Special items

US Airways has partnered with Sports Express to offer a convenient way for travelers to transport sports equipment safely from origin to destination city.

The Federal Government, in partnership with all U.S. airlines, is working hard to keep every flight safe and secure. To accomplish this goal, airlines are required to comply with federally-mandated checked baggage regulations, and passengers are responsible for deciding whether the items included in both their accessible property and checked baggage are allowable under the law.

• Learn more about Sports Express
• Learn more about the TSA's prohibited items
• View the FAA's hazardous materials guide

Antlers

Antlers will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $200 per direction. The following conditions of acceptance apply:

• Dimensions (H + W + L) must not exceed 120 in/305 cm
• On the CRJ aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 33 in/84 cm and the overall dimensions cannot exceed 99 in/252 cm
• On the Dash 8 aircraft the largest dimension cannot exceed 50 in/127 cm
• Head/skull must be completely clean and free of residue
• Points must be covered and protected
• 1 rack per ticketed customer
• Can’t combine or cradle 2 or more racks

Archery equipment

Archery equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. Archery equipment must be packed in a case or container of sufficient strength to protect the bows and quiver with arrows from accidental damage. One item of archery equipment consists of:

• 1 bow
• 1 quiver
• 1 maintenance kit

Baseball equipment

Baseball equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of baseball equipment consists of:

• 4 bats
• Helmet
• Uniform
• Cleats
• Batting gloves
• Glove
• Catcher will have additional equipment (padding, mask, etc.)

Bicycles

Bicycles will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $200 per direction, if over 62 in/157 cm in total dimensions (total dimensions are length + width + height). If the bicycle is under 62 in/157 cm in total dimensions, it will count as a first or second checked bag. One item of bicycle equipment is defined as 1 non-motorized touring or racing bicycle with a single seat.

Bicycles should be prepared for transportation by the passenger. Bicycle must be placed in a card board or hard cased bike container. Bicycles not enclosed will still be accepted, however, the handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed, or bicycle handlebars and pedals must be encased in plastic or foam or similar material for transport. A release form will also need to be signed by the passenger.

Boogie boards

Boogie boards will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage.

Bowling equipment

Bowling equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. Bowling bags are acceptable as carry on bags but must fit under the seat in front of you, and contain only 1 bowling ball. Bowling balls may not be stowed in the overhead bins. One unit of bowling equipment consists of:

• 3 bowling balls
• 1 bowling bag
• 1 pair of shoes

Crematory containers

Passengers are allowed to carry a crematory container as part of their carry-on or checked luggage, but the container must pass through the X-ray machines. If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image and prevents the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container cannot be allowed onboard the aircraft. Passengers are encouraged to purchase a temporary container to transport the contents onboard.

• More details available at tsa.gov

Firearms

US Airways will allow passengers to transport firearms in accordance with Federal Law.

• Items of shooting equipment will be accepted as checked baggage only.
• A passenger who presents checked baggage that contains a firearm must declare the weapon and sign a written acknowledgement that the firearm is unloaded.
• Firearms must be packed in a manufacturer’s hard–sided container specifically designed for the firearm, a locked hard–sided gun case, or a locked hard–sided piece of luggage. Handguns may be packed in a locked hard–sided gun case, and then packed inside an unlocked soft–sided piece of luggage. However, a Conditional Acceptance Tag must be used in this case.
• Baggage containing firearms must be locked at all times and the key or lock combination retained by the passenger.
• A Firearm Unloaded Declaration form (available only at the airport) must be signed and placed inside the bag or gun case.
• Checked ammunition may not exceed 11 lbs/5 kg per person. Ammunition clips with ammunition loaded are not accepted. Ammunition must be packed in the original manufacturing package or constructed of wood, fiber, plastic, or metal and provide separation for cartridges. Ammunition may be checked in the same piece of luggage as a firearm. No additional documentation is required.
• There is no limit to the number of items contained in rifle, shotgun or pistol case, up to 50 lbs/23 kg, 62 in/157 cm in maximum.
• A passenger who presents a firearm to be checked to an international destination must be in possession of all required import documentation for their international destination city and any international transit points. It is the responsibility of the passenger to acquire the required documentation from the applicable government entity prior to travel (usually a consulate or embassy). Firearms will not be accepted for transport if international import requirements have not been met.

• TSA firearm and ammunition guidelines

Fishing equipment

Fishing equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of fishing equipment consists of:

• 2 rods
• 1 reel
• 1 landing net
• 1 pair of waders (properly encased)
• 1 tackle box

Golf equipment

Golf equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage – one per person. A pull cart may be included if it is attached to a golf bag. Golf equipment should be enclosed with a cover to prevent loss of contents. Hard sided carriers are recommended. If the golf bag contains anything other than golf equipment and is intended to be used as baggage, then the oversize baggage fee applies.

