Roller skating and blading is more popular than ever, so many people want to know if they can bring their skates and rollerblades with them when they fly.
The answer is a resounding yes.
According to the TSA, you can bring roller skates and blades on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags (you can also bring ice skates, too).
But there’s a bit more you should know before you pack your skates for your next flight.
Note that whether we mention roller skates or blades, they are both considered to be the same thing for this article, so the same rules apply.
While it’s totally fine to pack roller skates in your carry on, you might not be able to bring your powered skates or blades with you.
United, for example, say that you are not allowed to bring powered skates onboard.
Flying Internationally With Roller Skates
Whether you’re flying domestically in the U.S. with Delta, Southwest, American Airlines, Spirit, or any other major or regional carrier, or even internationally with an international airline, makes no difference.
Regardless of who you’re flying with and where to, you will be able to pack your roller skates in both your carry on and checked bags.
How to Pack Roller Skates for Flying
Whether you pack your roller skates in your carry on bag or checked bag, there are a few things we recommend:
If you want to reduce the likelihood of losing your roller skates to practically zero, pack them in your carry on.
Make sure that you keep your rollerblades easily accessible in case an airport security officer wants to inspect them.
Try to keep your skates in a small bag, so they will count as your personal item. Better yet, keep them in your carry on bag, so you can use your personal item allowance for another item.
If you have to check your roller skates, use an Apple Air Tag, so you can keep track of your bag in the event that it gets lost.
Don’t Wear Roller Skates at the Airport
If you think that it would be a good idea to wear your roller skates at the airport to get around more quickly, you wouldn’t be the first person to have had that idea.
However, most airports prohibit passengers from wearing and using rollerblades at the airport because it can be a safety concern.
It wouldn’t be illegal or anything like that, but if you are skating in the airport and are asked to stop, you must stop, so you don’t risk getting in trouble and missing your flight.
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).
