| "I don't know -- that's the system," a caught-off-guard airline employee responded, after I badgered him about why I was being charged extra when checking my boardbag.
Ah. The system. It'll always get you one way or another. Fact is, traveling with surfboards is a hassle.
But if you're reading this, chances are you're probably willing to deal with it for a few exotic barrels.
So, here's a list that will prepare you for THE WORST when you step towards that ticket counter with tubes in your eyes. |
 |
|
|
|
First, a few friendly reminders for dealing with airline personnel: Aim for a "cool" looking ticket clerk. Be polite and smile.
Try to pack only one checked item, acting as if your surfboard bag is your second (or only) piece. Act completely shocked when they say there is an additional charge for boards.
Politely engage them in some logical reasoning (to save face). When all else fails, pray they don't open your bag and charge per board.
As a different yet slyer airline attendant reassured me, "If you don't mention it, maybe they won't notice." --Mike Cianciulli
*This stuff changes all the time. Share your own boardbag tips and stories right here. |
|
| AIRLINE SURFBOARD BAG CHARGES |
| Airline |
Fee |
Notes |
Website |
Phone |
| Aero California |
$35 |
One-way per bag, under 50 lbs |
www.aerocalifornia-usa.com |
800-237-6225 |
| AeroMexico |
$50 |
One-way per board, max length 9' - packed. |
www.aeromexico.com |
800-237-6639 |
| Air France |
$125 |
One-way per bag, ouch! |
www.airfrance.com |
800 237 2747 |
| Air New Zealand |
Free |
As part of your two-bag limit, otherwise $80 |
www.airnewzealand.com |
800-262-1234 |
| Alaska |
Free |
As part of your two-bag limit, otherwise $50 |
www.alaskaair.com |
800-252-7522 |
| American Airlines |
$80 |
One-way per bag under 70 lbs |
www.aa.com |
800-433-7300 |
| American West |
$80 |
One-way per board |
www.americawest.com |
800-363-2542 |
| ATA/Pleasant Hawaiian |
$50 |
One-way per board, need limited release |
www.ata.com |
800-435-9282 |
| British Airways |
Free |
As one of your two checked pieces as long as it's under 70 lbs and 100" |
www.britishairways.com |
800-AIRWAYS |
| China Air |
Price varies with destination |
One-way: Under 109" |
www.china-airlines.com |
800-227-5118 |
Continental*
|
$80/$100 |
One-way 2 boards per bag. Max 115" $80
Domestic/$100 International |
www.continental.com |
800-523-3273 |
| COPA |
$30 |
One-way per board. Limit 2 boards per passenger. |
www.copaair.com |
800-FLY-COPA |
| Delta* |
$80/$100 |
One-way per bag. $100 for boards over 100" |
www.delta.com |
800-221-1212 |
| Hawaiian Air |
$80 |
One-way. Two boards max. per bag, Max height 11ft.
|
www.hawaiianair.com |
800-367-5320 |
| Iberia |
$100 to 150 |
One-way per board: $100 Domestic/$150 International |
www.iberia.com |
800-504-8030 |
| Japan Air |
Price varies with weight |
1.5% multplied by the excess baggage lbs |
www.japanair.com |
800-525-3663 |
| Jet Blue* |
$25 |
One-way per bag. *No excess baggage (including surfboards) allowed on flights to the Bahamas or Dominican Republic |
www.jetblue.com |
800-538-2583 |
| Korean Air |
$70/$140 |
Under 109"/Over 109" One-way per board |
www.koreanair.com |
800-438-5000 |
| Lan |
$100 to 150 |
One-way per bag. Price varies with destination. |
www.lan.com |
866-435-9526 |
| Lufthansa |
$100/$200 |
Under 78"/Over 78", per board, not bag, One-way, must reserve spot for the board |
www.lufthansa-usa.com |
800 645-3880 |
| Malaysian |
Price varies with destination |
Bags are 50% of normal excess baggage charge |
www.malaysiaairlines.com |
800 552 9264 |
| Mexicana |
$75 |
One-way per bag, Max 100" |
www.mexicana.com |
800-531-7921 |
| Northwest |
$80 |
One-way per bag |
www.nwa.com |
800-225-2525 |
| Qantas |
$50 |
One-way per bag, Nothing allowed over 70lbs and 109" |
www.qantas.com.au |
800 227 4500 |
| Singapore |
Free |
As part of your two bag limit. Otherwise, $109
each way |
www.singaporeair.com |
800 7423333 |
| South African Airlines |
Free |
As part of your two bag limit, not exceeding 109", otherwise, $125 |
www.flysaa.com |
800 722 9675 |
| Southwest |
$50 |
One-way per bag (2 boards per bag). No size restricitons. |
www.southwest.com |
800-435-9792 |
| TACA |
Free/$100 |
No charge for domestic flights, $100 for international. Limit 2 boards per passenger. |
www.taca.com |
800-400-TACA |
| Thai |
$100 |
One-way per board. |
www.thaiairways.com |
800-426-5204 |
| United* |
$100/$200 |
Under 109"/Over 109", One-way per bag, 2 boards per bag |
www.united.com |
800-864-8331 |
| USA3000 |
$50/$100 |
One-way: $100 if over 50 lbs. |
www.usa3000airlines.com |
877-USA-3000 |
| USAir |
$80 |
One-way per board |
www.usairways.com |
800-245-4882 |
| Varig |
$42.50/$85 |
Under 109", $42.50 per board
each way, Over 109", $85 per board each way |
www.varigbrasil.com |
800-468
2744 |
| Virgin Atlantic |
$100 to 150 |
Price varies with destination |
www.virgin-atlantic.com |
800 821 5438 |
|
|
|
*SEASONAL SURFBOARD EMBARGOS
Depending on the time of year, some airlines won't even take your surfboard -- for any excess baggage charge.
See the list below, and ask any airline, especially if you're booking during peak travel times.
DELTA
Excess baggage (including surfboards) is NOT allowed on flights:
To Guadalajara, Guatemala, Mexico City, Panama City, San Salvador, and San Jose between November 15 and January 15.
To San Salvador from July 15 to August 15. To Santo Domingo permanently.
CONTINENTAL
Surfboards and Wakeboards will not be accepted during an excess baggage embargo when no excess baggage is allowed (0 pieces). Exception: Surfboards
and Wakeboards will be accepted to Costa Rica during an embargo period.
Continental does not accept excess baggage in the following YEAR ROUND
embargoed markets: Caracas, Venezuela (CCS); Houston, Texas to Bogota, Colombia (BOG) Lima, Peru (LIM) San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL) Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI) Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS)
Continental Seasonal Embargos by City:
www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/embargo.asp
UNITED
Travel to Costa Rica, Guatemala and El Salvador
The checked baggage policy for travel from (and via) Los Angeles to Costa Rica and Guatemala effective February 18, 2005, is as follows:
During the peak summer travel period of May 28-September 6, and the peak winter travel period of December 4, 2005-January 6, 2006, customers are limited to the number and size of their checked baggage.
The following guidelines apply to all customers: Maximum linear dimensions: 62 linear inches/157cm (length + width + height) each.
No oversize, overweight or extra bags will be accepted. (= NO SURFBOARDS) Only one box is permitted as part of a customer's free allowance; it must be the original manufacturer's box containing the original item.
ALTERNATIVES WITHOUT EMBARGOS (BUT SOME RESTRICTIONS):
AMERICAN, LACSA, TACA, LAN, MEXICANA, AEROMEXICO.
|
|
|
;)
;)
