Airline Firearms Carriage Policies

What You Need to Know About Airlines and Firearms

Every airline has its own policy regarding the carriage of firearms in checked baggage.

• Some require advance notice, including specific information about your firearm. Others simply accept the firearm upon check-in.
• Some airlines include your gun case as part of your baggage allowance; others do not.
• Some allow multiple firearms in a gun case; others do not.
• Some airlines will not transfer firearms to a different airline you are connecting with.
• Some airlines simply do not accept any firearms.

Check the Policy of Each Operating Airline on Your Itinerary

• Airlines sometimes market and book flights that are actually operated by another airline with different policies.
• Connecting airlines may have different policies from the one you originate travel with.
• If your flight is cancelled and your airline rebooks you with a different airline, check the firearm policies before you agree to that booking, especially if it causes you to transit another country.

Understanding Fees for Firearms

• Some airlines charge a special handling fee for firearms. These are in addition to any other baggage fees.
• Gun cases and other sports equipment are also subject to charges for exceeding baggage allowances and being overweight and/or oversized.
• Fees are charged on out-going and returning flights.
• Most airlines require firearm handling fees be paid at the counter; others allow you to pay in advance with your other baggage fees.

Check-in Procedures

• Check-in for those traveling with firearms must be completed in person with an airline agent.
• Plan at least one hour extra for check-in, more for some airlines and destinations.

Packing Firearms and Ammo

• Check the policies on packing firearms and ammunition, especially when connecting with a different airline. They may be different!
• Some airlines prohibit packing clothing, boots or other equipment with your firearm.

Consider Using a Hunting Travel Agent

Due to the differences in airline policies and the entry/transit requirements of different countries when it comes to firearms, you should seriously consider using the services of a travel agent specializing in hunting travel. What they save you in stress and problems during travel is worth the minor fee they charge. Plus, travel agents can easily handle re-bookings due to flight cancellations – saving you a frustrating experience at the airline counter line, or, in the case of international travel, long-distance calls to the booking center in another time zone in the country where you originally booked your flights.

Questions

For more assistance, call 210-767-9745 or send an email to [email protected].