If you’re a skateboarder who can’t be without your board anywhere you go, you’re probably wondering if you can bring your skateboard on your next flight.
According to TSA regulations, you are allowed to bring a skateboard on a plane in your checked bags, but if packed in your carry on bags, you must first check with the airline.
In other words, you will have no problem getting your skateboard past airport security, but then it will be up to the airline you are flying with as to whether you will be allowed to bring your skateboard on the plane.
So, let’s look at what the individual airline skateboard policies are.
Alaska Air: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
Allegiant: You can pack your skateboard in both your carry on and checked bags.
American Airlines: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
Delta: You can pack your skateboard in both your carry on and checked bags.
Frontier: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
Hawaiian Airlines: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
JetBlue: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
Southwest:You can pack your skateboard in both your carry on and checked bags.
Spirit: You can pack your skateboard in your checked bag, but not your carry on.
United: You can pack your skateboard in both your carry on and checked bags.
So, all major and regional airlines will let you bring your skateboard on a plane in your checked bags, but only Allegiant, Delta, Southwest, and United will allow you to pack your skateboard as a carry on item.
Note that you can never be 100% certain that your skateboard will be allowed in your carry on, even if an airline states that you can online.
The final decision will be made at the airport.
Regulations Can Differ When Flying Internationally
If you are flying from the USA to an international destination or back to the USA from an international destination, you can pack your skatebaord as checked baggage with all airlines.
However, only Allegiant, Delta, Southwest, and United will allow you to pack your skateboard as a carry on item.
If you are flying with a non-U.S. airline, you will need to check with the airline to find out their policy.
Again, you should be fine to pack your skatebaord as a checked bag, but whether you can bring your skateboard on a plane as a carry on will depend on the airline.
For example, Ryanair, which is a very popular airline in the UK, won’t allow you to bring your skateboard as your carry on.
But Lufthansa, which is the flag carrier of Germany, will let you bring your skateboard as your carry on.
A Skateboard Might Count as a Carry On
Personal items generally have a size restriction of 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 9 inches high, and must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.
Carry on items must generally be no larger than 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high.
As most skateboards are generally around 28″-32″, there is no chance your skateboard will count as your personal item.
Airlines do make exceptions when it comes to carry on items, though, which why some airlines, including Allegiant, Delta, Southwest, and United will allow you to bring your skateboard on the plane as a carry on item.
You may have to purchase overhead bin space for your skateboard to be allowed onboard as your carry on.
Electric Skateboards Are Allowed
According to TSA regulations, you can bring an electric skateboard on a plane as a carry on, as long as it has a battery capacity that is less than 100Wh.
If your electric skateboard has a battery capacity of between 101Wh and 160Wh, airline approval is needed.
If your electric skateboard has a battery capacity that is greater than 160 Wh, it is not allowed.
In all cases, your electric skateboard will not be allowed to be checked in as checked baggage.
Again, each airline will have their own policy when it comes to allowing you to bring an electric skateboard on a plane as your carry on due to its size.
How to Pack Your Skateboard for Air Travel
Board the plane early: Many airlines these days require you to purchase priority boarding. If you’re traveling with a skateboard, this is definitely worth it, so you can be sure that you will find space for your skateboard in the overhead bin.
Disassemble your skateboard: It can be a good idea to disassemble your skateboard as much as possible to make things easier. Just remove your trucks and wheels and place them in your backpack.
Buy a skateboard bag or backpack: Packing your skateboard in a specially designed bag or backpack will protect it from damage when flying and give you little to worry about when placed in the overhead bin or when you check it in as a checked bag.
Bringing Your Skateboard Parts and Accessories is Fine
There are many skateboard parts and accessories, including:
Hardware (nuts, bolts, screws)
Grip tape
Decks
Bearings
Trucks
Wheels
Riser Pads
The TSA will allow you to bring all your skateboard parts and accessories in your carry on and checked bags.
You Can Also Bring a Longboard
According to TSA regulations, you can bring a longboard on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though airlines will have their own restrictions.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
