrageous (because it is), but let’s face it, prices are only going up from here, so it’s time we do a little research before we go. Here we’ve provided you with a comprehensive breakdown of fees, so the next time you get slapped with a $400 one-way fee, the only person to blame is yourself. *Be sure to note which airlines charge PER BAG and which charge PER BOARD. (Fees are accurate as of 1/17/13)
AIRLINE
|
FIRST BAG
|
ADD’T. BAG
|
SURFBOARD
|
NOTES
|
| Aeromexico | $0 | $0 | $76/bag | Max length: 9′ |
| Air Canada | $0-$25 | $35-$100 | $50/board | WILL NOT accept bags over 6’6″ |
| Air France | $0 | $75-100 | $55-150* | *Depending on destination |
| Air New Zealand | $0 | $150 | $0* | *Free if only checked bag, otherwise $150/bag |
| Air Pacific | $0 | $0 | $50/bag | Max length: 9’6” |
| Air Tahiti Nui | $0 | $75 | $0* | If under 6’6″. If over, $150/bag. |
| American (US or PR) | $25 | $35 | $150/bag | Max weight: 70 lbs. |
| American (to/from Mexico) | $0 | $40 | $150/bag | Max weight: 70 lbs. |
| American (to/from Europe) | $0 | $60 | $150/bag | Max weight: 70 lbs. |
| Alaska Airlines | $20 | $20 | $50/bag up to 6’6″, $75/bag 6’7″+ | Max length: 9’6″ |
| British Airways | $0 | $0 | $0* | *WILL NOT carry boards over 6’3″ |
| China Airlines | $0 | $0 | $150/board for under 9′, $225/board for 9′+* | Varies slightly by destination |
| Continental (US, PR, Canada) | $25 | $35 | $100/bag* | *$200 if over 70 lbs.; Max length: 9’6″ |
| Continental (International) | $0 | $40 | $200/bag* | *$400 if over 70 lbs.; Max length: 9’6″ |
| COPA | $0 | $0 | $75/bag* | *Two boards max per bag |
| Delta Airlines (within US and Canada) | $25 | $35 | $150/bag* | *2 boards per bag max; Max size: 9’6″ and 70 lbs. |
| Delta (to/from Caribbean) | $25 | $40 | $150/bag* | *2 boards per bag max; Max size: 9’6″ and 70 lbs. |
| Delta (to/from Europe, S. and Central America) | $0 | 40-$100 | $150/bag* | *2 boards per bag max; Max size: 9’6″ and 70 lbs. |
| Delta (to/from Brazil) | $0 | $0 | $100/bag* | *2 boards per bag max; Max size: 9’6″ and 70 lbs. |
| Hawaiian (interisland) | $17 | $17 | $25/bag | *Two boards max. per bag |
| Hawaiian (to/from North America) | $25 | $35 | $100/bag* | *Two boards max. per bag |
| Hawaiian (International) | $0 | $0 | $100/bag* | *Two boards max. per bag |
| Interjet | $0 | $0 | $0 | (None) |
| JetBlue | $0 | $30 | $50/board | (None) |
| Korean Air | $0 | $0 | $200/bag | (None) |
| LAN | $0 | $0 | $0* | *$50 if exceeds 50 lbs. |
| Qantas | $0 | $0 | $0* | *If included in baggage allowance. Cannot exceed 9′ |
| South African Airways | $0 | $0 | $0* | *WILL NOT carry boards over 6’6″ |
| Southwest | $0 | $0 | $75/bag | (None) |
| TACA | $0 | $0 | $125/bag* | *Three boards max. per bag. |
| United Airlines (Domestic) | $25 | $35 | $100/bag | Max length: 9’6″ |
| United (to/from Europe) | $0 | $100 | $200/bag | Max length: 9’6″ |
| United (to/from Mexico) | $0 | $40 | $200/bag | Max length: 9’6″ |
| United (to/from other international destinations) | $0 | $0 | $200/bag | Max length: 9’6″ |
| US Airways (Americas) | $25 | $35 | $200/board | (None) |
| US Airways (Transatlantic) | $0 | $100 | $200/board | (None) |
| Virgin America | $25 | $25 | $50/board | *Additional charge if more than 50 lbs. |
| Virgin America (Domestic) | $25 | $25 | $50/board | *Additional charge if more than 50 lbs. |
| Virgin Atlantic (International) | $0 | $60 | $0* | *If included in baggage allowance. |
| Virgin Australia | $0 | $0 | $0* | *If included in baggage allowance. |
