Boards on a Plane
There are many inquiries about taking boards on planes; the hows, the whos, etc.
I have compiled a list from my experiences on when and where boards and helmets can be carried on a plane, as well as other general travel tips.
Experience: I have traveled to 34 countries, 6 continents, and on 25+ airlines
Years traveling: 2011- Present
Traveling for: freeride events, skate trips, races, etc.
General Travel Tips:
Carry on your skateboard and helmet
-I personally don't like to check my helmet to make sure it doesn't get thrown around/ mishandled
Pack light on clothes (you may get event tees or can always buy/ thrift if needed)
*bring weather appropriate clothing/ gear
Bring any and all wheels you may need (especially if you won't be able to buy them while traveling)
Always bring rain wheels (for racing/ events)
Bring extra undies and socks
At least:
2 pairs of pants
2 pairs of shoes (skate shoes + non-skate shoes) (especially if you think it may rain)
Get and bring a microfiber towel (one that can pack up quite small)
Have a lil first aid kit including aspirin/ ibuprofen, bandages/ tape, antibacterial cream
Create a secret cash stash pocket somewhere on your travel gear/ luggage
Get/ create a specific place to store your passport
Packing cubes and organizational kits/ bags/ containers are soo helpful (look for the soft fabric kind)
Check exchange rates before you go
-if you can exchange $ before your trip, you'll prob get a better rate (especially compared to exchanging at an airport)
Get a code/ number lock for your checked bags
Take photos of your luggage and how your stuff is packed before you zip and go.
-this can help in case you need to file a claim if the airport/ airlines rummage through your stuff/ lose any of your things
-photos of the exterior of your bags and the inside once packed
A carry-on backpack with straps comes in clutch
-You can attach so many things to the outside of your bag like shoes, leather suits, food, etc.
You can bring food ON a plane from outside the airport. Save $$ by buying ahead and bringing your own food.
-You can't take it into other countries tho (most of the time)
-If bringing food on the plane, remember that onboard a plane is a shared, confined area. Everyone will smell what you're eating. For example, if you bring an everything bagel on board, everyone will smell the onions 😅
Now, for the flying portion of this blog:
Let's talk specific airlines/ airports/ countries and whether you can carry your gear on or have to check it.
This list is based on my personal travels and testimonials from others.
Listed alphabetically.
Can you carry it on?
Board Carry-On | Full Face/ Helmet Carry-On | |
US Airlines: | | |
Alaska | Yes | Yes |
American Airlines | Yes | Yes |
Delta | Yes | Yes |
United | Yes | Yes |
International Airlines: | | |
Air Canada | Yes | Yes |
Air China | No | Yes |
Air France | Yes | Yes |
Air Transat | Yes | Yes |
Avianca | Yes | Yes |
Brussels Airlines | Yes | Yes |
Cathay Pacific | No | Yes |
Emirates | Yes | Yes |
JetStar | No | Yes |
Iberia | Yes | Yes |
IcelandAir | Yes | Yes |
KLM | Yes | Yes |
LAN | Yes | Yes |
Latam | Yes | Yes |
Level | Yes | Yes |
Norwegian Airlines | Yes | Yes |
Philippine Airlines | Yes | No** (see note below) |
Qantas | No | Yes |
SAS | Yes | Yes |
Virgin Atlantic | Yes | Yes |
Virgina Australia | No | Yes |
Vueling | Yes | Yes |
Countries may have specific rules within their airports that differ from the rules of the individual airlines themselves.
For example:
Australia: *General Advisory*
Do not carry your board on. Put it in your checked luggage. A skateboard can be deemed a weapon in airports. This goes for all of Australia.
Budapest, Hungary Airport Advisory
Do not carry your board through Budapest Airport. Check it at your airline. A friend of mine had a terrible experience with the airport, not an airline. Make sure to check your gear- I'd fully recommend it being packed within your baggage.
