Airline guide for surfers

Asiana Airlines

Surfboard fees - $400 depending on destination

Website: http://us.flyasiana.com/

Specifications and prices

• Free if the surfboard baggage does not exceed the baggage allowance.
• If the surfboard baggage exceeds the free baggage allowance, you will be required to pay the excess baggage or weight charges. Excess baggage charges per route (US and non-US routes) can be viewed here.
• If a piece of baggage exceeds both the quantity limit and the weight/specification limit, excess baggage charges will be applied for both.

Notes:

• Surfboard equipment should be securely packed in a surfboard bag.

Connections:

• Asiana Airlines Checked Baggage Information
• Asiana Airlines Sports Equipment Information

Airline: Austrian Airlines

Surfboard fees - $400 depending on destination

 Website: http://www.austrian.co m

Specifications and prices

Surfboards can be included in the baggage allowance provided it is not exceeded, either in terms of number or weight

• Only pre-registered sports equipment weighing 32 kg and not exceeding 3.15 meters in length will be accepted
• Defined baggage that has been pre-checked and already exceeds the permitted baggage allowance will be charged the following fees:
• For small boards (up to 2m long):
• For domestic flights - 70 EUR
• Europe - EUR 80
• Intercontinental short - 100 EUR
• Medium Intercontinental - 200 EUR
• Long Intercontinental - 250 EUR
• For large boards (1 board up to 3.15 m, 1 bag containing surf accessories):
• For individuals - 110 EUR
• Europe - EUR 130
• Intercontinental short - 175 EUR
• Medium Intercontinental - 320 EUR
• Long Intercontinental - 400 EUR

Contact the airline to pre-register your sports equipment (REMEMBER: IT'S A MUST!) via their contact form or call them via the Austrian hotline

British Airways

Surfboard Fee : Free to $100*

Website: www.britishairways.com

Telephone: France: +33 (0) 825-825-400

Specifications & Fees

• Surfboards are accepted as checked baggage provided they do not exceed the maximum weight allowed for checked baggage and are packed in a recognized bag or case to prevent damage.
• The bag containing the board can have a maximum size of 190 cm (6'2 ft).
• Bags weighing more than 23 kg (51 lbs) may incur a $100 fee.
• Additional baggage charges also apply if you exceed the baggage limit
• Oversized surfboards, kayaks, canoes and paddles should be shipped as freight to their partner IAS Cargo

Notes:

• Don't forget to order your extra baggage online through the manage reservations option, otherwise you'll have to pay a nice bill at the airport for your extra baggage.

Links

• British Airways Baggage Information

Cathay Pacific

Surfboard Fee: Complimentary - 4 times the standard rate for additional baggage per pieceWebsite: www.cathaypacific.com

Specifications and prices

• Surfboards are subject to applicable standard excess baggage charges if they exceed your standard baggage allowance. Baggage allowance for economy class passengers is 30 kilos
• Acceptance of any baggage over 32 kg or over 203 cm is subject to prior authorization and notification at the time of booking. Please contact the reservations office at least 3 working days before your flight and they will consider whether they can accept your baggage.
• It's best to pre-purchase your excess baggage online to save up to 20% on excess baggage charges at the airport.

Notes:

• Cathay Pacific does not accept baggage over 32 kg or with overall dimensions exceeding 203 cm without prior agreement. The total dimensions of your baggage are the sum of its width, height and length.
• Items larger than the stated size must be split into smaller bags or they will not be accepted on the flight. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, contact your local reservation office at least 3 working days before your flight if your baggage is bulky and/or heavy.
• There are exceptions for sports equipment ,

Links Guidelines for sports equipment

Delta Airlines

Surfboard Fee: Free if surfboard weighs less than 50 lbs Website: http://www.delta.com/

Specifications & Fees

• Surfboards weighing less than 50 pounds are included in the standard baggage allowance. If it weighs more than 50 pounds, you will be charged the applicable surcharge fee depending on cabin and region of travel.
• Exterior linear dimensions (length + width + height) must NOT exceed 115 linear inches (292 cm), otherwise the item will not be accepted
• Items exceeding the free baggage allowance will be subject to additional or overweight baggage charges
• Surfboards are allowed up to two (2) boards per bag

Ratings

• Surfboard acceptance and rates from operator Delta Connection may vary. Surfboards over 72 inches in length are not permitted on Delta Connection flights. For more information, please contact the reservations department

Link

• Sports Equipment Information
• Excess Baggage Fees

Airline: Easyjet

Surfboard Fee: £45 - £55

Website: http://www.easyjet.com/

Telephone: France: +33 0806-141-141

Customer Service: https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/contact

Specifications and prices

• EasyJet categorizes surfboards as large sports equipment and must not exceed 32 kg
• Cost per item, per flight: Online booking: 45 euros
• Paid at the airport: 55 euros

Notes:

• You can pool the total allowable weights for your sports equipment and checked baggage, as long as no item weighs more than 32 kg.
  Once you have booked your sports equipment, EasyJet cannot refund you if you change your mind.

