Fishing Equipment on a Plane with Finnair: How to Travel Stress-Free on Your Fishing Holiday to Finland
If you're planning a fishing holiday in Finland, chances are you'll be flying with Finnair – the national airline of Finland. But what should you keep in mind when bringing your fishing gear on the plane? How can you safely pack your rod and landing net for the journey? In this article, we explain everything you need to know about flying with Finnair when heading to Finland for a fishing trip.
By Lars Hahne
July 30, 2025
Fishing Equipment with Finnair: What’s Allowed?
If you’re traveling with Finnair for your fishing adventure in Finland, your fishing equipment is considered regular checked baggage—not special or sports baggage. That means rods, reels, and accessories can be transported under the standard baggage allowance. There are no special rates or exemptions for anglers.
For more details, visit Finnair directly:
Finnair – Special Baggage
Can Fishing Gear Be Carried in Hand Luggage?
Finnair generally allows anything in hand luggage as long as it doesn’t include dangerous or sharp items. The key requirement is that your equipment must fit within the standard hand luggage dimensions and must not pose any safety concerns.
Item | Allowed in Hand Luggage? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Fishing line | Yes | No issue if packed loosely |
Lures with hooks | No | Must be in checked baggage – considered dangerous |
Lures without hooks | Yes | Allowed if no sharp or pointed parts are attached |
Hooks, knives | No | Must be in checked baggage – considered dangerous |
Telescopic/Mini rods | Possible | Only if they fit within the hand luggage dimensions |
Finnair Hand Luggage Dimensions (Economy):
- Cabin bag: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
- Small personal item (e.g. laptop): 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Total weight: max. 8 kg
More about restricted items:
Finnair – Special Baggage & Fishing Equipment
How to Pack Fishing Gear in Checked Luggage
Since fishing equipment is treated as regular baggage by Finnair, you can check it in using a suitcase or sturdy transport bag. Make sure to:
- Pack rods in a protective rod tube or hard case
- Cushion reels, electronics, and accessories well inside your luggage
- Always place sharp objects (e.g., hooks, knives, pliers) in your checked baggage
- Coolers for caught fish must be properly insulated and packed according to regulations
Standard baggage rules apply based on your fare (e.g. one checked bag up to 23 kg in Economy Classic).
Connecting Flights and Baggage Transfer in Finland
Finnair offers many domestic connections to top fishing regions such as:
- Ivalo (Lapland)
- Kuusamo (Northeast Finland)
- Kajaani (Kainuu)
- Joensuu (North Karelia)
Your baggage is automatically transferred to your connecting flight—no need to re-check it if your entire journey is booked through Finnair.
What if Your Baggage Is Damaged or Lost?
If your baggage arrives late or damaged, you’ll receive a QR code at the airport to submit a damage report online. Finnair provides a straightforward claims process, but it’s recommended to report any issues as soon as you arrive.
Group Travel with Finnair
Finnair does not offer special services or discounts for groups of anglers carrying large quantities of equipment or special baggage. Regular fares and baggage rules apply, even for group bookings.
More Information and Questions
Official guidelines can be found here:
Finnair – Special Baggage & Fishing Equipment
If you have specific questions about your gear, baggage dimensions, or safety regulations, please contact Finnair directly:
Customer care and contact information Finnair
Accuracy Notice
For this article, we contacted the press offices of Lufthansa, Finnair, and Austrian Airlines to obtain official information on fishing gear regulations. We also reviewed publicly available content from each airline’s website.
Despite our best efforts to provide accurate information, airline policies may change at short notice. We cannot guarantee the correctness or completeness of the content. When in doubt, we recommend contacting your airline’s customer service directly.
The following information is based on official airline statements, as of July 2025.
Flying with a Different Airline?
Lufthansa