Fishing equipment on the plane with Lufthansa: How to travel stress-free to your fishing holiday in Finland

Fishing Equipment on a Plane to Finland: What’s Included?

If you're planning a fishing holiday in Finland and want to bring your own gear, Lufthansa has the following guidelines:

Lufthansa allows fishing equipment as part of your luggage, which includes:

• One item containing fishing rods (e.g. in a rod tube or case)
• One additional item with accessories (e.g. reels, lures, landing net)

Lufthansa permits two pieces of fishing equipment per passenger, provided the total dimensions do not exceed 200 cm (length + width + height).
We recommend packing all parts securely – especially delicate reels and electronic devices.

Registering Fishing Gear as Sports Equipment with Lufthansa

Fishing gear is classified as sports equipment and must be registered separately with Lufthansa.
Registration should be completed at least 24 hours before departure.

Cost depending on flight route:

Important: Lufthansa offers free transport of ski equipment, but:
Even if fishing gear is similar in size, it is not classified as winter sports equipment and will not be transported free of charge.

How to register:

• Online via the Lufthansa website (“My Bookings”)
• By phone through the Lufthansa Service Center

What Is Allowed in Hand Luggage – and What Is Not?

Especially on flights to Finland, hand luggage space can be tight. Here’s what parts of your fishing gear are permitted in your carry-on:

Lufthansa hand luggage dimensions:

• Large cabin bag: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
• Small personal item (e.g. laptop bag): 40 × 30 × 10 cm

Tip: Telescopic rods can often fit well in carry-on, but make sure to use a padded case to avoid issues at security checks.

How to Pack Fishing Equipment for Your Flight to Finland

To make sure your gear arrives safely in Finland, follow these tips:

• Use collapsible or telescopic rods, and pack them in rod tubes. (No need for an expensive case – we show a budget-friendly DIY version in our blog post: Travel to Finland – Tips & Travel Options)
• Transport reels, electronics, and accessories in padded bags or wrap them securely in clothing.
• Hooks, knives, tools, and sharp lures belong in checked baggage – never in hand luggage.
• Label your sports baggage clearly with your name, phone number, and email address.

Can You Take Your Catch Home?

If you've had a successful trip and want to take your fish home with you on a Lufthansa flight, be aware of the following:

• Fish may only be transported in checked baggage.
• It must be vacuum-sealed and properly cooled – for example, in an insulated box with cold packs.
• Check the import regulations of your home country – for example, Germany allows only certain quantities of fish to be brought in. (Check your local customs authority’s website, e.g. Germany: Zoll online – Import of Fish and Fishery Products)

Accuracy Notice

For this article, we contacted the press offices of Lufthansa, Finnair, and Austrian Airlines directly to obtain official regulations regarding fishing gear.
We also researched publicly available information from the airlines’ official websites.

Despite our best efforts, rules may change at short notice. We do not take responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information provided.

In case of doubt or specific questions, we strongly recommend contacting your airline’s customer service directly.
The information above is based on official statements from the airlines as of July 2025.

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