Showing posts with label Baggage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baggage. Show all posts

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Surf Travel - Surfboard Travel Bags - Baggage Limits on International Airlines

So, you got a great deal and found a cheap flight to your surfing destination. If you are packing up your Dakine bag with your two favorite surfboards, you may be in for a nasty surprise. In the world of surf travel, not all airlines treat your surfboard the same. How do the airlines stack up? Many of them, not so well.

Let's start with the worst. One major US based air carrier charges between $175 and $250 each way for your surfboard bag. To fly with this airline with your surfboard you are going to be paying between $350 and $500 round trip just for your surfboard. You can buy a new surfboard for $500 or a used surfboard for even less. Maybe you could use that money to buy a surfboard when you land and give it to a local kid when you leave. Essentially you would be giving the money to a local kid rather than a business that was trying to stick it to you for simply wanting to travel with your surfboard. When you get back home, all of your surfboards are still going to be in the shape you left them and you won't be out any more money than if you had brought your own surfboard with you. That is one way to make a good situation out of an ugly one.

Now for the bad. Unfortunately, most of the other major airlines around the world fall into this category. It is common practice for the airlines to deem your surfboard bag excess luggage and levy high fee's on the surfboard bag. You can expect to pay around $100 each way with most airlines to travel with your surfboard. If you plan to travel with your surfboard, I can not recommend highly enough that you check the airlines policy on surfboard bags prior to booking any flight. Many airlines have luggage restrictions at certain times of the year and you may not be able to bring your surfboard for any price on the airline.

In today's world of high jet fuel prices, it seems the airlines are competing tooth and nail on price and then try to make up for it with all of the "extras". Well, here is the good news. Several airlines do want surf traveler's business. A handful of airlines offer free travel for your surf bag. Quantas Airlines was awarded Surfer Magazine's "Airline of the Year Award". One of the factors in their decision was because Quantas do not charge for surfboard travel bags. In addition, Virgin Atlantic also offer free surfboard bag travel.

It is interesting to note that in November 2007 British Airways made a decision to no longer accept surfboards on all of their flights. This caused a stir with many travelers and even made its way into discussion in Britain's parliament. In September 2009, thanks to a campaign on Facebook, British Air eventually reversed their decision. They now allow surfboards up to 6'3 (190cm). However, for many surfers this unfortunately means longboards and minimals (funboards) are not allowed.

If you are taking your surfboard on your next flight, I suggest you take the time to email any airlines that you chose not to fly with because of their baggage rules / fees on surfboard travel bags. Let them know they lost business. The Facebook campaign is an example that consumer pressure makes a difference. While you're at it, let the airline you chose know what you think of their policy on surfboard travel bag charges.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Surf Travel - Surf Board Travel Bags - Baggage Limits on Airlines

So you have a lot and took a flight to the destination surf. If you pack your skate bag with your two favorite cards, you may be unpleasantly surprised. In the world of surf trip, not all airlines are treated the same as your surfboard. They act as airlines stack up? Many of them, not so well.

Let's start with the worst. A major U.S. air carrier charged between $ 175 and $ 250 per trip for the surfboard bag. To fly with this airlinewith your table, you will pay between $ 350 and $ 500 round trip just for your surfboard. You can buy a surfboard for $ 500 new or used surfboard for even less. Maybe you could buy the money on a surfboard when you land and there was a local child when you leave. In essence, you should give money to a child instead of a local business trying to do it for you just stick to travel with your surfboard. If you come home, all your surfboardstill be left as they made their money and will not be more than if you had your own table with you. This is a way to make a good from a bad position.

Now for the bad. Unfortunately, most other major airlines around the world fall into this category. It is common practice for airlines to keep the bag at the table and the excess charge high fee for the luggage in a surfboard bag. You can expect to pay about $ 100 each way with the mostair travel with your surfboard. If you plan to travel with your surfboard, I can not recommend it enough to check the airlines policy on surfboard bags before booking a flight. Many airlines have baggage restrictions at certain times of the year and may not be able to bring your carrier for surfboard on any price.

In today's world of high jet fuel prices, it seems that airlines are competing tooth and nail for the price and then tryOn it with all the "extras." Well, here's the good news. Several airlines want business travelers surf. A handful of airlines offer free travel bag for your surfing. Quantas Airlines has been "excellent Surfer Magazine" Airline of the Year Award. One of the factors in their decision was because Qantas do not charge for travel bags surfboard. In addition, Virgin Atlantic also offer free surf travel bag.

It 's interesting to note that in November2007 British Airways has decided to accept no more surfboards on its flights. This has caused a sensation for many travelers, and also made their way into the debate in the British Parliament. In September 2009, thanks to a campaign on Facebook, British Air, finally reversed its decision. They now allow surfboards 6'3 (190cm). But for many surfers it means, unfortunately, longboard, minimal (Funboard) are not allowed.

If you are under your surfboard on your nextFlight, I suggest you take the time, e-mail all the airlines that you selected, you need not fly because the rules of luggage bags and taxes on their surfboard to travel. Let them know that they have lost work. The campaign on Facebook is an example of how consumer pressure makes a difference. While you're there, leave the airline, what do you think of its policies on the fees surfboard travel bag.