
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