--- title: "Special baggage rules | AirlineLimits" description: "Golf, skis, surfboards, bicycles, strollers and musical instruments — rules and tips for flying with special items." canonical: "https://airlinelimits.com/en/special-baggage/" language: "en" format: clean-markdown-mirror --- This is the clean Markdown mirror of [https://airlinelimits.com/en/special-baggage/](https://airlinelimits.com/en/special-baggage/). Editorial content is maintained on the canonical HTML page. # Special baggage rules Sports gear, instruments and baby equipment often have their own rules. Always check the airline before booking. Planning overview only: exact dimensions, weights, fees, included items and booking deadlines are airline- and fare-specific. Never rely on a generic value. Often overlooked ## Drones, power banks and spare batteries Battery rules can decide whether tech equipment belongs in the cabin, needs airline approval or cannot travel as passenger baggage. [Open the battery and drone guide](https://airlinelimits.com/en/lithium-batteries/) ## Golf equipment Golf bags may count as checked or sports baggage. Weight, included items, fees and advance booking depend on the airline and fare. ## Ski & snowboard gear Airlines define which bags and items form one sports-baggage piece. Check packaging, piece count, dimensions, weight and booking requirements. ## Surfboards Acceptance can depend on board length, aircraft and route. Confirm packaging, advance booking and fees with the operating airline. ## Bicycles Packing, battery, handlebar and tyre requirements vary. Check the airline instructions before dismantling or packing a bicycle. ## Strollers & car seats Allowance, gate-check and packaging rules depend on airline, route and child ticket. Confirm what is included before travel. ## Musical instruments Cabin, extra-seat and checked transport each have specific size, weight, case and booking conditions. Use the airline’s instrument policy. ## Check the packed item, not just the equipment These questions help uncover conditions that are easy to miss between booking, packing and airport handover. 1. Before booking - Measure and weigh the item in its finished travel case or bag. - Check how many pieces the airline counts and what may be packed together. - Check route, aircraft and fare restrictions for the actual itinerary. - Find out whether registration is enough or explicit confirmation is required. 2. Before packing - Use the airline's instructions for dismantling, securing and protecting the item. - Identify batteries, cartridges, tools or liquids and check the dangerous-goods rules separately. - Remove loose parts and protect pressure points that could be damaged in handling. - Check every operating carrier when the itinerary includes partner airlines. 3. Before handover - Confirm where the item is accepted and where it will be collected. - Allow for a different counter or earlier acceptance time. - Record the packed condition, serial number and contents where useful. - Keep booking confirmation, receipts and relevant instructions available offline. Value and cover check ## Would a loss be difficult to absorb? This is not a recommendation to buy insurance. It is a prompt to compare the item's value with the protection you already have. - Does home, travel or card insurance already apply? - Are sports gear, instruments, batteries or business use excluded? - Which events are covered: damage, theft, delay or loss? - What are the limit, deductible and replacement-value rules? - Would you need receipts, photos, serial numbers or a valuation? - Which reports and deadlines apply after a problem? Airline liability and insurance cover are different things. Read the current terms and seek independent advice if the value or risk is substantial. [UK guidance on travel insurance](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-insurance) [EU overview of baggage liability](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=legissum%3Al24169) ## Special baggage by airline Compare sports equipment, musical instrument and medical-equipment status across 50 researched airlines. This status overview is a starting point. Acceptance, packing, fees and advance registration can depend on the item, fare, route, aircraft and operating airline. Check the airline's current official rules before booking and departure. - [Aer Lingus EI Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ei/#special-baggage-heading) - [Air Canada AC Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ac/#special-baggage-heading) - [Air China CA Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ca/#special-baggage-heading) - [Air France AF Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/af/#special-baggage-heading) - [Air India AI Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ai/#special-baggage-heading) - [Air New Zealand NZ Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/nz/#special-baggage-heading) - [Alaska Airlines AS Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/as/#special-baggage-heading) - [American Airlines AA Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/aa/#special-baggage-heading) - [ANA NH Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/nh/#special-baggage-heading) - [Austrian Airlines OS Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/os/#special-baggage-heading) - [Avianca AV Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/av/#special-baggage-heading) - [British Airways BA Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/27/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ba/#special-baggage-heading) - [Brussels Airlines SN Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/sn/#special-baggage-heading) - [Cathay Pacific CX Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/cx/#special-baggage-heading) - [Condor DE Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/15/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/de/#special-baggage-heading) - [Delta Air Lines DL Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/27/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/dl/#special-baggage-heading) - [easyJet U2 Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/u2/#special-baggage-heading) - [Emirates EK Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ek/#special-baggage-heading) - [Ethiopian Airlines ET Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/et/#special-baggage-heading) - [Etihad Airways EY Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ey/#special-baggage-heading) - [Eurowings EW Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ew/#special-baggage-heading) - [Finnair AY Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ay/#special-baggage-heading) - [Frontier Airlines F9 Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/f9/#special-baggage-heading) - [Iberia IB Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ib/#special-baggage-heading) - [IndiGo 6E Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/6e/#special-baggage-heading) - [ITA Airways AZ Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/az/#special-baggage-heading) - [Japan Airlines JL Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/jl/#special-baggage-heading) - [JetBlue B6 Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/b6/#special-baggage-heading) - [KLM KL Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/kl/#special-baggage-heading) - [Korean Air KE Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/15/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ke/#special-baggage-heading) - [LATAM Airlines LA Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/la/#special-baggage-heading) - [LOT Polish Airlines LO Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/27/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/lo/#special-baggage-heading) - [Lufthansa LH Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/lh/#special-baggage-heading) - [Malaysia Airlines MH Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/mh/#special-baggage-heading) - [Norwegian DY Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/dy/#special-baggage-heading) - [Pegasus Airlines PC Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/pc/#special-baggage-heading) - [Qantas QF Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/qf/#special-baggage-heading) - [Qatar Airways QR Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/qr/#special-baggage-heading) - [Ryanair FR Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/fr/#special-baggage-heading) - [SAS SK Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/sk/#special-baggage-heading) - [Singapore Airlines SQ Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/sq/#special-baggage-heading) - [Southwest Airlines WN Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/wn/#special-baggage-heading) - [SunExpress XQ Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/16/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/xq/#special-baggage-heading) - [SWISS LX Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/lx/#special-baggage-heading) - [TAP Air Portugal TP Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/tp/#special-baggage-heading) - [Turkish Airlines TK Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/12/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/tk/#special-baggage-heading) - [United Airlines UA Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ua/#special-baggage-heading) - [Virgin Atlantic VS Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/vs/#special-baggage-heading) - [Vueling VY Sports equipment Varies Musical instruments Varies Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/14/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/vy/#special-baggage-heading) - [Wizz Air W6 Sports equipment Allowed Musical instruments Allowed Medical equipment Allowed Last checked: 7/27/2026 View special baggage rules →](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/w6/#special-baggage-heading) [Browse all baggage guides](https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/) ## Structured data ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://airlinelimits.com/en/special-baggage/", "url": "https://airlinelimits.com/en/special-baggage/", "name": "Special baggage rules", "description": "Golf, skis, surfboards, bicycles, strollers and musical instruments — rules and tips for flying with special items.", "inLanguage": "en" }, { "@type": "ItemList", "name": "Special baggage guides by airline", "numberOfItems": 50, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Aer Lingus", "url": "https://airlinelimits.com/en/airlines/ei/#special-baggage-heading" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Air Canada", "url": 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