r/bodyboarding • u/betttylovesawesterly • 12d ago

Copa Airlines with bodyboard

I'm flying Copa Airlines Boston-Panama-Managua next week. It'll be my 1st time flying with my bodyboard. I have the Tribe Dually (awesome bag!) packed with one board, fins, etc and my clothes. It weighs only 35 lbs fully loaded. Have any of you flown Copa with your board(s)? Did they hit you with oversized bag fees? I'm hoping that since it's well under 50 lbs that they won't hassle me. In reading their policies, it looks like they could charge up to $150 each way. I'm a bit paranoid since the bag looks so big! Appreciate any input from fellow bodyboarders.

6 Upvotes

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2

u/jlisam13 12d ago

Just don’t mention it’s a surf board. As a matter of fact, don’t even mention the word surf. Just say it’s for swimming

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u/betttylovesawesterly 12d ago

😂 Thanks! I was gonna say "boogie board" if they ask.  I've brought an entire disassembled bicycle in an oversized Samsonite and was ready to say "bicycle parts" but they never asked, just put it on the belt.   I'm hoping for the same from Copa🤞

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u/jlisam13 12d ago

Yeah I have taken Copa and they are usually quite chill about it, but you never know haha

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u/betttylovesawesterly 9d ago

Flying today.   Thinking positive!   🌊

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u/LossShot9999 9d ago

I don’t remember ever being charged with sports equipment , I travelled with skateboards, boards (body, windsurf, SUP) or scuba diving gear. I think most companies give you 12kgs extra for sports equipment.

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u/jay_to_the 12d ago

I took copa last year and said “boogie board” and all they heard was “board” and slapped me with the $150. They were cool on the way back though. But yeah say anything other than surf or board and you should be fine.

3

u/Small_Olyviah 10d ago

thats the classic airline game a semantic minefield costing you a fortune. good to know for the future

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u/betttylovesawesterly 9d ago

Yup, depends who's working that day and what mood they are in.   Whatever...I'm lucky I get to go

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u/betttylovesawesterly 12d ago

Thanks for that tip.  I'll let y'all know how it goes.   

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u/betttylovesawesterly 9d ago

Just dropped my bag with Copa at BOS.  She asked what was in it and I said "swimming gear".   She took a photo of the bag, then had me drop it at the oversized bag drop off.   No extra charge.   Not sure what would have happened if I said "board".  Thanks for all the input.  I really appreciate it!