Avoid Surprises: Flying with Your Opti Spars and Sails

You will likely find yourself traveling with a sail and spars to national or international destinations. This article will guide you through the options and costs to get your gear to your destination and back, assuming air travel.

Gear dimensions

First, these are the dimensions of the Optimist spars, you will need them to determine what option will be the best and most economical for you.

Boom: 190 cm or 78"
Sprit: 228 cm or 90"
Mast: 226 cm or 89"

Traveling within the United States

Unless you have some type of frequent flier airline perks, the punchline is simple:

Fly Alaska or American Airlines, avoid United, Delta, or low-cost airlines. Alaska and American have the friendliest baggage policies and offer the least-expensive option for traveling with a tube.
Sailing gear is considered fishing gear. Sailing gear is not common enough to have a baggage classification with the airlines. The closest classification and the one all sailors use is fishing gear.
Pay for your check-in luggage ahead of time. You are less likely to have any problems or be charged an oversize fee if you pay for you checked-in luggage at the time of reservation. Just read the policies carefully and choose the type of luggage accordingly.

The table below outlines your other options and costs.

Airline	Sporting Equipment Policy URL	Fishing Equipment Policy and Allowance	Fishing Equipment Fee	Oversize Baggage Policy and Allowance	Oversize Equipment Fee
United	United Airlines Traveling with sports equipment	Generally considered one item (rods, tackle box, etc.) when properly packed.	Varies by item and route. Subject to standard, oversize, and/or overweight fees.	63-115 linear inches (160-292 cm) accepted with fee. Over 115 linear inches (292 cm) generally not accepted.	$200
Delta	Delta Air Lines Sporting Equipment	Generally considered one item (rods, reels, tackle box, etc.) when properly packed. 115 linear inches (292 cm) max.	Subject to standard checked baggage fees, plus oversize and/or overweight fees if applicable. Check Delta's site for specifics.	63-115 linear inches (160-292 cm) accepted with fee (domestic). Over 115 linear inches (292 cm) generally not accepted.	$200 (domestic). Varies for international.
American Airlines	American Airlines Specialty and sports items	Two rods and one reel in a case, fishing tackle, a landing net, fishing boots, and one pair of waders (properly encased) count as one checked item. Max 126 in (320 cm).	Standard checked bag fees apply up to 50 lbs (23 kgs). Over 50 lbs (23 kgs) subject to overweight fees. Oversize fees typically do not apply for fishing equipment within the 126-inch limit.	Over 62 in (158 cm) up to 115 in (292 cm) accepted with fee. Over 115 in (292 cm) generally not accepted.	Varies by size and route (e.g., $200 for 63-115 in on US domestic).
Alaska	Alaska Airlines Traveling with sports equipment	One piece of fishing equipment is defined as two rods, two reels, and one tackle box. Counts as one checked piece.	Subject to standard checked baggage fees. Oversize fee applies if exceeding 62 linear inches (158 cm). Overweight fee applies if exceeding 50 lbs (23 kg).	63-115 linear inches (160-292 cm) accepted with fee. Over 115 linear inches (292 cm) generally not accepted.	$150
Southwest	Southwest Airlines Optional Travel Charges - Sporting Equipment	Fishing equipment is accepted. Counts as one item towards your checked bag allowance.	Generally included in the two free checked bags allowance, if within size and weight limits. Oversize fees apply if exceeded.	Over 62 inches (158 cm) up to 80 inches (203 cm) accepted with fee. Over 80 inches (203 cm) not accepted as checked baggage.	$200
Frontier	Frontier Airlines Bag Options - Special Items (Information often found under general Bag Options or Optional Services)	Fishing rods are listed as acceptable sporting equipment when packed in fishing rod tubes or cases. Counts as one checked item.	Subject to standard checked baggage fees, plus oversize and/or overweight fees if applicable. Check Frontier's site for specifics.	63-110 linear inches (160-279 cm) accepted with fee. Over 110 linear inches (279 cm) not accepted.	$75
Spirit	Spirit Airlines Bag Info - Special Items (Information often found under Bag Info or Optional Services)	Fishing equipment is accepted as checked baggage. Counts as one item.	Subject to standard checked baggage fees, plus oversize and/or overweight fees if applicable. Check Spirit's site for specifics and Bag-O-Tron for dynamic pricing.	63-80 linear inches (158-203 cm) accepted with fee ($100). 80-160 linear inches (203-406 cm) accepted with fee ($150). Over 160 linear inches (406 cm) not accepted.	$100 or $150 (depending on size)

Traveling to and from Europe

Traveling in Europe with a tube is significantly more complicated and costly. We recommend you avoid it if you can. Most of the time, it's cheaper to order a new sail for the event and give it away after than to transport the sail both ways. So, unless you have some type of frequent flier airline perks, the punchline is simple:

Avoid carrying a tube, or fly with American carriers. European carriers are not friendly to tubes. They don't like them and don't know what to do with them. British Airways may be the only exception. So, avoid bringing a tube, and if you do try to fly American carriers or be ready to pay ridiculous fees. We recommend buying a sail ahead of time instead. They are usually discounted and available for sale ahead of the event.
If you are carrying a tube, do not use regional airlines. Most discount/regional European airlines fly smaller jets, and they will deny you carrying a tube. We have horror stories about people changing flights and not being able to carry their tube back. If you are carrying a tube, check the type of aircraft or avoid regional carriers.
If you are carrying a tube, buy one higher class fare ticket. Buy one ticket with a higher fare that may let you check-in the tube at a lower cost and buy the rest of your tickets at a lower fare. It may not always work, but it's worth a try. Just make sure you have proof of the policy on-hand when you check-in at the airport. Agents will rarely be aware of their sporting equipment policies.
Consider folding your sail into a hard shell carry-on luggage. Most European airlines will let you check-in carry-on sized luggage for free. If you have to pay for the additional bag it will be significantly less than a tube (US$65 vs. $280 each way).
If you are carrying a tube, make a reservation. Almost all European carriers require a reservation for oversize luggage. So, call the carrier make the reservation and have them tell you ahead of time the cost of carrying the tube both ways.

