Packing Conditions

All baggage should be packed to withstand normal baggage handling. When you're on the move, some things need the extra protection. Each passenger is responsible for packing their baggage in such a way that the contents cannot be damaged.

We recommend taking out additional baggage insurance before checking baggage into the flight, especially when travelling with odd-size baggage and special equipment. Our liability is limited to how your baggage was packed and in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

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All our guests should follow these steps before checking their baggage with us:  

• Label your bags with your name, phone number, home address and email on the inside and out.  

• Pack carefully so things inside your baggage don't move around or fall out.  

• Purchase travel insurance for valuable or fragile items.

• Leave out any restricted items and dangerous goods. If bags contain restricted items or dangerous goods, the bag will not be allowed on board the aircraft. Any delays of arrival of the bag caused by this, will not be covered by us.

Travelling to and from the United States

• If you want to lock your bag while travelling to or from the U.S., make sure you use a TSA-approved lock.  

• If you choose to use a different lock, please note that we do not cover damages to your bag if it is forced open during a random security check by TSA or delayed because TSA was not able to unlock it. 

Our liability is limited

• It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that all checked baggage is properly packed and protected to avoid any damage during transportation.

• Items taken into the cabin are the sole responsibility of the owner.

• We trust that you understand that a bag is designed to protect its contents. During normal handling, your bag may show evidence of wear and tear.  

• Our liability, as with all other airlines, is limited in accordance with the Montreal Convention when it comes to baggage. Avoid any unnecessary surprises and make sure your belongings are packed in line with the conditions below.

Checked baggage should not contain the following items:

• Fragile and valuable items.

• Deeds, keys, medicine. 

• Money, jewellery, precious metals, and stones.

• Computers, personal electronic devices, photo equipment.  

• Any item of a fragile or brittle nature (e.g. glassware, optical). 

• Negotiable papers, securities, or other valuables. 

• Business documents, passports, and other identification documents or samples.

• Food or any other perishable item.

• Any vessel or bottle containing fluid that could cause damage to other items due to leakage or breakage.

• Wet clothing or other wet items that may cause damage to other contents in your baggage. 

• Any item that is strapped to the outside of a bag and is subsequently lost or damaged.

Purpose of your trip and packing essential items in cabin bag:

We have prepared guidelines for our guests to follow in preparation for their flight. 

We recommend valuable items that are of essential use during the trip be packed in carry-on baggage. For example, items needed for:

• Hiking, exploring nature, or camping trip:
  - Overcoat, boots (footwear), warm underwear, warm hat and gloves

• Skiing or winter sports vacation:
  - Overcoat, boots (footwear), warm underwear, warm hat and gloves

• Summer vacation:
  - Sandals, light clothing, and bathing suits

• Winter vacation:
  - Overcoat, boots (footwear), warm underwear, warm hat and gloves

• Sports tournament or sports event:
  - Sportswear, footwear, uniform, team jersey, hat, etc.

• Business or work trip:
  - Business/work papers, computer, suits, shirt and footwear

• Wedding:
  - Dress/suit, makeup, dress shoes and jewellery

• Fishing trip:
  - Waterproofed jacket, warm underwear, warm socks and proper footwear

• Photography:
  -Camera and lenses, computer, tripod, chargers, jacket, and footwear

All odd-size baggage and special equipment needs extra protection and should be packed as stated below:

• Strollers/prams/car seats - are required to be either wrapped in bubble wrap, special travel plastic bag or packed in a special bag/case designed for the item. If your stroller/pram has inflatable tires, slightly deflate them.

• Bicycle - should be presented at check-in with the front wheel removed, the handlebars turned to line up with the frame, the tires slightly deflated and the pedals either removed or turned inwards. It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that bicycles are suitably packed to prevent damage to the bicycle itself and to other baggage in the hold. Bicycles must be packed in appropriately designed cases or carton boxes. SFO & LAX will only accept bicycles that are packed in recognized bicycle cases or carton boxes. Maximum weight is 27 kg. No additional items should be placed in the bag other than the bicycle. Under no circumstances can motorized bicycles, mopeds, scooters, or motorcycles be carried.

• Musical instruments - are required to be in hard shell cases designed for the instrument in question. Read more.

