Select your sport

There are rules about traveling with certain types of sports equipment. Make sure you know what they are before your next trip by selecting one of the categories above.

Archery

You can bring an archery set as a checked bag. That bag can include:

• One bow case containing bows
• One quiver with arrows
• One maintenance kit strong enough to protect items from damage

Baseball

You can bring one bag of baseball equipment as a checked bag. This includes baseball bats.

Biking

Here’s how to travel with your bike as a checked bag:

• Turn the handlebars sideways and take off the pedals before packing.
• You may need to remove the front wheel of your bike depending on how the handlebars are turned. If you loosen the handlebars first the wheel can stay on, otherwise it needs to be removed.
• Pack all pieces of the bike in a case designed to transport bikes or a sealed box with plastic foam or other protective material inside. The box should be hard-sided or durable cardboard.
• Oversized fees are waived on properly packed bicycles.

Motorized or battery-powered bikes can’t be checked.

Boating and surfing

Boogie, skim and speedboards

You can bring one boogie board, skimboard or speedboard as a checked bag. We’ll also accept a board bag containing two boards.

Kayaks and canoes

We don’t accept kayaks and canoes on our flights.

Kiteboards

You can bring one kiteboard or one bag containing kiteboarding equipment as a checked bag. The kiteboard must be well padded or packed in a case to avoid scratching. Kiteboards must also meet the following dimensions:

• 115 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United
• 80 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United Express

If your flight has an extra bag limit, kiteboards aren’t accepted unless you’re traveling to Costa Rica.

Life jackets

Carbon dioxide-powered inflatable life jackets are considered dangerous items. While you can bring them in your checked bags, there are additional rules.

Oars

You can bring one pair of oars, or one oar case containing up to two oars, as a checked bag.

Surfboards, wakeboards and paddleboards

You can bring surfboards, wakeboards and paddleboards if they’re packed in board bags and:

• Weigh less than 100 pounds (45.3 kg)
• 115 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United
• Measure less than 80 inches (203 cm) if you’re flying on United Express
• The skeg or fin must be removed or padded.

If you’re flying to or from California, we’ll waive oversized bag charges for up to two of these items. If you’re connecting or have a layover in California, you aren’t eligible for this benefit.

If your flight has an extra bag limit, surfboards, wakeboards and paddleboards aren’t accepted, unless you’re flying to Costa Rica.

Wave ski

You can bring one wave ski or one bag containing equipment used in wave skiing as a checked bag. The wave ski must be padded or packed to avoid scratching. Wave skis must also meet the following dimensions:

• 115 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United
• 80 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United Express

If your flight has an extra bag limit, wave skis aren’t accepted.

Windsurfing

You can bring one set of windsurfing equipment if you’re flying on United. That set can have:

• One windsurfing board (less than 115 in or 292 cm total)
• One boom
• One mast
• One sail
• Necessary hardware for these items

This equipment should weigh less than 99.9 pounds (45.3 kg) and should be checked as a special item. It must be padded and enclosed in a package that will protect it from scratches, dents and other damage during normal handling.

You can’t bring windsurfing equipment on United Express flights or if there’s an extra bag limit on your flight.

Bowling

You can check one set of bowling equipment, including:

• One bowling bag holding up to 3 balls
• One pair of bowling shoes

Camping

You can bring camping items as checked bags. This includes:

• Tents
• Backpacks or knapsacks
• Sleeping bags

We can accept lanterns, stoves and heating equipment as well, if:

• They’re brand new
• The fuel source is removed
• The fuel has been emptied and you have a letter from the company that emptied it

Fencing and kendo

You can bring one kendo bag and one bamboo sword as a checked bag, as long as it’s packed securely.

If the bag contains anything in addition to fencing or kendo equipment, it’s subject to additional fees.

Firearms

You can travel with firearms and ammunition if they’re in checked bags, secure and declared. Visit our flying with firearms and ammunition page to see what regulations you need to follow.

Fishing

You can bring fishing equipment as a checked bag if it's packed securely. Standard bag fees and overweight charges apply. 

