Can I Bring A Skateboard On A Plane?
Last Updated on December 16, 2022 by BoardsRiding
Skateboarding when travelling is an awesome experience. You feel calmer as a result. Furthermore, it keeps you somewhat physically active. We must not forget that skateboards also have mobility issues.
Understanding the restrictions, or whether your skateboard and other equipment can be taken in your carry-on luggage, is important whether you’re going on a trip for fun or competing in a sport and want to enjoy it to the fullest.
You should have looked up a lot of the rules governing bringing a skateboard on an aero plane, but if you haven’t found anything close to a satisfying response yet, don’t be disheartened. Can you bring a skateboard on a plane?
There’re guidelines for bringing a skateboard on a plane, in addition to various packing suggestions. Here, you will find detailed instructions on how to pack and carry skateboards on an airplane.
Can I Bring A Skateboard On A Plane?
Yes, you’re permitted to bring a skateboard as both checked and carry-on luggage. There’re a few limitations, nonetheless, that you need to adhere to. The TSA has given the skateboard the all-clear to go through security, and you’re free to travel with it on an aircraft as it is allowed to be checked in as well as brought on board as carry-on luggage.
You still must take the airline’s policies into consideration in order to bring your travel companion with you. Skateboards are generally permitted on airplanes; however, it is always advisable to verify the airline’s luggage policies or contact authorities while purchasing a ticket. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises once you’re going through security or boarding the aircraft.
You can take a skateboard as a carry-on item on an aero plane. If such a skateboard is the exact size to fit beneath the seat, a bag could be necessary to keep it safe. Whether you’re flying locally, you will generally have no problems; however, if you’re flying internationally, you may experience some problems.
To prevent rolling, always store your skateboard with the wheels up. As every airline has a different set of rules, it also depends on the carrier. You must check with the airline to determine whether you can bring your skateboard before anything else.
They must inform you whether or not you may bring your skateboard on board, when it will fit in the overhead compartment if it needs to be checked as luggage, and what the fees and regulations are. This authorization, however, is subject to further size and weight restrictions.
Size
The size of your suitcase must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9.
Weight
You should ensure that your luggage does not weigh over 35 to 40 pounds in order to be on the safe side.
Also Read This: Best Cameras For Skateboarding In 2023
What Does TSA Say About Bringing A Skateboard On A Plane?
The transportation security agency, or TSA, is in charge of enforcing safety rules. The TSA has given the all-clear to bring skateboards on board aero planes because of their size, shape, and safety considerations.
The TSA has issued guidelines for skating on aero planes on their official website. When it comes to the onboard skateboard, it appears that there’re no issues regarding what the airlines are permitting.
Bringing A Skateboard On An Aircraft
Let’s now understand certain factors that impact our luggage at the airport while discussing how to bring a skateboard on a plane.
- Transportation safety
- carried-on or checked?
- Charges
- Limitations
1: Transportation Safety
Because airlines are ultimately in charge of what you’re allowed to bring on an aircraft, a higher authority—your state’s transport security agency—performs the same function. However, most authorities, like the TSA, don’t seem to have a problem with people taking skateboards on aero planes. Furthermore, weight and size restrictions for packages are governed by airline laws.
2: Carried-on or Checked?
We have to check the airline’s regulations in this regard concerning the transportation of items like skateboards. Despite thousands of assertions on Reddit that a skateboard is permitted on aero planes, it remains best to double-check with the governing airlines to avoid potential misunderstandings. Skateboards are only accepted as carry-on luggage by a select few airlines. Furthermore, if you go with it, doing this requires more detailed instructions from the airlines.
3: Charges
Could you transport skateboards on an aero plane without being charged? No, not always. Several airlines waive the fee for the first checked bag. Thus, you can save money by travelling with your skateboard as your first checked bag.
4: Limitations
Weight and size are important in this area. Permitting large or heavy unchecked objects into the aircraft, no airline wants to endanger the safety of its passengers.
