The list of things that can go wrong on your Indo trip is a long one. So we have put together our own list of the most used airlines internationally and domestically in Indonesia and a quick helpful breakdown of their fees, restrictions and any other helpful tips we thought might take a bit of stress off that next airline departure.
First off, this is by no means 100% accurate. Airline policies often change and as we have discovered they are not always specific when it comes to “oversized” items.
We have compiled as much information direct from the airline websites, from well known blogs and also our first hand experience.
International flights
| Airline | Boards included in checked? | Surfboard size restrictions | Notes (route/aircraft specifics, costs) | Real-world sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | ✅ Yes — counts toward checked allowance when packed securely. | “Odd-size” baggage guideline 200 × 75 × 80 cm (not surf-specific). | Standard excess/oversize fees apply beyond allowance; check longboard fit on connecting aircraft. | 1️⃣ Kala Surf Camp — says SQ handles boards carefully; longboards OK. 2️⃣ LMBK Surf House — rates SQ among the easiest for Bali. 3️⃣ HoStevie — confirms free within allowance. |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | ✅ Yes — sports equipment included (1 bag ≤ 32 kg). | No surf-specific figure; general long-item limit ≈ 300 cm (L + W + H). | Oversize handled per sports-gear rates; confirm on long routes or smaller aircraft. | 1️⃣ Rapture Surfcamps — Doha transfers smooth. 2️⃣ HoStevie — “free within weight limit.” 3️⃣ The Inertia — Qatar among surf-friendly airlines. |
| Emirates (EK) | ✅ Yes — included if ≤ 300 cm total. | > 150 cm = oversize fee; > 300 cm cargo only. | Route-based pricing; confirm Dubai–Denpasar leg and aircraft type. | 1️⃣ LMBK Surf House — 9′6″ boards fine. 2️⃣ Kala Surf Camp — Emirates reliable for Indo trips. 3️⃣ HoStevie — lists 300 cm cap. |
| Malaysia Airlines (MH) | ✅ Yes — one surfboard/windsurf set included. | Surf-specific max 2.5 m (250 cm); over not accepted. | Strict cap applies regardless of route; excess only if overweight. | 1️⃣ Kala Surf Camp — confirms 2.5 m hard limit. 2️⃣ HoStevie — “free ≤ 2.5 m.” 3️⃣ The Inertia — identical restriction. |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) | ✅ Often — can replace one checked piece (pre-book required). | 107 – 300 cm, ≤ 23 kg (Eco) / 32 kg (Biz). | Must reserve in advance; €55–€100 each way; > 300 cm cargo only. | 1️⃣ HoStevie — cites €55–€100. 2️⃣ Rapture Surfcamps — easy handling, low breakage. 3️⃣ The Inertia — consistent 300 cm policy. |
| Cathay Pacific (CX) | ✅ Yes — counts within standard allowance. | General sports limit ≤ 203 cm (not surf-specific). | Oversize charged as extra bag; regional A320/321s have smaller holds. | 1️⃣ LMBK Surf House — OK for shortboards. 2️⃣ HoStevie — 203 cm cap listed. 3️⃣ The Inertia — same 203 cm rule. |
| China Southern (CZ) | ❌ No — surfboards excluded from free allowance. | Sports-gear perimeter ≤ 300 cm (not surf-specific). | Always charged as excess; costs differ by route; call local office. | 1️⃣ HoStevie — confirms extra fee. 2️⃣ The Inertia — same. 3️⃣ Surfline Forum — travelers note variable pricing and staff confusion. |
| Etihad Airways (EY) | ✅ Yes — surfboards within checked allowance. | Surf-specific max 300 cm / 32 kg; > 300 cm cargo. | Some smaller partner aircraft tighter; otherwise free if within limit. | 1️⃣ Kala Surf Camp — Etihad praised for consistent acceptance. 2️⃣ HoStevie — confirms free ≤ 3 m. 3️⃣ The Inertia — same 3 m policy. |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | ⚠️ Yes – as special baggage; fee applies. | Surf-specific max 292 cm × 60 cm. | Reservation required; €30–€60 typical fee; depends on route. | 1️⃣ HoStevie — 292 cm cap + fee. 2️⃣ The Inertia — same dimensions. 3️⃣ LMBK Surf House — confirms success flying 9′ boards pre-booked. |
| Scoot (TR) | ✅ Yes – counts toward pre-purchased checked allowance. | No surf-specific; practical limit ≈ 190 cm / 10 kg (LCC narrow-body). | Longboards usually cargo; buy weight early (cheaper). | 1️⃣ Rapture Surfcamps — fine for shortboards only. 2️⃣ HoStevie — notes 190 cm limit. 3️⃣ LMBK Surf House — confirms inconsistent enforcement. |
Summary Insights
- Most longboard-friendly: Etihad, Emirates, KLM, Turkish (≈ 3 m).
- Strictest caps: Malaysia (2.5 m), Cathay (2.03 m).
- Low-cost reality: Scoot ≈ 190 cm limit, pay per kilo.
- Charged by default: China Southern.
- Blog consensus: Singapore, Emirates, Etihad, KLM are the smoothest choices for surf-travel into Bali.
