Last Updated on March 16, 2023
Key Takeaways
- The TSA generally permit longboards to pass through airport security
- But most longboards do not comply with airlines maximum carry-on luggage size limits
- You need to measure your longboard and check your airlines luggage size restrictions to determine if you can bring your longboard on the plane in hand luggage
- Longboards can be transported in checked luggage but additional baggage fees may apply
Longboard TSA Rules
The Transportation Security Administration does not have an issue with you bringing a longboard through the airport security checkpoint.
Here’s a screengrab from their website:
So longboards are not prohibited from planes by the TSA but unfortunately that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to bring your longboard on the plane.
Airline Carry-On Luggage Limits & Longboards
Each airline sets their own rules about the maximum size of hand luggage.
Their are two methods of doing this. Let’s call them the standard measuring method and the linear inches measuring method.
The Set Dimensions Method – Suppose the carry-on size limit is written as 22 x 14 x 9 inches. If any of those dimensions are exceeded then your longboard will not permitted to be brought on to the plane. Since most longboards are longer than 22 inches you cannot bring longboards on airlines using the set dimensions measuring method.
The linear inches method – If the airline writes that the carry-on luggage size limit is 45 linear inches then it’s the total sum of the three dimensions that is important. Suppose you have a short longboard that is 32 inches long, 8 inches wide and 4 inches ground clearance. The sum of those 3 dimensions is 44 inches. Since that is under the 45 linear inches limit then it would qualify to be brought on the plane as hand luggage.
But the average longboard is 33-60 inches long and 9-10 inches wide.
So most longboards are simply too big to be brought on to planes in hand luggage.
If you have a small longboard and an airline that uses the linear inches measuring method then you might be able to do it.
Keep in mind that you won’t be able to also bring a carry-on suitcase with you if you do this. However it is possible to pack your clothes in a small personal item backpack if you know how to travel light.
Bring A Longboard In Checked Luggage
All this means that to fly with a longboard you usually need to bring it in checked luggage.
Most airlines use the linear inches method for measuring checked baggage. The most common size limit is 62 linear inches.
So longboards under 62 linear inches will be treated as any other checked suitcase. Size and weight limits apply as well as additional checked baggage fees.
Unboxed longboards travel at your own risk. A board bag is a good idea.
Sometimes airlines have exceptions to their checked luggage size limits and might consider longboards to be sports equipment.
With any checked baggage there is always that chance that checked items could be lost, stolen, or damaged.
A very long longboard might not even qualify as checked baggage and in that case a sporting equipment exemption would need to apply.
Aside from the baggage fees, the downside to checking luggage is that there is sometimes a long wait to meet your board at the conveyor belts to collect checked luggage.
You might wish to consider shipping your longboard to your destination it might be cheaper than the checked baggage fees.
Airline Policies Towards Longboards
Let’s look at some popular airlines in the US and see if they permit longboards in the cabin.
Allegiant Air
Kenzie asked Allegiant if she could take her longboard with her as carry-on luggage:
Allegiant replied that the long board would need to fit the carry-on dimensions.
American Airlines
Julio asked AA if he could bring a board as hand luggage:
American Airlines applied the 45 linear inches rule. So if the 3 dimensions of Julio’s board was less than 45 linear inches it would be permitted. A skateboard might be under this limit but a longboard would probably exceed the limit.
Delta Air Lines
Zach asked Delta about bringing a 32-inch board deck as his carry-on:
Delta accepts skateboards and longboards if they fit within the 45 linear inches guidelines. They would count as your carry-on meaning you couldn’t also bring a carry-on suitcase and you’d need to pack your clothes in your personal item bag.
This is assuming there is enough space in the overhead compartment and longboards could be gate checked by flight attendants if they couldn’t fit it in the overhead bin.
However, most longboards exceed 45 linear inches and would need to be checked on Delta flights.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier don’t even allow passengers to carry-on a small skateboard so it’s impossible bring bring a longboard on to a plane on a Frontier flight.
Longboards can be brought in checked luggage.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian apply the 45 linear inches rule:
Keep in mind they also have a 25 lb weight limit.
JetBlue
Anmol wanted to take a longboard on a JetBlue flight:
Longboards must not exceed 22 inches to be considered carry-on luggage.
Southwest
Southwest are renowned for having a generous baggage policy.
Liza asked Southwest if she could take her longboard as a carryon:
If stowed in the overhead bin her longboard would need to be wheels up and have the wheels covered by at least a trash bag.
According to Southwest on Twitter as long as the longboard fits in the overhead bin you should be able to take it on a plane.
Spirit Airlines
Budget airlines tend to have more restrictive baggage policies. Spirit won’t even let you bring a carry-on suitcase without charging you extra.
You cannot bring a longboard on a Spirit flight as hand luggage, checking it is the only option.
United Airlines
Justin wanted to bring a longboard on a United flight but discovered that is was too big to be considered as carry-on luggage.
United do apply the 45 linear inches rule though so if you have a short longboard you might be able to make it work. Check before you turn up at the airport.
Flying With An Electric Longboard
So in all likelihood unless you are flying with Southwest you’ll probably need to check your longboard.
But what if you have an electric longboard?
Loose lithium batteries cannot be checked so if you have an electric board you might need to bring them in your hand luggage.
Installed batteries should be okay but you need to make sure that there is no potential for unintentional activation. This is because of the fire risk.
There is a size limit for lithium-ion batteries in hand luggage.