Why it's practical
When you’re heading to the other side of the world to find the perfect wave, there’s nothing like having your own board under your arm. Why should you? Because it’s adapted to you, your surfing style and your habits. And above all, because it saves you from having to rent unfamiliar, sometimes poorly maintained and often expensive equipment. Flying with your surfboard means choosing peace of mind… as long as you’re well prepared.
Don’t worry, we’ll go over all the essentials for flying with your surfboard.
The cost of flying with your surfboard
When flying with your surfboard, it’s important to know that transport costs can vary greatly from one airline to another. Some airlines include this type of equipment in their standard baggage allowance, provided the board respects the authorized dimensions and weight. Others apply fixed fees for sports equipment, without really taking into account the weight and size of your boardbag.
To avoid any unpleasant surprises at check-in, we strongly recommend that you consult your airline’s specific conditions before departure. This will enable you to anticipate any additional costs and organize your trip with complete peace of mind.
Here are a few examples of the fees charged by airlines at airports:
Price comparison table :
Compagnie | Coast for one board | Rules and regulations |
Between 65 and 100 € | 300 cm (l + L + H)et 23 kg maximum | |
72 € | 32 kg maximum | |
60 € | 20 kg maximum | |
60 € | 32 kg et 360 cm (l + L + H)maximum | |
80 € | 32 kg maximum | |
80 € and more | 32 kg et 315 cm(l + L + H) maximum |
The 300cm rule
Not all airlines treat surfboards in the same way, and it’s essential to understand their criteria before booking a ticket. Most carriers apply a limit based on the sum of the boardbag’s dimensions: length + width + height ≤ 300 cm.
This rule is often misinterpreted: it doesn’t mean you can take on board a 3-meter board, because once packed with cover, rails, protective foam, and daggerboards, you’ll easily exceed this threshold. In practice, a shortboard (between 5’6 and 6’6, i.e. around 170 to 200 cm) generally falls within the limits, even with a well-padded bag. By contrast, a 9’0 longboard (≈ 274 cm) almost always exceeds the 300 cm limit once packed, even if it looks “short” in sheer length.
The result: many companies refuse longboards outright or impose very high charges, or even special freight transport. That’s why it’s essential to check not only the length of your board, but also the width and thickness of the complete bag before you leave, especially if you’re traveling with a bulky model.
NEWAVE BOARD vs CLASSIC BOARD
Longboard NEWAVE : 110* 55 * 25 cm or 190 cm
Longboard CLASSIQUE : 276.0 cm x 57.0 cm x 66 i.e. 399 cm
Flying with your surfboard can be complicated
Taking the plane with a surfboard offers real freedom once you’ve reached your destination, but it’s not without a downside. Air travel is not without its share of mishaps for surfers. So before you pack your boardbag, it’s best to be aware of the main risks involved, so you can better prevent them.
Here are a few examples:
Rough handling
Boardbags are often thrown carelessly onto conveyor belts under other heavy luggage (ski bags, golf bags, etc.), which can cause cracks or even break the nose or tail. The damage caused will take time to repair and cost you money, so you won’t be able to use your board.
Low company coverage
Without a rigid boardbag or an immediate claim on arrival, airlines often absolve themselves of all responsibility in the event of breakage.
Complete breakage
Surfers have had several of their boards broken in half after a flight. This type of claim is not uncommon, even with reinforced protection.
The proof is in the pictures:
- Professional surfer Alex Gray found four of his five surfboards broken after a flight from Honolulu to Los Angeles. He shared on social networks the opening of his boardbag on arrival.
- Jérémy flores, professional surfer, found his board broken clean in its bag on arrival. He shares a video of his broken board.
- John John Florence borrowed the JetBlue company and also found his boardbag damaged on arrival.
Travelling by plane with your board: a few tips
When you often fly with your board, you end up learning a couple of tricks to avoid getting lit up at the counter. One of the classics: discreetly slipping your foot under your boardbag during the weigh-in. It can save a few pounds on the scale, and sometimes it’s what saves you from surprise charges. Another trick that works well: don’t say how many boards you’re carrying. Quite a few companies charge “per board”, whereas if you pack two well-packed boards in a single bag, it’ll look like one.
Avoid bags that are too conspicuous, such as those with “SURF” written on them or brand logos. It’s better to keep a low profile so as not to arouse suspicion. And of course, always pack your wetsuits, towels and clothes around the board: it absorbs shocks and frees up space in the rest of your luggage. Beware: some airlines may ask you to open your bag, and others refuse to carry clothes or other items in addition to boards. Be sure to read their terms and conditions on the website before going to the counter! So, yes, it’s still a bit of a poker game at every check-in… but with these tips, you can avoid a lot of trouble (and a lot of extra euros).
Rent or buy on site: an option worth considering
It would be dishonest not to mention other possible solutions when traveling to surf, such as renting or buying a board on the spot.
Rent a board
Renting a board can be very practical, especially if you’re staying at a single spot or going for a short stay. It’s a stress-free option, with no logistics to manage, and no air freight costs. On the other hand, rental boards are often standard models, with quality varying from one surf shop to another. Costs can also rise rapidly, with rates ranging from €20 to €40 per day in the most touristy areas.
buy a board
The other alternative is to buy a board locally. This can be a good option if you’re staying for several weeks, especially in Asia or Latin America, where you can sometimes find some very good deals. The advantage is that you can find a model adapted to local conditions, and keep it for the duration of your stay. On the other hand, you have to be prepared to devote a little time to it on arrival, and to resell the board before leaving, which isn’t always easy.
For certain types of trip, these solutions can be really worthwhile, provided you plan ahead.
Flying with your NEWAVE board
Newave and the removable board
At Newave, we know all about these problems. In fact, it’s what motivated us to embark on the adventure of creating dismountable surfboards, designed to simplify travel (and storage), especially by plane.
- Newave boards can be disassembled into two or three pieces, depending on the model.
- Once stored in a specially designed wheeled bag, they respect the weight and dimensions allowed on planes.
- You carry your board in an airline-approved bag.
- No need to cross your fingers over the condition of your board on arrival.
Click here to discover Newave’s removable boards!
Travelling by plane with a demountable board is also an economical and practical choice. No more hassles with transport or expensive rentals on site. You’ll be able to travel light, with your own equipment, compact and easy to transport, while avoiding the unexpected. It’s the ideal solution for surfing more often, without sacrificing comfort or performance.
And our boards are modular! In other words, you can interchange parts to create new shapes, depending on the waves, your style or your desires!
Conclusion
Flying with your surfboard is a real opportunity to travel further afield and discover the world’s most beautiful spots. But airline regulations and the size of conventional boards can sometimes complicate the adventure.
The solution? Anticipate by choosing the right equipment… like a Newave dismountable board, compact, high-performance and made for air travel.
Find us
📍2 Allée Titouan Lamazou
85340 Les Sables-d’Olonne
Where contact us
📞07.82.86.43.84
✒️contact@newavesurf.fr
