Diving equipment, airline fees and policies
Exploring the ocean from underneath the waves is a passion for many and also a wonderful excuse to travel, and experience different seas and lakes, you'll also witness the many different types of sea creature in each destination.
Travelling with your gear can be tricky and many choose to hire. However, if you're an enthusiast with all of your own diving equipment, you'll need to know the individual airline requirements to ensure you'll be permitted to fly with all of your items.
To help keep things simple, we've gathered diving equipment baggage regulations from 12 of the major airlines as a guide for you when travelling overseas.
| Airline | Is diving equipment accepted as part of the personal baggage allowance? | What is the size restriction on diving equipment? | What is the weight limit on diving equipment? | Further information |
| Air France |
Compressed air scuba tanks are accepted in the hold, as long as they are empty and do not weigh more than 23 kg / 50 lb. Their transport is not included in your baggage allowance. At the airport, you must pay an extra fee* determined according to your trip.
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158cm/62in | 23kg / 50lb | Diving equipment (including wet suit, vest, mask, shoes, fins, knife, and pressure regulator) is considered a standard checked baggage item and is included at no extra charge in your baggage allowance. Underwater diving flashlights are accepted with prior confirmation from our telephone sales department. Oxygen scuba tanks are not permitted for transport in hand baggage or checked baggage. |
| American Airlines | Scuba equipment is accepted as checked baggage. The first checked piece is $30, the second is $40, and any additional pieces are $150 each. Oversize and overweight fees apply if the bag exceeds 62 linear inches or 50 lbs. | 62 linear inches (158 cm) | 50 lbs (23 kg) | Dive bags that exceed the standard size and weight limits are subject to additional fees. Dive tanks must be empty and the valve must be removed or open. |
| British Airways | BA will accept diving equipment as checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognized bag or case to safeguard against damage. | 90cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) | 23kg | Items can include: scuba regulator, tank harness, tank pressure gauge, face mask, fins, buoyancy control device, snorkel, weight belt, cylinder tank (empty), spear guns and harpoons (unloaded). Diving lamps require prior approval. The bulb or fuse must be removed and packed separately from the power source. |
| Delta Airlines | Delta accepts scuba equipment as part of the standard checked baggage allowance. Fees apply if it exceeds the standard allowance. | 62 linear inches (158 cm) | 50 lbs (23 kg) | Dive bags weighing more than 50 lbs are subject to an overweight fee. Dive tanks must be empty and the valve must be removed or open. |
| EasyJet | You will be charged an additional non-refundable fee for each item carried. Simply select the 'Sports equipment' option when you book your flights online. If your item is not listed, it must be carried as part of your standard hold baggage allowance. | There are no size or dimension restrictions. | Payment of the non-refundable sports equipment fee entitles you to an additional weight allowance of 20kg (small sports equipment) or 32kg (large sports equipment) and increases your checked in hold baggage allowance to a maximum of 40 or 52kg. A single item cannot weigh more than 32kg in total. | Gas or air cylinders will be accepted on board provided all valves are removed and cylinders are empty. |
| Emirates | As per the IATA regulations, SCUBA equipment is subject to normal excess baggage charges if it exceeds the free baggage allowance. | 300cm (118in) | 30kg, Business Class travelers 40kg, and First Class travelers can carry 50kg of checked baggage. | SCUBA equipment normally consists of diving suits, flippers, masks, snorkels, buoyancy control devices, etc. If air bottles are carried, they must be empty. |
| Flybe | An exceptional item charge applies to scuba diving equipment. Items can be carried in addition to your existing hold luggage allowance. | 300cm x 167cm x 206cm | 20kg | Flybe accepts the carriage of scuba diving equipment on a stand-by basis only. The following restrictions apply: one empty scuba diving tank, one air supply regulator and pressure gauge, one air tank harness, one face mask, one pair of diving fins, and a snorkel. |
| KLM | You can bring a set of dive equipment instead of a suitcase or instead of an extra suitcase bought in advance. You do not need to reserve for transportation of a set of dive equipment. | 107 cm / 42 in | Max. 23 kg / 50.5 lbs in Economy Class, Max. 32 kg / 70.5 lbs in Business Class | A set of dive equipment may consist of a wetsuit, vest, socks, mask, shoes, flippers, knife, and regulator. Dive lamps must be transported as hand baggage, with the bulb and batteries removed. Air cylinders (scuba tanks) must be empty, and the valve should be open or removed. You always need to reserve for transportation of air cylinders, which can only be taken at a special fee. |
| Qantas Group | Sporting equipment can be included as part of your checked baggage allowance, subject to the sporting equipment requirements and codeshare exceptions. Each item checked in is one piece. Charges will apply for any baggage carried in addition to the checked baggage allowance. | 277cm (109in) | 32kg | Items can include: face mask, fins (pair), harness, knife, pressure gauge, regulator, safety vest, snorkel, spear gun, tank, weight belt. Knives must be carried in checked baggage. Spear guns must be unloaded with spears packed separately. Flares, incendiary or explosive spearheads will not be accepted at all in checked or cabin baggage. Compressed air/gas tanks will only be accepted if empty and regulator tap is open. |
| Ryanair |
Sporting equipment is inherently unsuitable for carriage by airlines operating fast turnarounds; however, these items may be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance upon payment of a discounted online fee of £50 per item, per one way flight when booked online or £60 if paid at the airport. Any sporting item weighing over the 20 kilos allowance will be charged for the excess at the applicable excess baggage rate per kilo. |
81cm x 119cms | 20kg | |
| United Airlines | United accepts one dive bag containing equipment used in the scuba-diving sport as checked baggage. Scuba 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. | 62 linear inches (158 cm) | 23kg | Dive bags weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) that contain other items in addition to or in place of appropriate dive equipment will be subject to the applicable overweight checked baggage service charge. Dive bags measuring greater than 62 linear inches (158 cm) that contain other items in addition to or in place of dive equipment will be subject to the applicable oversize charge. An empty dive tank or up to three rebreather tanks will not be included in determining the baggage allowance and will be subject to a service charge of $150 (each way) for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A service charge of $200 (each way) applies for all other travel. The empty dive/rebreather tank must have the regulator valve completely disconnected from the tank. The tank must not be sealed (i.e., the tank has an open end). The tank must have an opening to allow for a visual inspection by a TSA Security Screener. |
| Virgin Atlantic | You can bring your own diving equipment in addition to your free baggage allowance, and there's no extra charge as long as the overall weight isn't more than 23kg. If the total weight exceeds 23kg, the following fees apply: £65 for UK Departure $100 for US Departure |
There are no size or dimension restrictions | 23kg | Items can include:
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*Content correct at time of writing and subject to change. Please check diving equipment, airline fees and policies with your airline.
