Understanding Guidelines on American Airlines Sports Equipment Policy

Traveling with sports equipment can be stressful, especially when you are not aware of the policies set by the airlines. The bulky size and overweight baggage often result in added flight costs for travelers, especially aspiring athletes. No matter whether you are flying for any tournament selection, participating in an ongoing match, or relocating to a new place with all your sports gear, there is a possibility that you are going to carry more luggage than allowed. The best way to avoid such complexity in the journey is to know the sports equipment policies of the airline you are flying with.

Let's dive into the sports equipment policies of American Airlines so you can confidently pack your gear. As one of the largest airlines in the USA, most travelers prefer to travel with American Airlines. This is why the airline has set a specific baggage policy for all cabin classes, ensuring travel convenience. Similarly, the airline has also set baggage rules for sports equipment, making it easier for all sports personnel.

Sports Equipment Allowed Onboard by American Airlines

American Airlines allows almost all sports equipment onboard, which can be checked as standard bags. Here is a list of some common sports equipment you can bring:

• Archery equipment with bows, arrows, and quivers.
• Baseball/Softball Equipment includes bats, gloves, balls, and protective gear.
• Bicycles
• Boogie Boards
• Bowling equipment such as balls, shoes, and bags.
• Camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and cookware fuel is not allowed.
• Cricket equipment like bats, balls, pads, and helmets.
• Fishing equipment includes rods, reels, tackle boxes, and other gear.
• Golf club accessories like bags with clubs, balls, and shoes.
• Hockey/Lacrosse Equipment with sticks, helmets, pads, and bags.
• Inline skates or roller skates with protective gear.
• Kayaking equipment includes kayaks, paddles, and life jackets.
• Kitesurfing kite with boards and harnesses.
• Parachutes with no additional items in the bag.
• Scuba diving equipment such as an empty tank, regulators, fins, masks, and wetsuits.
• Skateboards
• Skiing equipment with poles, boots, and snowboards.
• Snowboarding equipment like snowboards, boots, and bindings.
• Soccer equipment with balls, shin guards, and uniforms.
• Surfboards with an additional fee.
• Tennis equipment like rackets, balls, and bags.
• Wakeboards, bindings, and ropes.
• Water skiing equipment like skis, vests, and tow ropes.
• Windsurfing boards, sails, masts, and booms.

How do you pack sports equipment to carry aboard American Airlines?

It is important to pack your sports equipment well to ensure its safety. The airline refuses to be liable for any damage caused to equipment not packed properly in a hard case, bubble wrap, and safety box. Ensure you have tightly packed every item to minimize the movement within the bag. You can use clothes or towels as fillers. Labels like "Fragile" can indicate if the bag contains delicate gear. 

Here are a few pieces of sports gear that need special attention while being carried aboard American Airlines.

• Bicycles need to be disassembled. Deflate the tire and pack every part in a foam. The helmet needs a specific bag with padded protection.
• All your surfboards, skis, snowboards, and golf club equipment should be kept in a padded bag designed only for this gear. 
• Shooting equipment should be in a locked, hard-sided bag with unloaded rifles or shotguns.
• The scuba tank should be removed from the cylinder and packed in a case from which visual inspection is possible. 

Sports Equipment Restriction and Allowance on American Airlines

Just like carry-on bags and checked bags, the airline has set specific restrictions on the dimensions and weight of each piece of sports gear. As per the policy set by American Airlines, the maximum linear size (length + width + height) should not be above 115 in. Weight restriction for the same is around 70 lbs. Sports gear such as antlers, scuba gear, and windsurfing also have a weight restriction of 70 lbs with an approximate fee of $150. The equipment that falls under the standard checked bag category must weigh under 50 lbs and is liable for a standard checked bag fee of around $30 to $40.

Remember that this guideline is subject to change as per the cargo space and size of the aircraft you are traveling in. For example, passengers traveling to Madrid cannot carry checked items with lengths of more than 43 inches. 

For ELITE members, the airline brings no additional fare benefit. If you are flying as Oneworld Emerald customers, you get a carry bag allowance of 70 lbs free of charge for CK/EP/PRO. Rest AAdvantage Elite passengers, Oneworld elites, and credit card holders can use their points or miles to check sports equipment for free. 

To better understand the policy before traveling, reach out to the airline before flying. Also, try to notify the airline 72 hours before the departure for a hassle-free check-in process.