Taking a surfboard on a plane? American Airlines scraps oversize bag fees

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Taking a surfboard on a plane? American Airlines scraps oversize bag fees | Secret Flying

American Airlines said it would start treating certain big sporting items like regular checked bags.

 

American Airlines has scrapped the extra fees for common oversized sporting equipment and musical instruments.

 

Previously, passengers would need to pay $150 to check-in bicycles, surfboards, skis or musical instruments like a cello for a domestic flight.

 

That’s all changed from today, where the flat fee for flying with these items is now $30 – as long as the item weighs less than 50 pounds.

 

In a statement, the carrier said: “The updated policies, which will be music to the ears of musicians who fly on American, will also ensure that customers can more easily pursue active and healthy lifestyles wherever their travels may take them, without having to pay additional oversize bag fees.”

 

 

The policy went into effect immediately, as of May 21.

 

However, not all sporting equipment will see the change.

 

Antlers, hang gliders, scuba tanks, and windsurfing items are exempt from the new policy and will still incur a $150 fee.

 

Last year, baggage fees generated $1.2 billion for American Airlines, the most among US carriers.