Your Guide to Airlines' Ski and Snowboard Policies

Snowboards, skis and poles, oh my! Flying with winter sports equipment can be a little intimidating. Luckily, many airlines are more than happy to accommodate travelers looking to revel in popular snow sports and flying with your equipment isn’t as complicated as it might sound. So get ready to hit the slopes and shred some serious powder while not worrying if your board will make it to the carousel. 

American Airlines

Similar to other airlines, American allows travelers to fly with one pair of skis or one snowboard and one equipment bag. Passengers can travel with one pair of skis with poles or a snowboard; one pair of ski or snowboard boots/bindings; or one helmet or life preserver. If the content of a bag weighs more than 50 pounds, travelers will be charged the standard checked bag fee. 

Delta Airlines

Travelers can check ski and snowboard equipment on Delta flights as checked baggage. Delta accepts one ski/pole bag or one snowboard bag and boot bag per person. It is important to keep in mind that the combined weight of both items may not exceed the standard baggage allowance of 50 pounds.

Frontier Airlines

Those flying with Frontier Airlines can choose to check ski equipment in place of a regular piece of checked bagged. Equipment that qualifies as “one item” includes skis, ski poles and ski boots. Note: one pair of boots in a boot bag can be checked separately from the ski bag but will still be counted as one item as long as the bag is under 25 pounds. If the bag is over 25 pounds it will count as a second bag.

JetBlue

On JetBlue, travelers can add skis, snowboards and all associated equipment as a checked bag during booking or after they arrive at the airport. These items do not qualify for an oversized bag fee meaning that travelers only need to pay the checked bag fee associated with the fare purchased.

Southwest Airlines

Passengers flying Southwest can check in sports equipment including skis, snowboards, ski boots and ski poles in substitution of one of their free checked bag allowances per flight. When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately. The equipment must also be encased in a container that is approved and acceptable by the airline.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines charges ski and snowboarding equipment as a standard checked bag. Spirit allows travelers either one pair of skis, one pair of ski poles and one pair of ski boots or one snowboard and one pair of boots. Skiers and snowboarders will also be required to sign a limited liability release when flying with these items. 

Sun Country

Ski and snowboard equipment is accepted on Sun Country flights and travelers can bring one item consisting of either one pair of skis, one pair of ski poles, one pair of ski bindings and one pair of ski boots or one snowboard, one set of bindings and one set of snowboard boots. Sun Country allows a maximum of two pairs of skis per bag and skis and snowboards can be up to six feet in length. Note: snow equipment will replace a regular suitcase as a piece of checked luggage.

United Airlines

United allows each customer to travel with one item of ski or snowboard equipment as checked baggage so long as the equipment is secure in a suitable container. Acceptable items include: water skis, up to two snowboards in one bag and one snow boot bag, up to two pairs of snow skis and equipment in one bag and another ski boot bag.

Disclaimer: Always check with the airline directly before flying with your equipment to be absolutely sure that you are following their rules.

About the Author

Senior Editor for VAX VacationAccess and world explorer, Jenna loves writing about all things travel. When she’s not busy creating content, she spends her time exploring the great outdoors, cuddling with her two black cats and researching her next big (sometimes strange) adventure.