I've flowen with my kite gear on:
Air Canada
United (stay away they suck)
Virgin Blue
Air Calidonia
Air Tonga (think that's right)
and which ever one it is that goes to the Coco's Islands

Lugage allowance differ from company to company so it really depends on who you fly with and what you "tell" (dont' say anything if they don't ask) them is in the bag. Some of the small coffin bags don't get a second look if your under weight. Be sure that you read the terms and conditions as well as the airlines bagage rules before you buy the ticket, cause they won't bend to accomidate you.

As for fins I take them off mainly because I don't want to see the board or the fins damaged in transit and the board takes up less space in the bag. Screws up the vacation when there's no kite stores near by.

I flew up to Brissie on Qantas with all my gear a few weeks back. No dramas at all but be sure to keep the weight of your check in bag/bags under 23kg. Anything over that and you will get slugged. Not sure about Virgin or Jetstar tho.

Was also in the States mid last year and flying with American Airways mainly and didnt get slugged at all with them. A few of the other smaller airways slugged me for oversize luggage (about US$20) due to the length of the kitebag but most were fairly good. Totally agree with Crazy Canuk tho, check all the terms and conditions of the airline before booking your flights.

yup.. will call them i think and see what the policies are.. i can get my kites in to hand luggage ..( the power of foils..;-) ) but the boards were my main concern...

just flew with Qantas on the weekend domestically, had my surfboard, TT, Harness and wetsuit in my board bag and my 3 kites in one bag (you can do that with flysurfers ) and it all went a treat, no charge etc

With Qantas make sure your flight is a 3 digit flight - if its 4 or above it usually means that its a smaller aircraft and they seem to be more stringent on restrictions.

Seems everytime you fly though it is a bit of a lucky dip - ie American Airlines ripping my arms off in California... tossas

cRAZY Canuk said...

lancekenny said...
Seems everytime you fly though it is a bit of a lucky dip - ie American Airlines ripping my arms off in California... tossas

.

On another note I've packed two rebels into one bag and taken it as carry-on. Though if you do that pack your bar and lines in a check in bag - they don't look kindly apon them at the x-ray machine

Just returned from interstate as yourself I packed 2 Rebels together in the 1 bag but did not think to use as carry on.Copped a fee of $10 / Kg with Quantas, on the return trip we had accumulated more gear but got let through with no access?? Quantas have ditched there sporting goods allowance all comes in the 23kg limit.Must say though it was worth the $60 in excess.

Check out this website, which gives a really good overview of the different airline policies : www.oceansource.net/

I travel quite a bit with my gear, and the policy depends on the airline and the check-in staff on the day, but generally it is based on the total weight of your checked in baggage (i.e. About 23 kgs max for Eco). A few airlines do allow sports equipment at no charge, and some airlines will carry just golf bags at no charge (on top of your 20 kg baggage allowance), so a lot of people have a kite bag with 'Golf' written down the side, which can work, but not always. When I front up with my 'golf' kite bag, they quite often ask me "what's inside", and I just reply confidently "sports equipment" (Like it should be obvious to them, because it's got 'Golf' written on the side!) and they rarely ask another question about it. Seems to work? [}:)]

If you're travelling on a regional airline with small aircraft, the limit can be only 10 to 15 kilos, so best to make sure.

Burls said...


so a lot of people have a kite bag with 'Golf' written down the side, which can work, but not always. When I front up with my 'golf' kite bag, they quite often ask me "what's inside", and I just reply confidently "sports equipment" (Like it should be obvious to them, because it's got 'Golf' written on the side!) and they rarely ask another question about it. Seems to work? [}:)]

Haha don't reckon i'll get away with that one using the mystic 'ammo box'!