Sports equipment
Flying with a surfboard
Surfboards go in the hold and must be added to your booking. easyJet, Jet2.com and Wizz Air allow boards up to 32 kg; Ryanair’s sports limit is 20 kg. Jet2 sets a maximum board length of 300 cm, and Wizz Air’s overall size limit of 149 × 119 × 171 cm applies to boards too.
Surfboards by airline
| Airline | How it travels | Weight | Size | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair Large sports equipment (hold, up to 20kg) | Hold, added to your booking | Up to 20 kg | No size limit stated on the page | See Ryanair’s sports equipment page for how to add it to your booking. Fees vary. |
| easyJet Large sports equipment (up to 32kg) | Hold, added to your booking for a fee | Up to 32 kg | No size limit stated on the page | Add it when you book, in Manage Bookings or during online check-in. Adding it at the airport costs more. |
| Jet2.com Hold baggage (up to 32kg) | Hold, added to your booking | Up to 32 kg | Up to 300 cm long | See Jet2’s sports equipment page for how to add it to your booking, plus detailed packing and restriction notes. |
| British Airways Part of your checked baggage allowance | Counts as part of your checked baggage allowance | No weight limit stated on the page | No size limit stated on the page | Check BA’s sports equipment page for item-specific rules, and tell BA in advance if it’s oversize. |
| Wizz Air Sports equipment (one item, up to 32kg) | Hold, added to your booking for a fee | Up to 32 kg | Up to 149 × 119 × 171 cm | Add it when you book, or at least 3 hours before departure in your WIZZ Profile. Space is limited on each flight, so adding it at booking is recommended. |
| TUI Airways Sports equipment (must be pre-booked) | Must be pre-booked by phone | No weight limit stated on the page | No size limit stated on the page | Call TUI as soon as possible on 0203 451 2688 to pre-book it onto your flight. If you don’t pre-book, TUI may refuse to carry it. |
Check your board bag
Check the length, not just the weight
With a surfboard, length can matter as much as weight. Jet2 sets a 300 cm maximum and Wizz Air has one size limit for all sports equipment. The other airlines don’t publish a board length on the pages we checked. For longboards, measure the board bag rather than the board, and check with the airline before you book if it’s close.
Packing a board for the hold
Jet2 gives the most detailed rules, and they’re a good standard for any airline:
- Remove the fins, or protect them securely if they can’t be removed.
- Protect the nose and tail.
- Carry the board in a suitably padded surf bag.
Surf equipment must be packed in a pouch. Wizz Air can’t provide packaging. Equipment not packed as required won’t be carried.
If you need one, look for a padded surfboard travel bag on Amazon UK (opens in a new tab) (paid link) a little longer than your board, and check the bag’s length against your airline’s limit.
Windsurf kit
Wind surfers or surfboards are in easyJet’s large (32kg max) category. Other airlines don’t mention windsurfers separately on the pages we checked.