Top 5 Best Airlines for Flying with Skis in the US in 2023/2024
Take a look at Airline-Baggage-Fees.com's ranking of the most ski-friendly airlines in the US for 2023/2024, that will get you to the mountain without breaking the bank. We have reviewed and updated this list for the 2023/2024 ski season, so be sure to check it out before booking your flights this winter.
Most airlines allow a set of skis to be checked in place of a regular suitcase, and they will usually waive the oversize fee. When booking your flights, be sure to check the airline's rules about how many pairs of skis are allowed per ski bag, as well as the weight allowance for your ski bag. [AMZ asins='B083176696,B074F945NM,B08512DLZK,B07X3MMRLX']
Some airlines will bring your skis for free (we're smiling at you, Southwest!), and others have a more generous weight policy for skis that others (that would be Alaska Airlines, up to 45 kg / 100 lbs), allowing you to pack the entire family's skis or a larger quiver for yourself all into the same ski bag.
Be sure to also check the rules regarding packing your ski boots, to know whether the airline prefers they be packed together with your skis, or whether you can take a boot bag separately without incurring an extra baggage fee.
Some airlines will allow you to pack a boot bag separately, but beware of the weight limits - the standard 50 lbs / 23 kg limit usually applies to the total weight of both Skis + Boot Bag.
Be sure to also take a look at our complete listing of Ski Baggage Fees for 300+ Airlines before booking your flight, to know which airline is best for you, as well as our picks of Recommended Ski Travel Bags to protect your skis on your next trip.
1. Southwest - FREE
Southwest Airlines comes #1 on our list of Ski-Friendly US-Based Airlines for the 2023/2024 season, as they will be happy to take your skis in place of a checked bag. Best of all, your first 2 checked bags are free on Southwest, meaning you can bring your skis for free for your next trip to the mountains.
You can pack choose to pack your ski boots into a bootbag separate from your skis, and it will be treated all together as a single item, as long as the total weight remains below 50 lbs / 23 kg.
Flying with Skis on Southwest
Southwest accepts ski equipment (snow ski and water ski) free of charge, in substitution of one piece of the free Checked Baggage allowance for each Passenger at no charge on a one-item-for-one-bag basis. If the item of sporting equipment exceeds 50 pounds in weight, excess weight charges may apply.Note: Snow ski equipment will not be subject to excess size charges. However, excess weight charges may apply.
When substituting ski equipment for a free bag, Southwest Airlines allows up to two bags (containing one set of snow skis, ski poles, and ski boots) to count as one item, even if they are packed and tagged separately.
View Regular Southwest Baggage Policies 2023
2. Alaska Airlines - $30/$40
Alaska Airlines comes in 2nd on our list of most Ski-Friendly Airlines in 2023/2024, as it will accept your skis in place of a regular piece of luggage, paying only the standard checked baggage fee of $30 (or $40 if it is your second bag). The main benefit of flying with Alaska is that overweight fees are waived, so you can pack the entire family's skis together into the same ski bag to save on baggage fees. A maximum of 100 lbs / 45 kg limit still applies.You are able to bring a separate bag with your boots and a helmet, and this together with your ski bag will count as a single item.
Be sure to note that Alaska's 3rd Bag fee has increased in 2023, up to $150 from $100, so if you are bringing your skis as a 3rd piece of checked luggage, it will be quite a bit more expensive than in years past.
Alaska also offers "Ski for Free" promotion to get a free day's skiing at selected resorts using your Alaska boarding pass on the day you arrive - be sure to check the Alaska Airlines website for exact details as to which resorts are participating.
Flying with Skis on Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines accepts ski equipment as a regular piece of checked luggage. Standard checked bag fees apply, but oversize and overweight fees are waived.You may check a boot bag and helmet separately from your skis, and it will all count as a single piece. However, if you have other clothing packed into the boot/helmet bag, it will count as an additional piece of regular luggage.
