Hawaiian Airlines Waves Surfboard Fees Goodbye
A wide range of other sporting equipment is also included in the new policy
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
Thrill-seekers flying to Hawaii with Hawaiian Airlines can now enjoy cheaper travel to the islands after the airline updated its baggage policy to include surfboards, bicycles, and other sports equipment as standard checked bags, removing the need for an additional fee.
Passengers flying with surfboards, bicycles, and other bulky sporting equipment, such as fishing equipment, scuba diving gear, canoes, and golf clubs, can now check in their items as standard checked baggage, whereas previously, they would be charged extra.
Key Restrictions and Requirements
However, the new rules come with certain restrictions. For example, bicycles and windsurfing equipment up to 70 pounds (32 kg) will be accepted as standard baggage, while all other permitted sporting equipment must not exceed 50 pounds (23 kg). Sporting equipment will also be subject to dimension requirements, with Hawaiian permitting:
Up to 62 linear inches (132 cm) for bowling equipment, baseball equipment, boogie boards, wakeboards, skim boards, permitted firearms, fishing equipment, football/tennis/paintball equipment, and scuba equipment.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
Or up to 115 linear inches (292 cm) for bicycle equipment, windsurfing equipment, archery equipment, canoes/canoe paddles/kayaks, golfing equipment, hockey/lacrosse/pole vault equipment, skateboards, ski/snowboard equipment, surfboards/paddleboards/kiteboards.
Passengers will still be able to bring equipment that exceeds the above dimensions, although they will be charged additional fees for oversized and overweight bags. However, Hawaiian Airlines will still not permit hand-gliding equipment on any flights.
Currently, passengers on inter-island flights are charged $30 for their first checked bag and $50 for their second, while those on flights between Hawaii and North America are charged $40 and $45 for their first and second checked bags, respectively.
Meanwhile, first class passengers, guests who book tickets with the Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Mastercard, and all those on international flights (except Australia and New Zealand) can take two checked bags for free, while those flying to Australia or New Zealand get one free checked bag but are charged $100 for a second.
Impact of Recent Social Media Incident
Hawaiian’s baggage policy came to public attention in November 2023 after professional surfer Billy Kemper posted on social media about his difficulties in checking in his surfboards. At the time, he was traveling with two surfboards in a single bag exceeding 50 pounds, and after adjusting his luggage to meet the requirements, he was still denied boarding.
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines
Following this incident, Hawaiian updated its policy to allow surfboard bags of up to 100 pounds (45 kg) and reduced special baggage fees, but this latest policy shift goes one step further.
Exclusive Benefits
“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.”
Photo: Courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines / Alex Viernes
Hawaiian’s new baggage policy coincided with the airline’s launch of ‘Huakaʻi by Hawaiian,’ a free membership program for Hawaii residents. By signing up, members can benefit from a free checked bag on inter-island flights and up to 20% off on flights.
