Can You Bring a Skateboard on a Plane?

Travel and skateboarding go hand-in-hand, and any trip can be made better by having your skateboard with you. But what about when you’re flying? Can you bring a skateboard on a plane? In this article, we’ll cover everything you should know about flying with a skateboard. Let’s get right to it!

Flying With a Skateboard: Can You Do It?

If you find yourself asking, ‘can I bring a skateboard on a plane,’ the short answer is yes. The TSA states that “skateboards are allowed in carry-on bags.” However, how you go about doing that depends on factors like:

• Which airline you’re taking
• Baggage size restrictions
• What type of skateboard you’re bringing

Depending on the airline you take, your skateboard may need to be placed in a checked bag.

Does a Skateboard Count as a Personal Item or Carry-On?

In the U.S., the average size of a carry-on is 22 inches by 14 inches by nine inches. And the average size for a personal item is 18 inches by 14 inches by eight inches. So, unless you’re bringing a Penny Board (which is 22 inches long), you might not be able to bank on your skateboard counting as a carry-on or personal item.

For example, JetBlue allows skateboards as carry-ons, but only “as long as it meets the size requirements.” Given that the average skateboard runs around 32 inches in length, your skateboard might not be allowed as a carry-on.

However, you should check with your airline ahead of time to be sure.

What’s the Best Airline for Flying with a Skateboard?

Southwest Airlines is without question the best airline for flying with a skateboard. Their website provides clear details about the rules for bringing a skateboard with. If you’re flying Southwest and bringing a skateboard, here’s what you should know:

• Skateboards can be substituted for a carry-on or a checked bag
• Your skateboard needs to be in a bag or covered, unless it fits underneath the seat, in which case you simply need to store it with the wheels upward to prevent it from moving during the flight
• If you store it in an overhead bin, it also needs to be stored wheels-up and have at least the wheels covered to prevent it from damaging other luggage

More importantly, if you don’t want to bother bringing your skateboard on board, you can simply check it, as Southwest offers two free checked bags for each flight. Just make sure the skateboard is packaged in that case.

The Best Way to Bring a Skateboard on a Plane

There are two strategies for bringing a skateboard on a plane; one that is foolproof, the other isn’t guaranteed to work, but can save you a lot of money.

1. Bringing a Skateboard on a Plane in a Checked Bag

If you don’t want the possibility of there being any issues bringing a skateboard as a piece of luggage, then you’ll simply want to check it. It’s that simple. However, checked bags can run anywhere from $30-$90. If you don’t want to spend that money, then you can try this next strategy for bringing a skateboard on a plane.

2. Bringing Your Skateboard as a Carry-On

The best way to bring a skateboard on a plane is by removing your trucks and wheels from the deck. Your trucks and wheels can be packed into a carry-on bag or personal item easily, so you won’t have any problems there. As for your skateboard deck, attach it to a skateboard backpack. This way, you can easily fit it into overhead storage without it taking up much room. If you don’t have a skateboard backpack, a long duffel bag can usually do the trick.

Now, you’re probably thinking, ‘okay, but wouldn’t that still exceed the carry-on size rules?’ Yes, it does. However, it’s unlikely that it will be an issue. At the end of the day, flight crews have bigger issues to worry about than a single piece of luggage that’s technically oversized. Plus, they can probably recognize that once your skateboard deck is stored in the overhead compartment, it will hardly take up any room. In this case, flight crew members aren’t likely to push the issue and you won’t have any problems.

Other Questions About Bringing Your Skateboard on a Plane

Flying can be a stressful experience, and it’s natural to have questions. Here, we’ll take a quick look at other questions about flying with a skateboard.

Can I Bring a Longboard on a Plane?

To bring a longboard on a plane, you’ll most likely need to check it. This is because a longboard is simply so much bigger than a standard skateboard, and as a result, you might not be able to get it on the plane as a carry-on even with the most friendly crew.

Are Electric Skateboards Allowed on Planes?

Electric skateboards are usually not allowed on planes because they have lithium batteries. Lithium batteries can short circuit and start a fire, so they’re a risk to the safety of the flight.

Can I Fly Internationally With a Skateboard?

If you’re flying internationally with a skateboard, baggage rules may vary, so double check with your airline, and also take the time to see if there are any rules in your destination country about flying with a skateboard.

Air travel is simply more common in the U.S. than in Europe, and smaller flight sizes abroad may mean that there’s less room for storing your skateboard. Make sure you do your research before booking a flight.