Whether it’s hauling lots of technical gear, booking a complicated itinerary to a far-flung destination, or deciding to travel at the last minute because the swell or snowfall just happens to be epic—adventure travelers are always willing to go the extra mile (or much more) for that unforgettable trip.
But traveling with adventure in mind means that you most likely have a different set of priorities when deciding which airline to book with. Whether you’re a surfer, mountain biker, or scuba diver, you may find yourself navigating complicated baggage policies, struggling to to stay within your chosen frequent flier program for a multi-leg trip, or searching for an airline that flies to that niche destination on your bucket list.
As Eric Larsen, a polar adventurer based in Crested Butte, Colorado, put it: “I’ve had so many crazy experiences with baggage—baggage check is one of the most stressful aspects of travel for me … especially when I’m flying solo and I have five or six bags in the airport. Usually, I’m working so hard, I’m sweating.”
So how does Larsen manage to keep his cool when he’s lugging polar sleds through the airport on his way to an Arctic expedition?
“I try to stick with one airline [alliance] or group so that I accumulate points and status, which not only makes checking in with a lot of bags easier, but it means that my bags are also offloaded first. With ‘status’ you also get extra bags and even extra heavy bags.”
As Larsen suggests, what travelers bound for adventure tourism destinations really need is customization and flexibility, whether it be in their airline’s baggage policies and route map, or their travel insurance provider’s a la carte policy benefits.
As the leading provider of insurance for travelers going to adventure destinations, battleface ranked the top 25 most adventure friendly airlines to help travelers find the carriers that best suit their needs, looking at adventure destinations served (those best known for adventure sports and activities), baggage policies, alliance membership, and more.
Here’s a peek at the 25 adventure travel airlines that made the list. Read on for a deeper look at why the top 10 airlines on the list came out on top.
1 Etihad Airways
Etihad flies to nearly all the top destinations in the world for adventure sports including ski/snowboarding, mountaineering, scuba diving, kitesurfing, sailing, kayaking, surfing, sailing, and mountain biking. It also has one of the most generous baggage policies, with two free checked bags and allows for a range of sports equipment—including bikes, kayaks, skis, and snowboards—in its standard baggage allowance, making it the best airline for bikes, among other activities.
2 Qatar Airways
Qatar services the top destinations for all nine sports and activities included in the survey, including golf, the one which Etihad lacks. It also allows for a generous baggage allowance of two checked bags per passenger on an economy ticket. As part of the OneWorld Alliance, it’s an attractive option for frequent fliers within that network.
3 Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines also generously allows a range of sports equipment—bikes, kayaks, skis/snowboards, scuba gear etc—to be included as part of its standard free baggage policy. Plus, it flies to all but one of the top destinations for the nine sports on the list.
4 Singapore Airlines
Part of the Star Alliance network, Singapore Airlines has a generous weight-based baggage policy—versus one defined by individual items—which means you can apply any sports or adventure equipment you’re checking in towards your overall baggage weight allowance.
5 Qantas
One of the airlines in the top ten that are part of the OneWorld alliance, Qantas allows for two free checked bags on an economy ticket, and serves eight of the nine destinations for the chosen sports and activities. It’s another airline on the list that allows you to check a bike as part of your free baggage allowance, too.
6 LOT Polish Airlines
Like Etihad, LOT Polish Airlines is another carrier that includes equipment like bikes, kayaks, scuba gear and skis/snowboards in its free checked baggage allowance, making it an attractive option for adventure travelers who are hauling gear. It’s also part of the expansive Star Alliance network.
7 Lufthansa
Lufthansa is another airline on the list that services the top destinations for all nine included sports and activities. It ranks number two on the list for airlines that are friendly to golfers, and is also part of the Star Alliance network.
8 All Nippon Airways
ANA – All Nippon Airways – is the largest airline in Japan and scored well for both Winter Sports and Cycling, alongside having a generous baggage allowance for adventure sports enthusiasts. ANA is a member of the Star Alliance network and is renowned for attentive service.
9 Air France
The flag carrier of France, Air France is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, and has codeshares with a number of other airlines, making destinations around the world easier for travelers to fly to. It has attractive baggage allowances for those heading to the slopes – with skis being free as part of your baggage allowance.
10 Delta Air Lines
Also referred to as Delta, Delta Air Lines is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is one the world’s oldest airlines in operation. Delta scores highly for both golf and cycling, is a member of Skyteam Alliance, and has codeshare agreements with a number of quality airlines, including LATAM, Aeroméxico, Garuda Indonesia and Aerolíneas Argentinas, allowing for easier connections for more far-flung adventure friendly destinations.