• Winter sports equipment - consists of one pair of skis or snowboard with poles and ski boots. Ski and pole tips must be protected to ensure that they do not damage other baggage in the hold. The maximum weight for winter sports equipment is 15 kg and the items must not exceed 190 cm (75 inches) in length. No additional items that are not part of the winter sports equipment should be placed in the bag. 

• Golf equipment - the heads of the golf clubs must be adequately protected and golf set placed in a travel bag that is designed to carry the golf equipment. Maximum weight for golf equipment is 20 kg. No additional items that are not part of the golf equipment should be placed in the bag.

• Fishing equipment - should be packed in rigid, secure containers and rods/poles must be fully broken down. Live bait is not allowed. As a preventative measure against the spread of infectious disease in Iceland, it is prohibited by law to use fishing equipment (including waders and rubber boots) which has been previously used overseas unless it has been adequately disinfected. Please be aware of the applicable rules and regulations in each country. No additional items that are not part of the fishing equipment should be placed in the bag. 

• Diving equipment - air tanks should be completely empty (vented) with their valves set to open. This can be verified by checking that the control valve is in the OPEN position and that the pressure gauge is reading zero. Equipment should be suitably packaged to avoid damage to other baggage and must be adequately insured by the passenger. Maximum weight for diving equipment is 15 kg. 
  
  Note: Underwater torches (diving lamps) which are heat producing can only be carried as carry-on baggage, with the prior approval of WOW air. The battery must be packed separately to prevent activation during transport. Removed batteries must be protected against short circuit.

• Surfboards/kiteboards/paddle boards - should be placed in heavy-duty, appropriately sized board bags. Please remove fins, use foam pipe insulation covering and duct tape it down the rails of your board, protect the ding prone areas of your board such as the nose and tail. Slide the board into a sock or bubble wrap bag if you have one and place the protected board in your board bag. Drain plugs and inspection hatches, if fitted, must be open. No additional items that are not part of the equipment should be placed in the bag. Maximum weight is 15 kg.

• Windsurfing boards - should be packed in cushioned, protective bags. The mast should be securely attached to the fin and drain plugs removed. The length of the mast and/or body must not exceed 4.75m / 187″. Tandem boards are prohibited. Limited amount per flight. No additional items that are not part of the equipment should be placed in the bag. Maximum weight is 15 kg.

• Fragile artwork - should be packed in a special box or case designed to hold that particular object. Maximum weight is 15 kg.

• Wheelchair – we recommend wheelchairs be packed in specially designed wheelchair bags.

• Pole vault equipment - should be packed in a secured, plastic container designed for poles. Pole vaults up to 277 cm (109 inches) are accepted in the hold. No additional items that are not part of the equipment should be placed in the bag. Maximum weight is 15 kg.

• Weapons and ammunition - sporting firearms (rifles, shotguns, air rifles and handguns/target pistols) for hunting and sports are accepted by WOW air but only as checked baggage. Prior notification must have been given to WOW air Customer Service, and the applicable fee must be paid by the guest. The following handling procedure should be followed:

1. The firearm and ammunition must be packed separately from other checked baggage and stowed in a location inaccessible to any unauthorized person during the flight.
   
2. The passenger must present the appropriate documentation including license(s) relevant to the use of the sporting firearm in the destination country, as well as the export from the country concerned. In addition to a visual inspection by check-in staff, the license holder must be consulted to determine that the sporting firearm is not loaded.
   
3. Sporting firearms are packed in a sturdy container and labelled with “Firearms” and the name of the owner.
   
4. Ammunition or cartridges excluding those with explosives or incendiary projectiles (classified under Division 1.4S: UN0012 and UN0014) must be securely packed, ideally in a strong and sealed container made of wood, metal or fibreboard. The ammunition should be packed in such a manner that prevents movement or shock to it during handling or transportation.
   
5. The quantity of ammunition must not exceed the permitted amount. Currently, this is 5 kg and must be for the passenger’s own use.
   
6. Baggage containing weapons must be directed to the out-of-gauge odd size/oversize baggage screening facility and accepted at that point for carriage. If required it must be physically inspected.
   

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This is not an exhaustive list. Please contact our Customer Service Center if you wish to travel with an item that is not listed here above. 

The items mentioned above are not considered normal baggage. You should always pack these items in a hard or padded case to avoid any potential damage. They should be packed in such a way that they can withstand normal baggage handling.