One item of golf equipment consists of:

• 1 golf bag, containing no more than 14 golf clubs
• 12 golf balls
• 1 pair of golf shoes

Hockey equipment

Hockey equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of hockey equipment consists of:

• Hockey pads
• Helmet
• Hockey pants/jersey
• Gloves
• Skates
• 12 hockey sticks

Kayaks/canoes

Kayaks and canoes will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $200 per direction. They are not included in the baggage allowance. If the kayak or canoe is not packaged in a hard shelled-case specifically designed for shipping, then a limited release must be signed by the customer. Kayaks and canoes are not accepted on US Airways Express flights. One unit of kayak or canoe equipment consists of:

• Dimensions (H + W + L) must not exceed 115 in/292 cm and weight must not exceed 100 lb/45 kg
• 1 kayak or canoe
• Paddles or oars
• Life vest
• Carrying container

Lacrosse equipment

Lacrosse equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of lacrosse equipment consists of:

• 2 lacrosse sticks
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Shoulder pads
• Uniform

Military baggage

Effective June 10, 2011, active U.S. military personnel with ID and dependents traveling with them on orders get the 1st through 4th bags up to 100 lbs/45 kg each free of charge. Active U.S. military personnel on personal travel are exempt from 1st and 2nd checked bag fees (overweight/oversize fees may still apply).

• Read additional information about limitations of baggage liability

Paintball equipment

Paintball guns are prohibited from carry-on luggage. These items should be packed in checked luggage. Paintball guns are not considered a firearm and may be transported in unlocked, soft or hard-sided luggage.

Compressed gas cylinders are not permitted for travel on US Airways. They are considered a hazardous material and US Airways does not ship such materials. Passengers considering air travel with a compressed air or CO2 system should be advised to consider shipping the system to their destination.

Parachuting equipment

Parachute equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of parachuting equipment consists of 1 sporting parachute and any additional items (example: rigging, etc) securely attached.

Sporting parachutes are acceptable as carry-on baggage provided the parachute and its accessories meet carry-on size limitations and does not contain compressed gas cylinders or other such items classified as dangerous goods.

Scuba diving equipment

Effective April 1, 2009, scuba diving equipment (including the scuba tank) will be accepted as checked baggage for $200. If the scuba tank is not included, the remaining items will be accepted as part of the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. Items are subject to overweight and oversize fees if over 50 lbs or 62 inches. One item of scuba diving equipment consists of:

• 1 empty scuba tank or 1 pressure tank
• 1 regulator
• 1 mask
• 2 fins
• 1 snorkel
• 1 knife
• 1 spear gun
• 1 B.C. vest

Ski equipment

Ski equipment may be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. US Airways will accept 2 ski bags, however, 1 item of ski equipment consists of 1 pair of skis or snowboard, 1 pair of ski boots, 1 pair of ski poles and 1 pair of ski bindings.

The passenger must provide acceptable encasement/packaging for the ski equipment, such as fiberglass or cloth bag to protect the ski equipment and to prevent damage to other bags. (US Airways may provide plastic ski bags if available). If the ski equipment is not properly packaged/protected, the customer assumes all risk of damage.

Speakers

Large, commercial-sized or separate self contained speakers are not permitted as checked baggage. They may contain magnets that may cause safety issues. Small speakers attached to another device (MP3 player, stereo or laptop) will be accepted.

Surfboards

Surfboards will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $200 per direction. One item of surfing equipment consists of 1 surfboard.

When packaging a surfboard, keels and/or kedges must be removed or crated in such a manner so as to prevent damage to other baggage.

Surfboards will be accepted on US Airways Express flights. However, their acceptance may be restricted by length on some aircraft. A US Airways Reservation agent can provide additional information.

Tennis

Tennis equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of tennis equipment consists of tennis equipment contained in a case.

Vaulting poles

Vaulting poles will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. One item of vaulting equipment consists of 1 pole and container with a maximum length of 16 ft/4.9 meters.

Vaulting poles cannot be transported on US Airways Express. Vaulting poles should be enclosed in a container of sufficient strength to protect the pole from accidental damage.

Water skiing equipment

Water ski equipment will be accepted in the normal baggage allowance in lieu of a piece of baggage. The passenger must provide acceptable encasement/packaging to provide suitable protection to the water ski equipment and to prevent damage to other bags. One unit of water ski equipment consists of 1 pair of water skis and 1 life preserver.

Wedding dress

Your wedding dress can be stored in the overhead bin provided that it meets our carry-on baggage size requirements. It's recommended that you store the dress in a garment bag and fold it in half to reduce wrinkling. Carry-on items often shift in-flight which could possibly wrinkle, crush, or tear delicate items. Also, we cannot guarantee that items stored in overhead bins will not have other items placed on top of them by other passengers. The maximum garment bag size is 51 in/130 cm.

For wet cell battery powered wheelchairs:

• Passengers must provide US Airways 24 hours notice of intent to transport.
• Passengers must check in at the departure gate at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure time.
• Battery must be disconnected and terminals protected against electrical shorting.
• Battery must be contained in a leak proof box fastened securely to the wheelchair.
• It may be necessary to remove the battery if the wheelchair cannot be loaded, stowed, and unloaded in an upright manner.

• Wheelchair/lithium battery requirements

Windsurfing equipment

Windsurfing equipment will be accepted as checked baggage for a charge of $200 per item. Windsurfing equipment is not accepted on US Airways Express flights. One item of windsurfing equipment consists of:

• 1 windsurfing board with a wooded boom
• 1 mast with a maximum length of 19 ft/5.8 meters and a sail