subject: What Do I Do If I'm Taking Skis On The Flight? [print this page] Taking skis on flights is a common question because their size and weight is in such contravention to airline regulations but it can be simple.
Skis often exceed flight regulation guidelines, but you'll likely find that skis are something that people regularly take on planes, and that airlines have good guidelines on what to do when a customer brings skis on boards. Some flights have many more passengers with skis than others, due to some flights heading to common vacation destinations where one can ski. But when moving house or delivering a present, for example taking flights from Raleigh to San Jose the airline may not allow it to be free to transport the skis.
Calling the airline before you travel will ensure that there are no nasty surprises. Flights from Anchorage to Seattle are much better to equipped to deal with skis as many visitors will have been skiing in Alaska. So there may not be a charge, but again it's important to check first. Some airlines may not even allow you to take skis, or may charge you a large amount to take the skis if you do not tell them before that you'll be taking the skis.
Be sure to pack the skis well. You should always remember to label both each individual ski, the case that the skis are wrapped and protected in, and on the outside of the package. Packaging is often ripped while going through the airport and its baggage system, so to ensure your skis meet you at the other side, put your destination on every layer. You may know that flights from Norfolk to San Diego is the one that you'll be regularly be taking, but the airline does not, so label appropriately and ensure you can get your skis on the other side with no problem.