Domestic Airlines
| Airline | Boards included in checked? | Surfboard size restrictions | Notes (routes/fees route-specific) | Turbo-prop / small aircraft (size + typical fee) | Real-world sources (with brief summary) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garuda Indonesia (GA) | ✅ Yes — boards accepted as checked sports equipment. | Up to ~300 cm on jets; 23–32 kg per piece standard. | Free if within allowance; oversize/overweight = cargo. | ATR/prop routes: limit ~160 cm. | 1️⃣ BGS Bali: “Garuda is most surfer-friendly; boards up to ~200 cm included.” 2️⃣TripAdvisor: “Board-bag ~27 kg counted as normal baggage, no fee.”3️⃣ UpgradedPoints:“Sports gear up to 32 kg counts as checked item; larger items go cargo.” |
| Lion Air (JT) | ❌ No — surfboards charged separately; not in free allowance. | Typical max ~230 cm; 23 kg limit. | Charged per board (avg IDR 200k). | Wings Air handles prop routes (see below). | 1️⃣ LMBK Surf House: “Lion/Batik charge ≈ IDR 200k per board.”2️⃣ Kala Surf Camp:“Lion/Batik boards ≤ 230 cm, counted separately.”3️⃣ RealSurfTravel: “Boards ~$20 USD each; size 200–230 cm.” |
| Batik Air (ID/OD) | ❌ Special baggage — charged as surf item. | ≤ 23 kg per board; ~230 cm length typical. | Must complete special-baggage form; fee varies by sector. | No props; follows Lion’s policy for short routes. | 1️⃣ Rote Guide: “Batik (Lion Group) charges IDR 200k per board.” 2️⃣ Reddit (Bali): “Batik requires staff size check, same as Lion.”3️⃣. LMBK Surf House: “Length limit ≈ 230 cm, surcharge per board.” |
| Wings Air (IW) | ❌ No — high fee and strict size limit. | Max ~170–200 cm; 23 kg limit. | Longboards often refused; must pre-confirm. | ATR-72:170–200 cm max; IDR 200k–1,000k per board. | 1️⃣ Rote Guide: “ATR cap 200 cm; fee up to IDR 1 million.”2️⃣ LMBK Surf House: “High fees, small aircraft = tight limit.”3️⃣ Surf West Sumbawa: “Fee ≈ IDR 500k–1 million on ATR routes.” |
| Citilink (QG) | ⚠️ Varies — only free during sports-baggage promos. | ~227 cm on A320; 16–20 kg typical. | ‘LinkSport’ promo = 20 kg free; else pay sports tariff. | Prop-partner routes: ~170–190 cm cap, small extra fee. | 1️⃣ Rote Guide: “Citilink allows ≈ 227 cm board.”2️⃣ KuraKura Surf Camp: “A320 = 227 cm; ATR ≈ 170 cm limit.”3️⃣ RealSurfTravel: “Fee ≈ IDR 111k for extra 5 kg.” |
| Indonesia AirAsia (QZ) | ✅ Conditional — free ≤ 15 kg surf bag on some routes. | Up to ~277 cm (≈ 9’1″); 15 kg per bag free limit. | Must pre-book sports item; enforcement varies by route. | All A320/A321 jets — no prop restrictions. | 1️⃣ KuraKura Surf Camp: “Boards ≤ 277 cm accepted on some routes.”2️⃣ LMBK Surf House: “Domestic AirAsia strict on size + weight.”3️⃣ Rote Guide: “Board size ≈ 230 cm / 23 kg; fee differs by route.” |
| Super Air Jet (IU) | ❌ No — special-item fee ≈ IDR 200k per board. | Max ~230 cm; ≤ 23 kg each. | Must declare board at check-in; counted outside allowance. | All A320 jets — no prop limit. | 1️⃣ Rote Guide: “Super Air Jet max 230 cm; IDR 200k fee.”2️⃣ RealSurfTravel: “Board fee ≈ IDR 200k domestic.”3️⃣ Surfing in Indonesia: “Super Air Jet listed under fee-based carriers.” |
| NAM Air (IN) | ❌ No — board charged per item. | ~230 cm × 60 cm typical; ≤ 23 kg. | Cost by item varies by route and station. | Some older ATR fleet <200 cm cap if used. | 1️⃣ RealSurfTravel: “NAM Air extra charge per board ~230 cm.”2️⃣ Surfing in Indonesia:“NAM requires surfboard fee on domestic routes.”3️⃣ Rote Guide: “Same group policy as Sriwijaya; fee per item.” |
Summary insights
- Best options for surfers: Garuda Indonesia (mainline jets) and AirAsia Indonesia (pre-booked sports bag).
- Low-cost carriers: Citilink and Super Air Jet allow surfboards but usually for a fee.
- Always confirm aircraft type: Especially for ATR 72 routes to Sumbawa, Rote, or Sumba (where < 200 cm is common).
- Best for longboards: Garuda Indonesia: The only domestic airline that reliably takes longboards (up to ~9’6”) on its jet fleet without an automatic surcharge.
- Second best: Indonesia AirAsia: Allows longboards up to ~9’1” with advance sports booking.
- Avoid for longboards: Wings Air, NAM Air, or any ATR/turboprop route.
- Pro tip: If flying to remote surf zones (Rote, Sumba, Sumbawa), send your board via cargo or ferry if your domestic connection uses a prop plane.
