Can You Bring a Bow and Arrow on a Plane?

The Quick Answer

Bows and arrows are allowed on planes but only in checked bags. TSA explicitly prohibits them from carry-on luggage. This applies to all types of bows — compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows. Arrows are also checked-only. No exceptions.

This is one of the clearest TSA rules out there. Bows are considered sporting equipment that could be used as a weapon, so they get the same treatment as baseball bats, golf clubs, and hockey sticks — checked luggage only.

TSA Rules for Archery Equipment

What Goes in Checked Bags Only

• Compound bows — checked only
• Recurve bows — checked only
• Longbows — checked only
• Crossbows — checked only
• Arrows — checked only, regardless of whether they have tips
• Broadheads and field points — checked only (sharp objects)
• Bow cases — can go either way, but empty bow cases in carry-on will likely get a second look

What Can Go in Carry-On

• Bow sights — small accessories are fine in carry-on
• Arrow rests — small parts, no issue
• Release aids — allowed in carry-on
• String wax and tools — wax is a solid, fine for carry-on. Allen wrenches and small tools under 7 inches are allowed.
• Arm guards and finger tabs — no restrictions
• Bow strings (spare) — allowed in carry-on

Keep your valuable small accessories in your carry-on. If your checked bag gets lost or delayed, you can still shoot with a borrowed bow if you have your own sight, release, and accessories.

Packing Your Bow for Air Travel

How you pack your bow determines whether it arrives in shootable condition or with a bent cam and cracked limbs.

Use a Hard Case

This is non-negotiable. A hard-shell bow case is the minimum for air travel. Options:

• SKB iSeries bow cases — airline-rated, waterproof, and built for travel. The gold standard for flying archers.
• Plano All Weather bow cases — solid budget option with good protection
• Pelican cases — the universal hard case option. A Pelican 1750 fits most compound bows.
• Airline-specific bow cases — some companies make cases designed to exactly fit airline dimensional limits

Soft bow cases are fine for driving to the range. They're not enough protection for baggage handlers and conveyor belts.

How to Pack

• Keep the bow strung or unstrung? — for compound bows, leave them strung. The limbs are designed to hold tension. Recurves and longbows should be unstrung to prevent warping from pressure changes and temperature fluctuations in the cargo hold.
• Arrows — pack them in a separate arrow tube or in the arrow holder built into your bow case. Points should be covered. Consider broadhead covers or remove broadheads entirely and pack them separately.
• Pad the case — use foam blocks or rolled clothing to fill gaps and prevent the bow from shifting. Movement inside the case is what causes damage.
• Protect the sight — if you leave your sight mounted, pad around it heavily. Better yet, remove it and carry it on.
• Lock the case — use TSA-approved locks. TSA may need to inspect your case, and non-TSA locks will be cut off.

What About the Quiver?

Quivers go in checked luggage. If you have a hip quiver or back quiver, it fits in your bow case or a separate checked bag. Don't try to carry an empty quiver through security — it'll raise questions you don't want to answer.

Airline Policies and Fees

Airlines handle archery equipment differently. Most treat it as sporting equipment, which comes with fees and size restrictions.

Major US Airlines

• American Airlines — archery equipment accepted as checked baggage. Standard checked bag fee applies ($35 first bag, $45 second). Must be in a hard case. Maximum 115 linear inches and 50 lbs.
• Delta — bows accepted in checked luggage at standard bag fees. Hard case required. Standard size and weight limits apply.
• United — archery equipment accepted. Standard checked bag fees. Must be properly cased.
• Southwest — accepts archery equipment as checked baggage. Two free checked bags (Southwest's standard policy). Hard case required.
• Alaska Airlines — archery equipment accepted at standard bag fees.

Southwest is the clear winner here — two free checked bags means your bow case and a regular suitcase fly for free.

Budget Airlines

Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant charge for all checked bags and may have stricter size limits. A bow case often qualifies as oversized on these carriers, adding $75-$150+ in fees. Check each airline's sporting equipment policy before booking.

Oversize Fees

Bow cases often exceed the standard 62 linear inches checked bag limit. Most compound bow cases are 38-42 inches long, which is fine on length alone, but total linear inches (length + width + height) can push past 62. Oversize fees are typically $100-$200 each way on major airlines. Measure your case before you fly.

International Travel With a Bow

Flying domestically with a bow is straightforward. International travel adds customs and import considerations:

• Declare your bow at customs — most countries require you to declare sporting equipment. Some may charge a temporary import duty (refundable when you leave).
• Check destination laws — some countries restrict bow ownership or require permits. The UK, for example, has no licensing requirement for bows, but some countries do.
• Australia and New Zealand — you can bring a bow but must declare it. Wooden components may need biosecurity inspection.
• Register with US Customs before leaving — CBP Form 4457 proves you owned the bow before your trip, preventing duty charges when you return.

Competition Travel Tips

If you're flying to an archery competition, a few extra precautions:

• Fly a day early — if your equipment is delayed, you have a buffer
• Carry spare strings and small parts on your person — you can borrow a bow but not your custom accessories
• Photograph your bow before packing — document sight settings, stabilizer positions, and overall setup. If something shifts in transit, you have reference photos.
• Keep your bow in the case at check-in — some airlines want to verify the contents match your declaration
• Arrive early — checking sporting equipment takes longer than a regular bag. Budget an extra 15-20 minutes.

Shipping vs. Flying With Your Bow

For some archers, shipping the bow ahead makes more sense than checking it as luggage.

When to Ship

• You're flying a budget airline with expensive oversize fees
• You have multiple connections and worry about lost luggage
• Your case exceeds airline size limits
• You want insurance coverage beyond airline liability

How to Ship

UPS and FedEx both handle bow cases well. Pack the bow in its hard case, then place that case inside a cardboard box with additional padding. Declare the value for insurance purposes. Ship 5-7 days before your trip to allow for any delays. Ground shipping a bow case typically costs $30-$60 domestically, which is often less than oversize baggage fees.

Ship to your hotel or competition venue. Call ahead to confirm they'll accept and hold packages for you.

Crossbow-Specific Considerations

Crossbows follow the same TSA rules as traditional bows — checked luggage only, hard case required. But they have a few unique wrinkles:

• They look more alarming on X-ray — the trigger mechanism resembles a firearm component. Don't be surprised if your case gets extra attention during screening.
• Bolts (crossbow arrows) — checked only, same as arrows. Pack with points covered.
• Cocking mechanisms — rope cockers and crank devices are fine in checked luggage
• Scope batteries — if your crossbow scope uses batteries, standard lithium battery rules apply. Batteries under 100 Wh are fine in checked bags when installed in the device.

Some states have specific laws about crossbow transportation and possession. Check destination state laws before traveling, especially if crossing state lines for a hunt.