Before traveling with your eFoil, it’s important to take precautionary steps to avoid damage to your gear, issues with checking your bag, and regulatory problems. You can save yourself a headache and expense if you research the best way to travel with your eFoil and what the requirements are. Understanding how to pack your eFoil board and mast and how to travel with lithium-ion batteries can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We can get you started with these tips to ensure you pack your gear safely and that it’s ready to use upon arrival!
Can I fly with an eFoil?
Yes, you can fly with your eFoil board, wings, and eFoil system (mast), but things get a bit tricky when it comes to the battery (Flitecell). There are important restrictions and considerations you need to be aware of before embarking on an eFoil travel adventure. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring new, exotic locations or just taking your board on vacation, this guide will cover everything you need to know to make it happen smoothly. From travel tips to battery options, we’ll help you navigate the logistics so you can focus on the fun.
If you have invested in a premium eFoil like Fliteboard, your eFoil (except the Flite AIR series) comes with a complete set of travel cases. The Flite AIR and AIR PRO comes with just an eFoil system bag since the inflatable board is less likely to get damaged and helps keep the price down. If you have a Flite AIR or AIR PRO, we recommend purchasing a Fliteboard bag for additional protection. If you have a different brand of eFoil and don’t have an eFoil bag, this blog will present some options for you too.
Do I Fly with My eFoil?
Airline Restrictions
Packing and Protecting Your eFoil Gear
What Board Bag Should I Use?
Can I Fly with an eFoil Battery?
Smart eFoil Battery Travel Tips
Other Considerations for Traveling with Your eFoil Gear
Do I need eFoil travel Insurance?
Local Knowledge: Understanding restrictions and hazards in the area you plan to eFoil.
How do I fly with my eFoil?
Research Your Airline
Make sure you understand the dos and don’ts for your airline, so you have a smooth and easy check-in!
Airline Restrictions
What are Weight and size restrictions flying with an eFoil? Each airline has its own weight and size restrictions for luggage. Check your specific airline to see what they allow before having to pay extra fees for oversized or overweight.
Does an eFoil board bag count as a checked bag? Check your airline’s website for what counts as a standard checked bag vs what counts as sporting equipment or oversized luggage (regardless of weight). Some airlines allow board bags to be considered standard checked luggage (Yes! No extra fees) as long as they are not overweight and fit certain dimensions. However, some airlines are sticklers and require board bags to be checked as sporting equipment regardless of weight, and require an extra fee. Know before you go so you aren’t stuck at the check-in counter disputing whether you have to pay an extra fee.
Battery restrictions: It’s important for safety reasons to understand how you can travel with your eFoil battery. Both airlines and federal governments have restrictions regarding this. This is covered in the next sections.
Packing and Protecting Your eFoil Gear
Pack for success! It’s important to pack your gear the correct way to prevent damage. The last thing you want to do is show up to your destination with broken and damaged gear!
Disassemble Your eFoil
To minimize damage, disassemble your eFoil before packing.
Remove your wings and stabilizer tail.
Detach the eFoil system from the board.
Disconnect the battery and pack it separately (more on this below).
Pack small parts such as screws and connectors in a dedicated pouch or bag to keep the parts organized and prevent them from getting lost.
Consider bringing extra screws in case you misplace or damage one during your travels.
What eFoil Board Bag Should I Use?
You can either use the original packaging or buy a board bag. Depending on your brand of eFoil, there are a lot of different board bags to choose from. Invest in one that will add extra protection to your efoil board. We recommend investing in a Fliteboard bag to store your eFoil for day use and travel. Buy a Fliteboard bag here. Remember, all Fliteboards except the AIR ship with eFoil system and board bag. If you have a Flite AIR or AIR PRO, contact us and we will advise which bag to purchase.
Pack Smart – eFoil packing tips
These quick and easy tips can be very helpful in ensuring your gear arrives at your destination undamaged. When it comes to your efoil, it’s better to take extra steps to make sure nothing goes wrong. Protect your investment!
Choose the right board bag size: You want the correct size bag that isn’t too large. Wedge the pieces securely to prevent movement inside the bag.
Prevent Scratches: Wrap the board and efoil system in bubble wrap or foam padding to avoid scratches or other damage during the loading and unloading of luggage by the airline or carrier.
Gap Filling: Use towels or clothing to fill empty spaces in the travel bag for extra cushioning and to prevent shifting during transit.
Balanced Packing: Distribute the weight evenly throughout the bag to prevent stress on any one area, which could lead to damage during transport.
Label Your Bag: Clearly label your travel bag with “Fragile” and “This Side Up” to alert baggage handlers and encourage careful treatment of your gear.
Weigh Your Bag: Along with oversize baggage fees, airlines also have overweight baggage fees. Research your airline and see what size and weight restrictions they impose. Save yourself the extra fees by weighing your bag before you go to make sure you are under the weight limit. A weight scale at home will do the trick.
