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Air travel is a hard, stressful, boring, and nerve-racking ordeal. If you are a skateboard enthusiast, you’re probably wondering can I bring a skateboard on a plane?
In short, yes! While you can’t bring your skateboard in the cabin, and it might be subject to certain fees and regulations depending on which airline you’re flying with, it’s perfectly acceptable to bring your skateboard with you in the cargo hold of an airplane.
There are some things to know before you go, though. Some airlines will treat your skateboard as standard luggage if it is broken down and stored in a bag, while others require that you buy an additional seat for your board. If you don’t want to pay extra for an individual ticket for your skateboard, there are plenty of other options. Many airlines will let you check your board for free as long as it fits their regular weight and size requirements.
Carrying Skateboards In Carry-on Baggage
Are you wondering if you can carry on your skateboard on a plane? You can, as long as it meets the size requirements. With all of its wheels and trucks, your board must fit into the overhead compartment or under your seat. There is no extra fee for bringing it on the plane with most airlines.
However, you may not be able to bring your skateboard on a plane—many airlines have restrictions that apply to specific countries and carriers. You should check with your airline and destination country’s regulations before bringing your board on a plane to avoid being asked to leave it behind or pay an extra fee.
If you do decide to carry on your board and avoid checking it in baggage—which is more likely to cause damage to your board than carrying it on—there are some steps you need to take:
- Make sure that your board has padded protection from hard impacts.
- Remove the wheels from your board (if possible)
- Wrap them in bubble wrap or foam padding
- If this isn’t possible, find a soft case for your skateboard to protect it from hard impacts.
Carrying Skateboards In Checked Baggage
Yes, you can stow a skateboard in your checked baggage. If it is of average size (a maximum of 115 cm/45 inches), it will be considered part of your allowed baggage allowance and will not cost extra. You can also carry small skateboards in your carry-on luggage.
However, if the skateboard is long or wide or is not typically used for recreational purposes, it might be classified as an oversized item. You will need to pay a special fee to check it, and the cost will vary depending on the airline.
Tips When Traveling With A Skateboard
Disassemble The Skateboard
When you’re ready to begin your trip, disassemble your skateboard before checking it in your baggage. The first step is to remove the wheels. To do this, turn the skateboard upside-down and grip it by the deck (the part you stand on). Then take a screwdriver and unscrew the bolts that attach each wheel to the trucks (these are the metal parts that connect your wheels to the deck). When all four bolts have been removed, you can lift off each wheel and put them safely away.
Take off any loose parts from the board, such as wheels and trucks. Wrap them in bubble wrap or similar packaging material and place them in your checked luggage.
Pack the Board
Clean the skateboard before packing. Put the wheels and deck inside the bag, if it has one. If not, place the wheels inside or on top of the deck with enough padding between them to avoid damage. Put the skateboard in a sturdy cardboard box or hard-shell case and fill any space with bubble wrap or packing paper to prevent damage during transit. Write “FRAGILE” on the outside of your bag so that it is easily recognizable by baggage handlers as requiring special care.
Alternatively, securely wrap your skateboard deck in a thick layer of bubble wrap or another packing material. Tape the wrapped board together so it will not come apart. Place this in a large cardboard box with padding on the bottom and sides. There should be no space between the box and the contents, so fill up any space with packing peanuts or other packing materials. Seal the box with heavy-duty tape.
Declare Your Skateboard When Checking In
Notify the airline desk agent that you have a skateboard in your luggage before checking your bags. Even though it is not necessary to declare, the airline may need to verify that your skateboard is packed safely for travel.
Get A Bigger Bag
Let’s be real for a second; having to check your board because it won’t fit in a regular-sized bag is, well, really uncool. Airlines are pretty much saying you don’t deserve to have your gear with you on the flight. And that’s just not right!
So, what are you going to do? Stop skating? No way! You’ll never give up on your passion—not even if it means you have to check your board and lug around a heavy bag all day long.
When you check in your skateboard, please make sure that it’s in a large enough bag for the airline to transport easily. You can always get a larger bag at the airline counter when you check-in.
Travel Light
If you plan to travel with your skateboard, you should check it as luggage. There is a possibility that it may be damaged during the flight if carried on as a carry-on item. However, you can minimize any potential damage by traveling light when checking in your skateboard.
Conclusion
The best advice you can follow if you’re trying to decide how to carry stuff onto a plane is to use common sense. If it seems questionable, it probably is. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, including when you’re carrying a skateboard onto the plane with you. Remember, you don’t have to put up with rude airline employees at your destination. Shop for the best flight itinerary that meets your needs but don’t let anybody push you around.
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