Can You Bring a Longboard On a Plane?
In this article, we’ll look at the best way to travel by air with a longboard in the United States and see what the airport security and airline policies are.
While skateboards and other sports equipment are allowed on all airlines, air travel with a longboard presents some extra challenges due to the size.
As always, check with your airline and TSA to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information before traveling.
What Does the TSA say?
While the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) doesn’t address longboards specifically, here’s what they say about Skateboards (it doesn’t include electric skateboards)
| Skateboards are allowed in carry-on bags and checked bags. |
So according to the T,SA you shouldn’t have trouble at the security checkpoint with a skateboard, so it’s up to the airline where it has to go (carry-on luggage or checked bag).
The TSA sets a maximum size restriction for carry-on bags at 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches highwith , handles and wheels included. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches high.
Keep in mind you’re limited to one carry-on ag, and one personal item. So you can’t bring a suitcase as carry-on luggage on airlines that allow skateboards as carry-on luggage. Also many airlines, especially budget airlines (or Ultra Low Cost Carriers), have additional charges for carry-ons.
This also doesn’t address electric skateboards, which often have lithium batteries that aren’t allowed to be checked or have more difficult requirements.
Longboard vs Skateboard
Can you bring a longboard on a plane? A longboard is a type of skateboard that is typically longer and wider than a smaller board.
While some airlines allow normal skateboards to be taken onboard as carry-on bags, this can’t be done with longboards. Longboards are longer than the maximum carry-on length of 22 inches due to their larger size. In addition, the size of longboards can sometimes add an expensive oversize fee.
Electric Longboards
Because of FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) hazardous materials regulations and the risk of battery fires, the battery size of larger lithium batteries often exceeds the maximum battery size. Because battery overheats would be less likely to be noticed in the cargo bin, larger lithium batteries cant be transported in checked luggage.
Since electric board longboards are too large to be brought onboard as carry-on luggage, it can be difficult to transport an electric longboard with a lithium battery.
What About a Penny Board?
| Can You Bring a Longboard On a Plane? Also, look into a Penny Board. A penny board is a type of small, lightweight plastic skateboard. Penny boards are typically made of a type of plastic called polypropylene and have smooth wheels, which makes them good for cruising and commuting over shorter distances. Some Penny Boards are close to 22 inches long, which is the maximum carry-on luggage size. Penny Boards such as the Penny Australia, The Original Plastic Skateboard, measure in at exactly 22″ and could be the best choice for a lightweight carry-on skateboard. The Penny Australia board would meet the requirements of domestic airlines that allow skateboards as carry-on bags, such as Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit. See below for more info. |
Can You Bring a Longboard On a Plane? Linear Length
Can you bring a longboard on a plane? When flying on an airplane, there are often size limits on luggage. The linear dimensions of a suitcase are used to figure out if it fits the size limits for carry-on or checked luggage.
The linear dimensions of luggage are usually measured in inches, and they are calculated by adding together the length, width, and height of the suitcase, or longboard.
For example, if a longboard measures 40 inches in length, 12 inches in width, and 6 inches in height, its linear dimensions would be 68 inches (40 + 12 + 6). Different airlines have different maximum size restrictions for luggage, so it is important to check with the specific airline to determine what the maximum allowed linear dimensions are for carry-on or checked baggage.
Protecting Your Longboard
Can you bring a longboard on a plane? When checking your longboard or skateboard, help protect it by investing in a duffel bag or hard-sided case. Some cases and duffel bags can double as a checked bag, with clothes and other items stored around the bag. If not also packing clothes, it’s a good idea to protect your board with packing material like bubble wrap.
Here’s a link to some of the top rated bags, skateboard backpacks and cases.
Can You Bring a Longboard On a Plane? What the Airlines Say
Can you bring a longboard on a plane? Yes, as long as it meets the size limit and weight restrictions. You will need to check with your specific airline for their different rules on size and weight restrictions, which we will list below.
It’s important to check for extra fees, which can add up for larger longboards on some airlines. The last thing you want is a $100 additional cost from airline staff at the check-in counter.
Some airlines give you the option as bringing shorter skateboards on as carry-on baggage in the overhead bin, while others allow them as checked baggage only.
For longboards, you’re going to have to check them no matter which airline you choose. Most also require the longboard to be inside a bag or case to be checked.