Can I fly with an eFoil battery?
Most airlines do not allow Lithium-ion batteries of more than 160Wh on passenger flights. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel with you’re the rest of your eFoil gear and make separate arrangements for your battery. There are a few options to consider when bringing your eFoil on your travels.
Battery Restrictions
Flying on a passenger flight with an eFoil battery is currently prohibited.
Maximum Allowed Capacity: The maximum battery capacity allowed on a airplane is typically 160Wh and only with airline approval as a carry-on. Currently, eFoils use more than the maximum 160Wh (for example: Flite’s smallest Flitecell, the Nano, is 806 Wh).
Prohibited on Commercial Aircraft: Lithium-ion batteries more than 160Wh and cannot be checked, carried on, or shipped via commercial aircraft. These batteries must be shipped as hazardous goods on freight aircraft only.
Even though you can’t bring the efoil battery on the plane, you can still have it shipped to your destination, waiting for your arrival!
Dangerous Goods Classification: The battery must be shipped separately from your flight as a dangerous good.
Label the package as hazardous goods.
Include the battery data sheet and CE certification with the shipment.
Compliance: Use a certified case such as the Zarges case, which complies with IMDG, IATA, FAA, and 49CFR requirements for safe lithium battery transport.
Zarges cases provide fire resistance and protection against dust, moisture, extreme temperatures, corrosion, and cracks.
These cases carry UN HazMat Certification.
Having a case like this can be useful even for ground transportation and general storage of your battery when not in use.
Plan Ahead: Shipping items separately often takes longer, so ship your battery two to three weeks before your flight. Shipping times can vary depending on the destination (especially for international shipments).
Always confirm details with the shipping company to ensure everything is in order for proper shipment.
How Do I Ship My eFoil Battery? Look into specialized cargo services for shipping eFoil batteries.
Ship your eFoil battery on a cargo plane.
Use ground transportation through a standard carrier.
No matter which method you use, contact your carrier directly to see what they require.
Other Battery Travel Options
Battery Rental: To avoid shipping complications, consider renting an eFoil battery at your destination. As more and more people want to travel with their eFoil, battery rental is becoming the popular choice.
Look around to see if there are any eFoil shops or schools in the area who you can rent a battery from.
Contact a local eFoil dealer or school in your planned destination to see if they offer battery rental services.
Other Things to Consider When Flying or Traveling with Your eFoil Gear
There are a few other things to consider when traveling with your eFoil. Ensure you also investigate these so that you have a frustration-free experience after arriving at your destination!
Do I need Insurance to fly or travel with my eFoil?
We can plan as much as we want, but we can never plan for an unexpected issue. Make sure you are covered!
Damage to Your eFoil Board: Your board could be damaged during loading and unloading of bags. Even if you have your bag labeled as “Fragile” you cannot guarantee the crew won’t unintentionally damage your board. They are loading and unloading hundreds of bags a day.
Your eFoil Board is Lost or Stolen: We all have a fear of arriving to our destination and our bags are nowhere to be found! While it doesn’t happen regularly, your luggage can get lost. If it does happen, hopefully it is found, but there is the scenario where it is lost for good or stolen.
You Damage Your eFoil Board: We always take precautions with our gear, but accidents happen. A mishap while riding your eFoil in an unfamiliar or new location could damage your board or eFoil system. Or you are tired from traveling, and something gets overlooked – gear-wise or location-wise.
Ground Transportation
Don’t show up to pick up your rental car and realize that you can’t fit all your gear!
Rent a SUV, Truck, or Van: Get a vehicle that can fit your bags (and you!). The easiest way is to get a large vehicle to fit your bags, and you and any passengers. Keeping your board in the board bag makes it easier to transport the board and also prevents any scratches or dents. Leave yourself some wiggle room for messy packing (you don’t want to have to play Tetris every time you go somewhere) or in case you make any purchases to take home with you. The only downside is these to tend to cost a little more than a car.
Rent a Car: This is the more affordable option. And easily viable if it is just you. However, you may find yourself having to play Tetris constantly if you have passengers or other luggage. You can sometimes fit more in a car if you unpack some of the items from the board bag and fit them in nook and cranny openings in the car.
Local Knowledge
Research the area where you would like to efoil.
Local Restrictions: Check to see if the local beaches or parks have any restrictions. Riding may be prohibited, closed during certain hours, or require the wearing of certain safety accessories while on the water.
Hazards: Know if there are any hazards to watch out for. Know where it gets shallow, if there are any rocks or other things to watch out for, and if there is wildlife to be respectful of or aware of.
If you have any questions about traveling with your eFoil or need to rent a Flitecell battery, call or text 850-400-8500 or email us at info@emeraldwake.com for a custom
