The airlines are very difficult to use for taking surfboards on trips. Its expensive and they dammage them. In my case my lonboard was to big to put on a plane anyway. It was also too big for fedex or UPS. Its only 9'2" which isnt that big for a longboard. Uship enabled me to find a carrier who gave me personal service and a great price. The board was delivered in perfect condition with no hassles what so ever.