Dimensions allowed are:

• 115 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United
• 80 total inches (length + width + height) if you’re flying on United Express

Golf

You can bring one set of golf clubs as a checked bag if they’re in a hard-sided case. That case can include:

• One golf bag containing one set of clubs
• Golf balls
• One pair of golf shoes

You won't be charged an oversize fee for your golf bag. However, overweight bag charges may apply.

Because of the size of golf bags, there may be a delay receiving your bag at baggage claim.

Gymnastics

You can bring one piece of gymnastics equipment as a checked bag as long as it’s packed securely. This will count toward your checked bag allowance.

If the bag contains items other than gymnastics equipment, additional fees may apply.

Hang gliding

You can bring one glider as a checked bag if you’re flying on United. The combined weight for all parts of your hang-gliding equipment must be under 99.9 pounds (45.4 kg).

The maximum size of glider we can accept depends on the plane you’re on:

• Boeing 737 can transport equipment under 72 inches (183 cm) long
• Airbus 319 and 320 can transport equipment under 108 inches (274.4 cm) long
• All other planes can transport equipment under 115 inches (292.1 cm) long

If you’ve already purchased your flight, you can see the type of plane you’re on in the My Trips section of united.com or the United app. If you haven’t booked your flight yet, you can view the type of plane for each flight option in the search results for the trip you’re planning.

You can’t bring a glider on United Express flights or if there’s an extra bag limit on your flight.

Hockey and lacrosse

You can bring one hockey or lacrosse bag plus up to two hockey or lacrosse sticks taped together as one checked bag.

Javelins

You can bring javelins as checked bags if they’re packed in a hard-sided case.

Paintball

You can bring one bag containing paintball equipment as a checked bag. The paintball gun may be checked in an unlocked soft-sided or hard-sided case.

Ammunition must be in its original packaging or in a case that prevents it from breaking.

Compressed gas cylinders that aren’t in their original packaging must be empty with the regulator removed so they can be easily inspected by the TSA.

Parachutes and parasails

You can bring sport parachutes and parasails as checked bags, or as carry-on items if they meet our size restrictions.

Pole vaulting

Vaulting poles should stay at home.

Pool cues

You can bring one pool cue case containing pool cues only as a checked bag.

Scuba

You can bring one dive bag containing diving or scuba equipment as a checked bag.

A bag of scuba equipment can contain either:

• One empty scuba tank
• Up to three rebreather tanks

Your scuba tank or rebreather tanks must meet the following requirements:

• Tanks must be over 40 PSI
• The regulator valve must be completely disconnected from the empty scuba or rebreather tank
• The tank should have an open end and shouldn’t be sealed
• The tank must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection by a TSA agent

You can bring soda lime that’s 4% sodium hydroxide or less in checked bags as well.

Your empty scuba tank or rebreather tanks and your dive bag will be charged as two separate bags. The dive bag will be charged per your checked bag allowance. The tanks will be charged a service fee of $150 each way for travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or $200 for all other destinations.

Skating

Ice skates

You can bring ice skates as checked bags on all flights. In the U.S. you can pack them in carry-on bags.

If you check ice skates as an individual item, we’ll count it as part of your checked bags.

Roller skates, rollerblades and skateboards

You can bring non-powered roller skates, rollerblades and skateboards as checked bags or carry-on bags. If you’re traveling with a hoverboard or similar item, there are additional rules.

Skiing and snowboarding

You can bring one set of ski or snowboard equipment as a checked bag. The set must be in one bag and can include:

• One set of water skis
• Up to two snowboards and one snow boot bag
• Up to two pairs of snow skis and associated equipment, and one ski boot bag

If the set weighs more than 50 pounds (23kg), you’ll have to pay overweight bag fees.

If you only bring a boot bag, it’s still considered a bag of ski or snowboard equipment. Boot bags containing anything other than ski boots or equipment are subject to standard bag and weight limits. Ski equipment checked in addition to the bag allowance will be charged as an extra bag.

Tennis

You can bring one tennis racket case with balls and rackets as a checked or carry-on bag. You may have to sign a limited liability form if you haven’t properly packed your equipment.