Read more below on the specific approach and methodology.
The world’s most adventure friendly airlines study was created with a rigorous methodology.
Then airline data pulled included the following:
Any Medical Condition that, within the last 12 months, required any:
Hypertension or high cholesterol controlled by 1 prescription drug only and where the dosage has not been changed within the last 12 months will not be considered a pre-existing medical condition
Travel Protection Benefits | Limits |
---|---|
Trip Cancellation | 100% of trip cost (up to a maximum of $20,000) |
Single Occupancy | Up to trip cost |
Cancel for Any Reason | Up to 75% of trip cost Up to 50% of trip costs in FL(CFAR not available to NY residents) |
Trip Interruption | 150% of trip cost |
Delay Package | |
Trip Delay | Maximum $200 per day up to $2,500 |
Missed Connection | Maximum of $1,000 per covered trip |
Baggage Package – Excess | |
Baggage and Personal Effects | $2,500 $100 Deductible |
Baggage Delay | $100 per day up to a maximum of $500 |
Travel Medical Package – Excess AK, CO, ID, ND, NH – Primary | |
Travel Medical Expense – Adventure sports included | $100,000 $50,000 in NH $50 Deductible |
Emergency Dental | $750 |
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains | Up to $500,000
Up to $1,000,000 in NH |
Accidental Death & Dismemberment | $100,000 or $250,000 or $500,000 |
Pet Medical Package | |
Pet Medical Expense | Up to $2,000 $100 Deductible |
Pet Return | Up to $500 |
Rental Vehicle Damage – Primary | Up to $35,000 per rented vehicle- Primary $250 Deductible for loss greater than $2,000 |
Vacation Rental Damage | $1,500 or $3,000 or $5,000 |
Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.
Benefits | Limits |
---|---|
Cancellation and Curtailment | 5,000 |
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains | 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50) |
Hospital Benefit | 25 per day, maximum 100 |
Personal Accident | up to 250,000 |
Baggage Loss or Delay | up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50) |
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash | 500 (excess 250 or 50) |
Personal Liability | 500,000 |
Travel Delay | 500 |
Optional Benefits | Limits |
Business Extension | up to 1,000 (excess 100) |
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) | up to 750 (excess 50 or 100) |
Important notes:
|
Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.
Benefits | Limits |
---|---|
Trip Interruption | 2,000 |
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains | 10,000,000 (excess 250) |
Hospital Benefit | 25 per day, maximum 100 |
Personal Accident | up to 5,000 |
Baggage Loss or Delay | up to 2,000 (excess 250 or 50) |
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash | 500 (excess 250) *** Limited to 250 in respect of cash |
Personal Liability | 500,000 |
Optional Benefits | Limits |
Business Extension | up to 1,000 (excess 100) |
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) | up to 750 (excess 50 or 100) |
Personal Accident | up to 250,000 |
Baggage | up to 10,000 |
Important notes:
|
Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.
Benefits | Limits |
---|---|
Cancellation | up to $20,000 |
Trip Interruption | $1,000 |
Medical and Emergency Expenses | $5,000,000 (deductible $250) |
Hospital Benefit | $25 per day, maximum $100 |
Personal Accident | up to $50,000 |
Baggage | $2,000 (deductible $250) |
Personal Money and Passport, limited to $250 in respect of cash | $500 (deductible $250) |
Personal Liability | $500,000 |
Optional Benefits | Limits |
Business Extension | up to $1,000 (deductible $100) |
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) | up to $750 (deductible $50 or $100) |
Important notes:
|
Some benefits are subject to an excess (aka, the deductible, or what you have to pay before we pay), as stated in the Policy Schedule, and are per Policy Period.
Benefits | Limits |
---|---|
Cancellation and Curtailment | 5,000 |
Emergency Medical Expenses, Evacuation and Repatriation of Mortal Remains | 10,000,000 (excess 250 or 50) |
Hospital Benefit | 25 per day, maximum 100 |
Personal Accident | up to 250,000 |
Baggage Loss or Delay | up to 5,000 (excess 250 or 50) |
Personal Money and Passport, limited to 250 in respect of cash | 500 (excess 250 or 50) |
Personal Liability | 500,000 |
Travel Delay | 500 |
Optional Benefits | Limits |
Business Extension | up to 1,000 (excess 100) |
Winter Sports (Ski Equipment) | up to 750 (excess 50 or 100) |
Important notes:
|