Link

• Sports Equipment Information
• Baggage Fees

Emirates

Surfboard Fee: Complimentary - Accepted as checked baggage and part of standard baggage allowance

Website: emirates.com

Telephone: France: +33 (0)1-5732-4999

Specifications and charges

• The Emirates accept surfboards as checked baggage and as part of your standard baggage allowance, provided they are less than 300cm in length. For surfboards, the following precautions should be taken:
• Fins should always be removed or, if they cannot be removed, they should be securely packed with polystyrene foam.
• The nose and tail should be protected with bubble wrap or neoprene foam.
• The rails (sides of the board) must have cardboard on the sides to absorb shocks.
• The board should be packed in a properly padded surf bag.
• Surfboards with overall dimensions exceeding 300 cm (118 inches) cannot be carried as checked baggage and must be sent as freight or cargo.
• If the sports equipment exceeds the free baggage allowance, excess baggage rates will apply

Etihad Airways

Surfboard Fee: Complimentary - Accepted as checked baggage and part of standard baggage allowance

Website: http://www.etihadairways.com

Specifications and charges

Etihad Airways claims that a surfboard would be free as long as:

• The surfboard does not exceed 3 meters in length
• Total baggage weight must not exceed 32 kg (70 lbs)
• Fins should always be removed or packed with Styrofoam
• The nose and tail should be protected with bubble wrap or neoprene foam.
• The rails must be covered with cardboard on the sides in order to absorb shocks
• The board must be packed in a properly padded board bag

Links

• Sports Equipment Information

EVA-Air

Surfboard fee: Free if it does not exceed the baggage allowance
Website: http://www.evaair.com

Specifications and charges

• Notify EVA Air at time of booking.
• Surfboards are allowed up to two (2) boards per bag.
• Surfboards are treated as normal baggage. If the baggage exceeds the allowance, you must pay an excess baggage charge. Excess baggage charges are levied based on the length of each piece of baggage if it exceeds 158cm below the concept piece. If the oversized baggage is also additional and/or overweight baggage, each fee must be collected.

Notes:

• Be very careful when traveling with your surfboard with Eva Air. They might give you confusing information and charge you more than the established fee. On the phone they will give you an amount to pay and at the airport another one on top.

Links

• Excess Baggage and Sports Equipment Information
• Contact Us Page

Airline: Finnair

Surfboard fee: free at $200

Website: http://www.finnair.com

Specifications and charges

• If the baggage allowance does not exceed, no additional charge applies.
  If a surfboard exceeds the maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (6'2ft x 29" x 25"), a surcharge of €150 or $200 USD/CAD is applied to all flights.
  The charge can be paid at the airport or in advance by completing this form or by contacting Finnair.

Airline: Iberia

Surfboard fee : $55 for short and medium haul flights; included in the passenger's baggage allowance on long-haul flights

Website: www.iberia.com

Phone:

• France: +33 825-800-965

 Specifications and charges

• A board not exceeding 3.5 m in length and weighing a maximum of 23 kg
  Long-haul flights (Americas, Asia and South Africa): Considered an item that can be carried within the passenger's allowance. If you add other items, exceeding the number of free items allowed, it will be considered excess baggage.
  Short and medium haul flights: A single fare of $55 in each direction applies, regardless of baggage allowance.
  Overweight charges apply for baggage weighing up to 32 kg. This fee must be paid at the airport.

Ratings

• The passenger should allow sufficient time for check-in, transfer and loading of equipment onto the aircraft.
  Its carriage will be subject to the availability of space on the flight. Surfboards must be properly positioned and packed, secured to prevent them from breaking or causing problems or injuries during boarding and transport.
  It is up to airline personnel to decide whether to use a system that facilitates transport of this equipment from the check-in area to the aircraft. Any costs related to this concept will be borne by the passenger.