Keep in mind for shorter carry-on skateboards, you’re still limited to one piece of carry-on luggage, not including a small personal item. In addition, many airlines charge extra for carry-on luggage that goes in the overhead compartment, so be sure to check the specific airline’s policy. Some airlines also exclude carry-on items from certain fares, like basic economy fares.
Major airlines also can have different requirements for international flights, so be sure to check their page if that applies.
Alaska Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes
American Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes, under 115 linear inches
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on American? American doesn’t allow skateboards or longboards as carry-on luggage. American allows a skateboard/longboard as a checked bag, and standard checked bag fees apply.
American allows 1 skateboard and has the following information on size and cost, because of the high linear length limit, most longboards and skateboards should be well under this limit.
Here’s a link to their policies
Allegiant Air
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes, under 80 linear inches
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Allegiant? Allegiant does not allow longboards or skateboards as carry-on luggage. Allegiant’s policies treat each piece of sports equipment as a checked bag, with the same fees as checked bags, such as fees for being too heavy (more than 40 pounds) or too big (more than 80 linear inches).
Allegiant says that they will take skateboards in a case or bag that they will accept. Because of the high linear length limit, most longboards and skateboards should be within this limit.
Here’s a link to their policies
Avelo Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes, up to 62 linear inches. 62-80″ adds extra charges of $50
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Avelo? Avelo has a 62″ linear limit for longboards but also has the most reasonable oversized baggage fee of $50
According to Avelo, as long as the equipment is non-powered, skating gear, such as ice skates, roller skates, roller blades, and skateboards, is acceptable.
Link to their baggage policy page
Delta Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: Yes (Skateboards under 22″ only)
- Checked Baggage: Yes, Under 115 linear inches
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Delta? Delta gives you the option of bringing your longboard as hand luggage, or checked baggage. If you’re checking your longboard, it must go in a bag.
Skateboards are allowed as carry-on baggage and standard carry-on size restrictions apply. This means a limit of one carry-on bag, which would be your skateboard.
Frontier Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes, up to 62 linear inches. 62-110 inches for a $75 fee
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Frontier? Frontier allows skateboards and longboards as checked bags only.
Hawaiian Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes, under 62 linear inches or 80 linear inches with extra charge.
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Hawaiian? Hawaiian doesn’t allow skateboards or longboards as carry-on luggage, and appears to have one of the more restrictive limits for checked longboards. At more 62 linear inches, it will cost you an extra $100 to fly with your longboard between Hawaii and the mainland states.
Here’s a link to their policy page
JetBlue
- Carry-On Baggage: Yes (Skateboards under 22″ only)
- Checked Baggage: Yes, under 62 linear inches, or 80 linear inches, with a $150 fee
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on JetBlue? Jetblue allows shorter skateboards as carry-on baggage, provided it’s your only carry-on bag. On the other hand, JetBlue has one of the lower limits at only 62 linear inches for longboards. If you have a longer longboard between 62-80 linear inches (as a reminder, that’s length + height + width), it’ll cost you a whopping $150.
Here’s their policy and a link to their sports luggage policy.
Southwest Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: Yes (22″ length or less)
- Checked Baggage: Yes, up to 62 linear inches, or up to 80 inches with a $75 fee
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Southwest? Southwest allows you to accept a skateboard as carry-on baggage or a checked bag. For longboards longer than 22″ long, it’s a checked bag only. While Southwest has a lower 62 linear inch limit for longer longboards, their oversized baggage fee is more reasonable than some at $75
Here’s a link to their policies
Spirit Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: Yes, skateboards only up to 22″ in length
- Checked Baggage: Yes, up to 62 linear inches, or above 62 linear inches for a $100 fee
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on Spirit? Spirit allows shorter skateboards as carry-ons and skateboards and longboards up to 62 linear inches in length to be checked. Here’s what they say about shorter skateboards.
Here’s a link to their policy
Sun Country Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes
Can you bring a longboard on a plane to Sun Country? While Sun Country doesn’t specifically list longboards or skateboards on their baggage page, they answered the question on Twitter. The skateboard must be in a bag or case and comply with the normal checked baggage rules.
United Airlines
- Carry-On Baggage: No
- Checked Baggage: Yes
Can you bring a longboard on a plane on United? United is another airline that allows you to get a skateboard onboard as carry-on luggage. As always, this doesn’t apply to electric skateboards. Here’s what they say.
Here’s a link to their policies
Recap
Can you bring a longboard on a plane? Thanks for reading! If you have any comments or questions, email me here.
