Read this article and find out how much airlines are going to charge us for taking along our sleds to far-away destinations.

We do this as a service to you, the traveling surfer. Most of the following airlines include a surfboard as part of your regular bag allowance and let that sled fly for FREE:

• Virgin (Europe)
• Interjet (Mexico)
• Qantas (Australia)
• Singapore (Asia)
• South Africa (duh)
• Air New Zealand
• Qatar Airways (New 2014)
• Emirates (New 2014)

There are a few airlines that charge a nominal fee for your boardbag, I don’t mind paying that . . . free is better but nominal is almost as good. I have been flying Alaska to Cabo for the last few years and they charge between $50-$75 for a stuffed to the rim boardbag, thank you Alaska Airlines for keeping it real.

The following is the list of ‘you suck’ airlines and charge over $100 each way:

• American
• Continental
• Hawaii Air
• KLM (Reader Jeff reports 100 per board)
• Avianca (TACA)
• United

The following is the list of ‘dude, crazy money’ airlines and charge over $150 each way:

• Delta
• Iberia
• Japan Air
• Lufthansa
• US Air (reader Jim says they unzipped and counted his board and charged him $150 each).
  
• Northwest

The following is the  list for surfers that have ‘daddy warbucks money’. Unfortunately I’ve been caught by both Swiss Air and Thai Air personally. On Thai Air I had three boards in my bag coming back from Bali ($150 x 3) and they charged me some ridiculous tax on top of the $450. Can you imagine? I will NEVER fly Thai Air again and I hope that this list will prevent you from getting caught with your pants down.

• Alitalia $260
• Swiss Air $250
• Thai Air $150 Per Board (yes, they open the bag and count)
• United $200
• All Nippon $300

– See more at: http://wavetribecompany.com/2014-airline-surfboard-boardbag-fee-guide-for-surfers/#sthash.2D9FD4CQ.dpuf