Connections

• Special Baggage Information
• Contact Us Page

Japan Airlines

Surfboard fees : from $50 to $200

Website: www.jal.com

Phone:

• France: +33 0810-747-700

 Specifications and charges

• Charges for each carry bag will be assessed based on the itinerary.
• Japan, Asia, India, Oceania and Hawaii, North/Central/South America, Europe, Middle East, Africa: The price for one carry bag is 20,000 yen ($200)
• Between Japan and Asia, Guam, Oceania: The price of a carrying bag is 10,000 yen ($100)
• Japan Domestic flights: The price of a carry bag is 5,000 yen ($50)

Notes:

• Maximum of 2 surfboards per carry bag.
• Japan Airlines may not be able to check in items due to cargo hold space limitations. Please consult the airline or your travel agent in advance.

KLM

Surfboard fees: Free: Website: www.klm.com

Phone:

• France: +33 (0)9-6936-8605

•  Specifications and charges

  You can bring a surfboard (length between 107 and 300 centimeters and a maximum weight of 23 kg) free of charge instead of a check-in bag. This is applicable to all flights operated by KLM and Air France, with the exception of flights departing from, arriving in or transiting through Canada, Mexico and/or the United States.
  Travelers coming from or going to Canada, the United States or Mexico can always bring a suitcase for free, but must pay extra to take their surfing equipment on board.

Notes:

• Due to limited space on the plane, you must book the transportation of surf equipment as early as possible, no later than 48 hours before departure. You must also book for the transport of surf equipment if it is over 107 cm (42 inches). Your surf equipment (including bag) of max. 300 cm (118 inch) can weigh a maximum of 23 kg in economy class, and max. 32 kg in business class.

Links

• Special Baggage Information
• Customer Support Information

Lufthansa

Surfboard fees: $80 to $460 (depending on board type and destination)

Specifications and charges

• Domestic routes: 80
• Routes in Europe: 92
• North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Coast Countries: 115
• Short intercontinental lines: 172
• Average intercontinental connections: 230
• Long intercontinental journeys: 287
• Routes from/to Japan: 150
• Surfboards measuring up to 2m (200cm) - 3.15m (315cm) in length:
• Domestic routes: 126
• Routes in Europe: 149
• North Africa, Central Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Coast Countries: 201
• Short intercontinental lines: 287
• Medium intercontinental routes: $368/li
• Long intercontinental journeys: 460
• Routes from/to Japan: 300
• Sports baggage weighing more than 32 kg and measuring more than 315 cm in length is not accepted as travel baggage. They can be sent as air cargo

Notes:

• The Lufthansa allowance for sports equipment is limited. Be sure to reserve the desired sporting item(s) 24 hours before departure or as soon as possible with your travel agency or its service center.

Links

• Sports Baggage Information

Qantas

Free surfboard fee *

Website: http://www.qantas.com.au

Phone:

• France: +33 1-5732-9283

Specifications and charges

Australian and international routes:

• The surfboard is only accepted if it is enclosed in a board bag, must not exceed 32 kg and 277 cm long.
• Any additional baggage will be assessed according to airport excess baggage rates. Fares depend on the route. You can view them here.
• You can pre-purchase additional baggage allowance at lower rates than excess baggage charges at the airport.
• Fins should be removed if possible and placed in a closed compartment or taped to the board. Qantas check-in will attach a Fragile tag to the bag and you must complete and sign the limited release portion of the bag tag

Notes:
Due to size restrictions, your gear cannot travel on the same plane as you

• Surfboards over 9 feet long must be sent as freight and freight charges will apply
• Maximum dimensions of surfboards or surf ski bags must not exceed 240cm in length for customers traveling on QantasLink Dash 8 (Q200/300) aircraft

Links

• Sporting Equipment Information
• Additional Baggage Information

qatarairways

Surfboard costs free* over 1500 euros, do not exceed the excess of 30 kilos

Website: http://www.qatarairways.com

Specifications and charges

• Surfboards are accepted as checked baggage within the passenger's baggage allowance stated in the ticket.

• Surfboards whose dimensions (length + width + height) exceed the baggage allowance (weight and piece concept) by 300 cm (on flights with weight concept) and 158 cm (on flights with piece concept) will be charged in accordance with the excess baggage rates for sports equipment.
• Exceptions to the above rule apply to customers traveling to/from Sao Paulo from/to Bali, Singapore, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur with surfboards over 158cm (L+W+H).