Hi everyone!

I'm going to travel around Australia and I would like to take my gear with me...
Do you know the rules that apply with Quantas and Jetstar? I have a big travel bag (for 1 kite and 1 board), will it be considered as too big? Will I have to pay any extra?

I'm going to Cairns and too Tasmania, should I take my 11 or my 7??

Thank you for your help ;)

Qantas and Jetstar have comprehensive information about baggage allowances on their web sites.

I have personally found that Virgin are more accommodating when it comes to sporting euipment. Jetstar are very inflexible.

If you can pack your kite in you backpack/suitcase with your clothes and your board just in a small boardbag with your bar in there too. I've never paid excess this way, using a big gear bag its 50/50

I agree with Fozzy. I travel a bit for work and choose VirginBlue or Qantas if I am taking my gear. I've been caught with only Jestar as an option before and ended up posting some of my gear back home to avoid the $10/kg. Happy travels.

Qantas used to be fantastic. Travel the world with three surfboards, no problem. Since all the baggage restrictions came into play about 6-7 years ago, a lot of the airlines have discovered they can make the majority of their profits on excess baggage charges. Now, often you never know what they will do til you show up at check-in.

I once got charged $500 by United to carry two boxes of brochures from Syd to LA that didn't get printed in time to ship.

My experience is that Virgin are reasonable and will usually cut you some slack, despite what's in their official rules (and if you are especially sweet to the chika at the checkin counter who's been copping crap all day from everyone else)

Another trick I've seen pulled off very effectively to the applause of the rest of the queue, is if you get some bstrd at the check-in counter and they won't budge is to stand at the counter, open your bag and start taking out clothes and putting on layers of clothing until your checked bag gets down to the weight limit. After a bit of theatre the check-in guy will usually roll his eyes and realise he can't really stop you from wearing everything in your bag on the plane vs packing it in your checked bag and they will relent.

I know a guy who once wore his wetsuit (over his clothes) on the plane. Not the ideal solution but it could save you some $$s if they get stupid with you... And I agree. Jetstar are the worst.

Try to avoid virgin these days. They used to be ok bit now since they have started there new rules they suck. $8 a kilo for over 28 of is death. Quantas is the best in my opinion.

mate your better off carrying your kite bag as hand luggage and fitting the rest + your luggage in another ... worked for me