One piece of ski equipment is defined as 1 pair of skis with poles, plus 1 boot/helmet bag. If ski equipment is checked in a bag that also contains clothing or additional items, standard checked baggage fees will apply to the bag. Ski equipment may exceed 62 linear inches, but no more than 115 linear inches (length + height + width), without incurring an oversize fee.
View Regular Alaska Airlines Baggage Policies 2024
View Alaska Airlines Skis Policy
3. United - $30
United Airlines is the only one of the legacy carriers that has made our list of top Ski-Friendly Airlines for the 2023/2024 season. It has cracked the list due to allowing 2 pairs of skis to be brought in your ski bag, whereas most other airlines limit you to a single pair.
United still applies a 50 lbs / 23kg weight limit for the combined weight of your ski bag and boot bag, so be sure not to exceed that when packing for your trip, otherwise an overweight fee will be charged.
Flying with Skis on United Airlines
United accepts one item of ski equipment per customer as checked baggage. Equipment must be securely encased in a suitable container. An item of ski equipment consists of:
Up to two pairs of snow skis and associated equipment in one bag and one ski boot bagIf the combined weight of the ski bag and boot bag is over 50 pounds (23 kg), applicable overweight charges apply.
A boot bag without an accompanied ski bag is considered one bag and normal baggage fees apply.
First or second checked bag service charges may apply.
Ski equipment in addition to the baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge for a single piece, whether or not it is presented as a single piece.
View Regular United Airlines Baggage Policies 2024
View United Airlines Skis Policy
4. JetBlue - $35/$45
JetBlue will also accept your skis as a replacement for a regular piece of luggage, and allow you to bring your boot bag separately. Oversize fees will not be charged.
The standard 50 lbs / 23 kg weight limit still applies, and you will be charged an overweight fee if exceeding this weight limit.
Flying with Skis on JetBlue
There is no additional charge for ski and snowboard equipment on JetBlue flights; however, one item of equipment will count as one of your checked bags. Skis and snowboards are exempt from the standard size requirements (62") but should still follow weight and other equipment guidelines.One item of ski equipment is considered:
One pair of skis, with one pair of ski boots and one pair of ski poles. (Please note: ski boots, if packed separately from skiing equipment, must be in a ski boot bag to be considered part of the one piece of checked baggage)The equipment must be checked in at the ticket counter. All ski or snowboard equipment must be in a sturdy container for protection since we do not provide ski boxes.
View Regular JetBlue Baggage Policies 2023
5. Frontier - $38/$65
Frontier Airlines is yet another low-cost airline in the US that flies your skis and boot bag in place of a regular piece of luggage. Be sure to note that you will still have to pay the standard Frontier Airlines checked baggage fee for your ski bag, but you will not incur additional oversized charges.Unfortunately, Frontier Airlines has lowered it's standard weight limit from 50 lbs to 40 lbs, and this applies also to sports equipment such as ski bags. For the 2023/2024 ski season, an Overweight charge applies if your ski equipment weighs over 40 lbs.
Frontier Airlines allows you to pack your boot bag separately from your skis, but the total weight of Ski Bag + Boot Bag is what counts toward your weight limit. Also, please note that your boot bag must weigh less than 25lbs, otherwise it will be considered an extra piece of luggage.
Flying with Skis on Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines accepts ski equipment in place of a regular piece of checked baggage. One item may include skis, ski poles, and ski boots. One pair of boots (in a boot bag) may be checked separately from the ski bag, but still count as one item as long as the boot bag does not exceed 25 pounds. If the boot bag is over 25 pounds, it will be considered a second bag.For example:
One ski bag and one pair of boots (under 25 pounds) = one item
One piece of luggage, one ski bag and one pair of boots = two items
One ski bag and one boot bag over 25 pounds = two itemsOverweight charges apply if item is 40 lbs or more.
Oversize charges do not apply to skis on Frontier Airlines.
View Regular Frontier Airlines Baggage Policies 2023
View Frontier Airlines Skis Policy
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