The table below outlines your other options and costs.

Airline	Sporting Equipment Policy URL	Fishing Equipment Policy and Allowance	Fishing Equipment Fee	Oversize Baggage Policy and Allowance	Oversize Equipment Fee
Lufthansa	Lufthansa Sports baggage and special baggage	Accepted as sports baggage when properly packed. Counts towards or exceeds free baggage allowance depending on fare/route. Maximum length limits apply (e.g., Short boards up to 200cm, Long boards up to 315cm).	Flat rates for sports equipment apply if exceeding free baggage allowance. Varies by route (e.g., within Europe, intercontinental). Check baggage calculator.	Items exceeding standard dimensions (usually 158cm linear) up to 292cm linear are considered excess baggage. Over 292cm linear may require freight.	Flat rates for excess baggage apply. Varies by route (e.g., €100 within Europe, €200-€300 intercontinental for 158-292cm).
British Airways	British Airways Flying with sports equipment	Fishing equipment is accepted. Counts as part of your checked baggage allowance. Must be packed securely. Maximum size for most larger items is 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).	Subject to standard checked baggage fees or extra bag charges if exceeding free allowance. Over 23kg may incur a heavy bag charge (£65 GBP / €75 EUR / $100 USD).	Items larger than standard size (90 x 75 x 43 cm) but not exceeding 190 x 75 x 65cm are considered oversized. Items over 190 x 75 x 65cm may require cargo.	Overweight bag fee (£65 GBP / €75 EUR / $100 USD) applies if over 23kg (up to 32kg max). Extra bag charges apply if exceeding piece allowance.
Air France	Air France Special baggage	Accepted as sports equipment. Total dimensions up to 300 cm (118 in) and weight up to 23 kg (50 lb) (32 kg / 70 lb in Business/La Première). Prior approval may be required for items over 180cm on some planes.	Counted towards checked luggage allowance. If exceeding allowance or on a Lite/Basic ticket, extra fees apply. Fees vary by route and ticket type (e.g., €25-€40 within Europe, €85+ intercontinental).	Items over 158 cm (linear) up to 300 cm (118 in) linear accepted with fee. Over 300 cm linear or 32kg (70lb) may require freight and prior approval.	Extra charges apply based on ticket type and route for bags over 158cm linear (e.g., €70 within Europe, €85+ intercontinental).
Finnair	Finnair Special baggage	Fishing equipment is considered special baggage. Accepted when packed to fit within the weight and size limits of a standard bag (up to 23kg, 90x75x45cm) or with an extra charge if larger.	Subject to extra baggage fees if exceeding standard bag limits. Pricing is the same as for normal extra checked bags. Fees vary by route. Heavy bag charge applies if over 23kg (up to 32kg).	Bags exceeding standard dimensions (90x75x45cm) up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm accepted with heavy and/or oversized bag charge. Over 190x75x65cm generally requires cargo.	Heavy and/or oversized bag charge applies (€150 within Finland/Europe, €300 intercontinental for items like surfboards over 210cm or windsurfing equipment). Heavy fee for bags over 23kg up to 32kg.
Ryanair	Ryanair Bag Rules - Sports & Music Equipment Luggage	Large fishing rods are listed as large sporting equipment. Must weigh up to 20kg.	Flat fee for large sporting equipment applies per item, per way. Check fee table on their website for exact price.	Large sporting equipment with combined dimensions of more than 80cms (height), 120cms (width), and 120cms (depth) up to a certain size (varies by item) accepted for a fee. Over 32kg or excessive dimensions not accepted.	Flat fee for oversized checked baggage applies if a standard bag exceeds dimensions. Specific fees for categories of sports equipment apply if exceeding standard bag size/weight.
Turkish Airlines	Turkish Airlines Sports Equipment	Accepted as sports equipment. Counts as one set of equipment. Limited to 23 kg per set. Must be in a special case and packed to prevent damage.	Charged according to the Sports Equipment Fee Schedule. Varies by route (domestic vs. international) and item. Extra charges for stopovers at international stations. Sports Equipment Special Charges	Over 23 kg (for one set of sports equipment) considered a second set and charged. Items exceeding 203 cm (80 linear inches) overall dimensions for certain regions/items.	Charged according to the Sports Equipment Fee Schedule. 1 set (up to 23kg) is one fee. Over 23kg is considered an additional set and charged accordingly. Varies by route and item. Sports Equipment Special Charges
easyJet	easyJet Sports equipment	Fishing equipment is listed as acceptable sports equipment. Can be booked as Small (20kg max) or Large (32kg max) sports equipment.	Flat fee applies for Small or Large sports equipment. Fees vary depending on the size category booked (Small or Large) and when booked (online vs. airport).	Two size allowances for sports equipment: Small (20kg max) and Large (32kg max). Pole vaults up to 450cm mentioned. Check policy for specific dimensions per equipment type.	Flat fee applies based on whether booked as Small (20kg max) or Large (32kg max) sports equipment. Check fees and charges page for exact pricing.

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