The surf is up, the time is right and to celebrate California recently naming surfing as the state's official sport, the US mega-carrier United Airlines, is getting funky with finances and removing the service fees for surfboards for customers travelling to or from California.
Surf's Up! Surfboard Fees Wiped Out in California on United Airlines
From 5th October, customers travelling with a surfboard or paddleboard on direct United Airlines or United Express itineraries that originate or end at any California airport will not have to pay the previous $150 or $200 service fee to check these items. This is a major step forward for surfing passengers who will still have to pay the normal regular checked-bag fees, but will save hundreds on transporting their beloved board!
Also, to help preserve California's coast and oceans, the airline donating $50,000 to Sustainable Surf, a California-based environmental nonprofit that operates as an innovation lab using surfing as a force for good—to solve the ocean health crisis by 2050.
"California made it official: surfing is our state sport. We want to make it easier for customers to surf our beautiful beaches, whether they're visiting or call the Golden State home," said Janet Lamkin, United's president for California. "This partnership continues our commitment to the environment by supporting an organization like Sustainable Surf, which helps keep our beaches beautiful."
"Sustainable Surf is thrilled to receive support from United Airlines to help us protect and regenerate ocean health," said Sustainable Surf co-founder Michael Stewart. "We see a very close alignment between our own work and United's Eco-Skies sustainability program. We are looking forward to partnering with United to better enable our shared goals and values of keeping the world clean."
Through United's donation, Sustainable Surf will continue to focus on a variety of programs that address environmental impacts on the ocean by educating local and global communities.
United has operated in California for more than 90 years and connects almost 18 million annual passengers through its hubs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. United brings the world to California and Californians to the world, flying to more California, U.S. and international destinations than any other airline.