How To Bring A Skateboard On A Flight
Disassembling your skateboard is the ideal technique for transporting it on a plane. If you’re using a skateboard backpack, you carry your trucks in it and put your skateboard deck inside it. When you don’t have a bag, you may browse for backpacks with straps or use a duffel bag with straps. Now let us say we’re unaware of the airline’s skateboard regulations. Learn how to move our equipment safely by reading the information below.
- Make a call to your airline.
- Review the airline regulations.
- wrapping up
1: Make A Call To Your Airline
Of course, you don’t want to arrive at the airport dejected and helpless because you were unable to board your skateboard. So, be sure to call your airlines and get permission to bring your skateboard before you begin making travel plans. Sometimes, calling them doesn’t work. Do all you can to follow up frequently until you receive the response you need.
2: Review The Airline Regulations
If an airline granted your request, they might require you to follow their regulations while bringing equipment, including skateboards. As previously mentioned, airline operators provide precise measurements of size and weight to ensure compliance.
Therefore, carefully ensure that the numbers on your skateboard match the airline’s guidelines. You must prepare to at least pay for extra expenditures when you’re too big or too heavy.
3: Wrapping Up Review The Airline Regulations
Need a bag ready to hold your skateboard? It could be a duffel bag that fits your deck or a skateboard bag you purchased. When neither bag is available, a backpack could also be used. Some companies make bags that have skateboard straps on the back, allowing you to slip your skateboard inside.
Furthermore, several skaters who commute advocate removing the wheels and trucks. Although this hack could be useful, not everyone is keen on using it because reassembly is required later.
What Does It Cost To Take A Skateboard On A Plane?
As long as it fits within the parameters of your luggage allowance, you’re free to check your skateboard. You only need to pay for the extra weight if it exceeds the weight of your entire luggage. Furthermore, packing for electric skateboards may differ slightly.
You must take your skateboard’s lithium batteries out, particularly if they’re equipped. For safety reasons, these batteries may therefore be transported in a carry-on in the cabin.
The “Skateboard Policies” of Airlines.
Pay particular attention to which airlines encourage you to check your skateboard versus which airlines allow you to transport it as carry-on hand luggage. Let’s examine some well-known airlines and their policies:
- American Air
- Allegiant Air
- Spirit Airlines
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- Jet Blue
- United Airlines
- Frontier
- Hawaiian Airlines
1: American Air
You can bring one skateboard as long as it weighs no more than 50 pounds and is no longer than 62 inches. You would be charged a baggage fee, and additional fees for luggage could also be incurred.
2: Allegiant Air
Your skateboard may fit in both your carry-on and checked luggage.
3: Spirit Airlines
Since it cannot be stowed in the overhead bin and needs to be checked, pack your skateboard carefully.
4: Southwest Airlines
All your carry-on and checked bags would be able to fit your skateboard.
5: Delta Airlines
Skateboards that follow the guidelines for checked luggage would be accepted by Delta. Boards are both checkable and carry-on eligible.
6: Alaska Airlines
Your board might well be checked and taken as carry-on luggage. Skateboards are allowed if they meet the weight and dimension standards and are handled the same as any other luggage.
7: Jet Blue
Skateboards are allowed in checked bags but not with carryones.
8: United Airlines
Skateboards could be checked with United Airlines as long as they don’t have any motors. Boards with electricity are not permitted.
9: Frontier
Skateboards are allowed in checked bags but not within luggage.
10: Hawaiian Airlines
Your checked suitcase is permitted to contain your skateboard, but not your carry-on.
Can You Take Electric Skateboards On Planes?
In accordance with TSA regulations, you’re allowed to bring an electric skateboard as a carry-on item only if the battery capacity is less than 100 Wh. You need airline certification when your electric skateboard has a battery capacity of somewhere between 101 and 160 Wh.
It is prohibited to use an electric skateboard with a battery capacity greater than 160 Wh. Your electric skateboard will not be accepted as checked luggage in any circumstances.
Furthermore, due to its size, each airline has a different regulation whenever it comes to permitting you to transport an electric skateboard as a carry-on.