Chile: *Truck/ Complete Setup Advisory*
Santiago, Chile airport does not allow complete setups through their security. You can carry just your board through, but not with the trucks and wheels attached.
China: *General Advisory*
Multiple Chinese airlines do not allow boards to be carried on, they must be checked.
Mexico City, Mexico:
This is from a friend's experience: Mexico City airport did not allow their board to be carried on, it was forced to be checked.
New Zealand: *General Advisory*
Same rules as Australia. Do not carry your board on. Put it in your checked luggage. A skateboard can be deemed a weapon in airports.
**Philippines:
When I was departing through Cebu in The Philippines, I was forced to check my helmet (in its helmet bag). I am not sure if this was an issue with the airline, Philippine Airlines, or with the airport itself. Looking back, it was probably the airport security that held an issue with it.
Pro tips:
~These days most airlines are using electronic check-ins. This means you declare whether you have a checked bag or not and, most of the time, the employees will not double-check your belongings/ bags.
~CONFIDENCE IS KEY. Do not act like something is wrong or question things. Simply go through the whole airport process, including check-in, security, etc. with confidence and you'll unlikely be bothered at all.
~Be nice. Treat the airline/ airport employees well and they are unlikely to cause problems. Walk up to the counter with a friendly greeting and go from there. Distract with kindness.
~Once you get past the check-in, you're pretty much set. Security is the airport, not the airline. As long as you are not bringing illegal stuff with you, you'll be fine getting through security. As long as
your gear and bags fit through the machine- which, I personally, have never had an issue with; even with very large bags.
*sometimes security will stop/ question you about skate tools.
~Most boards, even long ones, can fit in most overhead bins. Either lay the board flat on the bottom or balance it on top of bags in the bins. If the board does not fit or the bins are full, many airplanes have closets that are rarely used. Most recently, I've just straight up asked to have my board in the closet when I board the plane (with American Airlines and United) and the attendants are generally happy to oblige. One time, when there wasn't space for my board in the overhead bins, the attendant slipped it behind the last row of seats.
-if you're more worried about space, board early. The earlier you're on, the more likely you'll find space in an overhead bin.
-Some flights, where I have been late to board, I've had to check my stuff at the gate. It is not ideal, but at least by this point checking your items is free. (I still try to carry on my board and helmet whenever I can).
~If traveling for a race or with lots of gear, pack your wheels literally anywhere you can fit them (in your helmet, in shoes, etc) and try to fit a majority in your carry-on. In all my experiences, I've only had my carry-on questioned and weighed twice.
-Do not walk through the check-in line looking like you're carrying 60 pounds/ 30 kg on your back. Remember, confidence is key!
~Get/ Use a good helmet bag. Whether for during your travels or for the plane, a proper helmet bag is a great thing to have. Something with support and a nice strap ideally. This bag can become your personal item to carry on the plane and, depending on size, can help you stash excess items. I generally put 1-3 sets of wheels, my g-forms, gloves, headphones, etc. in my helmet bag. I've only had one instance where the helmet bag didn't fit under the seat in front of me, but I was already on the plane so I just put it in the overhead bin.
~You can attach things to the outside of your bag. (Again, why I recommend something with straps and carabiners! Carabiners are incredibly useful, I always travel with one on a water bottle and with extras, just in case). Food bags, shoes, jackets, leathers, etc. can be attached to the outside of a carry-on backpack. Just make sure they're secured!
Personally, whenever I fly I aim to take my skateboard and fullface helmet as a carry-on. I have been successful at doing this most of the time that I have flown over the last 10 years.
If you are at all worried about whether you can bring your board/ helmet on the plane or anything, you can research online or call the airlines in advance and ask.
If you are ultimately too worried, checking your gear is a safe bet, but you do run the risk of things getting lost or delayed.
This blog shall be updated as new information is gathered.
Happy skating and travels! 🤙
I would love to hear from you!
What are your travel tips?
Have information about airlines, airports, or traveling in specific countries you would like to see added?