Photo: Hawaiian Airlines
Traveling to far flung destinations in search of waves is a major appeal to many who surf. However, the actual experience of flying with a surfboard can be a total nightmare. Canceled flights, broken boards and the dreaded oversize baggage fees can put a major damper on the excitement of international adventure. However, Hawaiian Airlines made an announcement recently that should make the process a little less painful for visitors to the epicenter of surfing culture.
The news came via an announcement on the Hawaiian Airlines website. In it, the airline explained that it will now accept surfboards (in addition to other sports equipment, such as bicycles and golf clubs) as standard checked baggage on every flight. “Hawaiʻi is synonymous with surfing and many ocean and land-based activities that draw visitors from around the world,” said Sandra Wang, product manager at Hawaiian Airlines. “We are excited to extend this new benefit to our visitors and kamaʻāina so they can enjoy their favorite sports and hobbies while exploring Hawaiʻi and anywhere they travel in our network, including Asia, Oceania and the U.S. continent.”
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Previously, there had been a $75 fee for transporting surfboards – a rate that was set after Billy Kemper had his board bag declined by a gate agent at Honolulu International and complained about it on social media. In response, Hawaiian Airlines changed the weight limit for board bags to 100 pounds and lowered the price to transport boards between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland from $100 to $75 and internationally from $150 to $75. At the time, there was already no charge to bring boards between Hawaii and Australia and New Zealand as part of its two-checked bag allowance.
United Airlines made a similar move for surfboard baggage fees in 2018 – but only if customers were coming in or out of California. The decision was branded as coinciding with California deeming surfing to be the state’s official sport.
