Surfer dudes and dudettes take note: United Airlines has dropped the fees it charges to check your surfboard – if you’re flying direct to or from California.
(Photo: Surf Sirens, by Ray Leighton. Via Flickr Commons, courtesy National Library of Australia)
Noting that surfing was recently named California’s official state sport, United Airlines is no longer charging surfers traveling to or from California (only) a $150 or $200 special fee to check surfboards, wakeboards or paddleboards.
Instead, only the regular checked bag fees will apply.
United’s new policy only applies to direct flights into or out of the Golden State.
As California’s global airline, we knew what we had to do when surfing was named the state sport: waive the service fees for surfboards, on all flights, to or from California. #Stoked 🏄♀️🏄🤙
— United Airlines (@united) October 4, 2018
Flying with your surfboard on another airline? Here’s what it will cost:
Alaska Airlines: surfboards/paddleboards (and may other pieces of sports equipment) flies as regular checked baggage.
American Airlines: $150 surfboards, kiteboards, waveboards, and wave skis.
Delta Air Lines: $150 USD/CAD for travel to all regions (excluding Europe and North Africa)
Hawaiian Airlines: $35 to neighbor island; $100 to other North American destinations.
JetBlue: $100.
Southwest: $75.
Have you traveled with a surfboard? Please share your tips for getting sports equipment on and off planes safely.