Hawaiian Airlines Overhauls Surfboard Policy Following Pro Surfer Billy Kemper’s Critique

Hawaiian Airlines has revised its policies regarding the transportation of surfboards, a change spurred by public criticism from renowned big-wave surfer and four-time Jaws winner, Billy Kemper. Kemper’s open displeasure with the airline’s previous policy was expressed through an Instagram post, which quickly garnered attention and led to a flurry of complaints from the Hawaiian surfing community.

In his post, Kemper passionately argued that surfing, being integral to Hawaiian culture, should receive support from Hawaiian Airlines. His statement underscored the cultural and sportive significance of surfing in Hawaii and highlighted the need for the airline to facilitate the transportation of surf equipment.

Responding to this feedback, Hawaiian Airlines has now implemented significant changes to its surfboard carriage policy. The updated policy includes accepting surfboard bags weighing up to 100 pounds, a reduction in the cost of transporting boards between Hawaii and the US mainland by 25% (from $100 to $75), and the elimination of charges for surfboards on flights between Hawaii and New Zealand and Australia. This change aligns with the airline’s two-checked bag allowance, making it more convenient and cost-effective for surfers to travel with their boards.

Expressing his gratitude for the airline’s responsiveness, Kemper thanked Hawaiian Airlines on Instagram for understanding his concerns and taking steps to address them. His advocacy not only highlights his dedication to the sport of surfing but also illustrates the impact that individual voices can have in influencing corporate policies, especially when those policies affect a deeply rooted cultural practice like surfing in Hawaii​.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Hawaiian Airlines