If you have a trip coming up and want to take your skateboard with you, you may be wonder if skateboards even allowed on planes. Can you get through security? How do you stow it?
Learn the ins and outs of how to fly with your skateboard.
TSA Rules for Skateboards
According to the TSA, skateboards are allowed on planes.
Skateboards are allowed in checked bags, and can be brought as carry-on depending on the rules for the specific airline you’ll be traveling with.
Airline Rules for Skateboards
You are always allowed to bring a skateboard by checking it.
Similar to checking luggage, different airlines charge different fees, so you’ll need to look into prices for the one you are flying.
As for bringing it on board with you as carry on, some airlines are okay with this while others aren’t.
The ones that let it fly will either allow you to store it under the seat in front of you (wheels up) as long as it is shorter than 32 inches or in the overhead cabin (though the latter is less common).
Pro Tip: If you want to increase your chances of being able to bring your board on the flight, disassemble it and ask the airline staff politely.
The information above applies to typical boards within the size requirements, but not to electric skateboards.
There are some claims that they are allowed if the batteries are taken out and the board is disassembled, but this can’t be guaranteed.
You can risk it and try it out, but you’ll be in a sticky situation if you can’t board your flight and don’t want to trash your board.
Tips for Flying with Your Skateboard
Follow these steps to ensure you won’t have any problems with bringing your skateboard with you to your destination.
- Do a quick search into the policies of the airline you are flying to understand if skateboards are allowed, and what size and weight restrictions you should look out for.
- Call the airline to ensure the policy you found online is up to date (rules are subject to change over time).
- Ensure you’re checking the policies for all airlines involved in your journey. For example, if you’re connecting to a flight with another airline or in another country, it’s likely that the second flight will have different rules.
- Get to the airport early whether you’re checking your board or bringing it on the plane. If you’re checking your board, this will give you enough time to bring the board through all TSA checks. If you’re carrying it on, this will give you a better chance of securing space for it.
Packing Your Skateboard as Carry On
The best way to ensure you can bring your skateboard on the plane with you, hassle-free, is to disassemble it.
Remove the trucks and store them in your backpack.
A skateboard backpack is great because it has straps that secure your deck to it. If you don’t have one, a regular duffel bag or backpack can work, too.
Following these rules will make it so the airline staff doesn’t have to mess around with helping you stow your board.
If you can fit the board inside an appropriately-sized carry-on bag, you should have no trouble taking it on the plane – regardless of specific rules regarding skateboards.
Packing Your Skateboard to Check It
If you’re flying an airline that requires you to check your skateboard, it’s best to protect it with plastic wrap and tape.
This will ensure it won’t get damaged while it is thrown around in the checking process.