Traveling With A Skateboard: Some Advice
- Board the plane early:
- Disassemble The Skateboard
- Purchase a backpack or skateboard bag:
- Compile the Board
- Identify Your Skateboard During Check-In
- Obtain A Larger Bag
- Travel Light
1: Board the Plane Early
Nowadays, a lot of airlines demand that you pay extra for priority boarding. This is definitely worthwhile whether you’re flying with a skateboard, because you’ll be confident that there’s room for it in the overhead bin.
2: Disassemble The Skateboard
Disassemble your skateboard when checking it in your luggage once you’re ready to start your journey. The wheels need to be taken off first. Turn the skateboard upside-down and hold it by the deck to achieve this (this is the part you stand on). Then, using a screwdriver, release the bolts holding each wheel to the trucks (these’re the metal parts that connect your wheels to the deck).
When removing all four bolts, you can lift off each wheel and store it carefully. Remove any protruding components, including wheels and trucks, from the board. Put them in your checked luggage before wrapping them in bubble wrap or another type of packaging.
3: Compile The Board
Before traveling, clean the skateboard. If you have a bag, place the deck and wheels inside of it. If not, lay the wheels within the deck or on top of it, separating them with adequate padding to prevent damage. To prevent damage during transportation, place the skateboard in a strong cardboard box or hard-shell case and fill any empty spaces with bubble wrap or packing paper.
To keep it obvious to baggage handlers that your bag needs extra caution, mark the outside with “FRAGILE.”As an alternative, tightly wrap your skateboard’s deck in several layers of bubble wrap or other packing material. To keep the board from coming apart, tape it together. Put this in a sizable box made from cardboard with padding on the bottom and sides.
Fill any empty area with packing peanuts or other packing materials so there’s no space between the box and its contents. Tape the box shut using a strong adhesive.
4: Identify Your Skateboard During Check-In
Before checking your bags, let the airline desk clerk know that you’re packing a skateboard. The airline may have to check that your skateboard is packed securely for the flight, even if it is not necessary to declare it.
5: Obtain A Larger Bag
Let’s be honest for a second: it’s extremely uncool to have to check your board so it won’t fit in a regular-sized bag. Airlines are basically telling you that you don’t deserve to have your luggage on the aircraft. And that’s simply wrong!
What’re we going to do as a result? Quit skating? No way! Even if it requires you to constantly check your board and carry a large bag throughout the day, you won’t give up on your desire.
6: Travel Light
You must check your skateboard as luggage when you intend to travel with it. If brought on as a carry-on item, there’s a chance that it may get damaged during the flight. While checking in your skateboard, you may reduce any potential damage by packing lightly.
Does A Skateboard Qualify As A Carry-On Or Personal Item?
Personal items must normally fit underneath the seat in front of you and have a maximum size of 17 inches long, 10 inches wide, and 9 inches high. The standard size limit for carry-on luggage is 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches high. There’s absolutely no chance that your skateboard would qualify as a personal item, as most skateboards are usually between 28 and 32 inches long.
But some airlines, including Allegiant, Delta, Southwest, and United, will let you bring your skateboard on the plane as a carry-on item. This is due to the fact that airlines do make exceptions whenever it comes to carry-on items. If you wish to bring your skateboard as a carry-on, you might have to pay extra for overhead bin space.
FAQs:
Final Verdict:
Can I bring a skateboard on a plane? Skateboards should offer as much adventure as you do, even if that means flying. Security precautions include all kinds of restrictions. If the authorities appear overly strict whenever it comes to using skateboards or other similar items, don’t take it personally.
Skateboards are allowed on board and through security, but you must take into account the size and weight restrictions for your airline’s checked baggage. You may bring your skateboard on board as carry-on luggage or as checked baggage, although most airlines would count it as ordinary checked baggage, in which case the same regulations as for suitcases will apply.
Because the majority of skateboards are longer than 22 inches and most airlines don’t usually adhere to the 45-inch linear dimension standards, it is more convenient to avoid the added expense. You may take off the wheels from it, even if it’s checked luggage, to increase security and reduce theft risk. Thanks!
