Hello all,

I am possibly going back home to the UK and want to bring back all my kiting gear. With many airlines allowing free baggage check-in for golf bags... I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations or general advice for which kite 'golf' bag i should get... Or if there is a better way of getting my gear home...

Some models i have seen on the net are:

-Naish
-Mystic
-ION
-Cabrinha

Any reviews and advice would be great!

Cheers!

I travel heaps, between NZ and alll around oz. The airlines have all cracked down on it. Most now allow you 23kg total full stop. THe "sporting equipment" policy just gives you another piece.

Your best bet is to get a light as possible and pre-purchase extra baggage.

Here is a red hot tip:

When you arrive to check-in, great the staff with a friendly smile whilst you place your hand luggage bag directly in front of the scales so it's height is about that of the scales themselves.

Next, place your surfboards etc on the scales so the heavier end (tail/fins) protrudes out and rests on your conveniently placed hand luggage. This is best done while a partner occupies staff with passports, tickets etc.

You can wipe off plenty of kgs from the load with this technique.

Melbourne customs also way hand luggage on the way to security

All these tips are great - thanks very much!

flying jetstar? buy the excess online before you go (every check-in attendant is a wake up to the foot under the board bag) stung me an extra $280 on the last trip or upgrade to star class (larger luggage allowance and maybe a free cup of water) or better yet choose an airline that doesn't charge 25$ a kilo excess("Sorry I thought it was only $20 ".."flight is full" [no i am having a bad day thank you sucker])...

Hey guys,

I will be flying with emirites and this is a section from there baggage section on the webiste:

'In addition to your checked baggage allowance, you may also check in one set of golf clubs and one pair of golf shoes free of charge in any class of service on any Emirates flight.

Other sports equipment is subject to normal excess baggage charges if it exceeds your baggage allowance. Some items, such as ski equipment, may be subject to additional charges...'

Think i might just try the old kite 'golf' bag trick!

tightlines said...

Prawnhead said...

flying jetstar?.....

Then bend over and assume the position.

I just travelled to Melbourne/return with Virgin, 3 surfboards (wheelie coffin bag), 3 kites, 2 bars, harness wetsuits etc slightly over 30kg check-in, 7 kg carry on, no excess.

yep virgin is best domestic airline for surfboards, kiting equip etc.

but most importantly has the best looking hosties.

Fly in business / 1st class - then they don´t care what you carry . I used my RRD Golf Bag and no charge (this was in dog class). Another way, late check in - then they don´t have time to fight with you ....

If you fly to png on air niugini they allow surfboard bag and dive gear at no charge.

Farang said...
Another way, late check in - then they don´t have time to fight with you ....

Hi Farang,

Not quite right matey. The reason they weigh the baggage is so they know the fuel load required and also the take off weight. If you get there late and there is heaps of heavy baggage gone through before you and the plane is heavy, they will shaft you good!

This is why, as Steve has said, get there early and put your gear through before the plane is loaded up to capacity. They don't care early in the peace, it's only when she's heavy and you rock up late trying to check your heavy oversized sporting goods onto an already over weight aircraft that they get mean [}:)]

Always fly Virgin whenever possible! I rocked up once to check a heap of heavy bags on the plane and after weighing the check in chick says Ooooh, you're way over limit, we'll have to charge you excess baggage fees. I thinks, crap, here we go. She replies, that'll be 5 dollars thanks. I laughed, gave her a tenner and told her to keep the change!

Long time ago I flew Continental to Hawaii, they charged me $400USD (when the seat was 800 ish) and USD was ~1.50 AUD. I spat it, massive! Never flown on an American owned Airline again.

DM

WildDuke said...

This thread has inspired me to do a little reasearch as to what allowances we have available travelling with kitesurf equiptment and here is something that I found on the Emirates Airlines site:

Emirates will accept wind surf boards, surf boards, kite surfing equipment, kayaks, body boards, pole vault or other sporting equipment as checked baggage and part of your standard baggage allowance, provided:

They are less than 300 cm (10 feet) in length.

Any sails are detachable and collapsible.

It is appropriately packed in a hard-shell packing case. If not a Limited Release will be required.

For surf boards, the following precautions must be taken:

Fins should always be removed, or, if they cannot be removed, should be firmly packed with polystyrene foam.

Both nose and tail should have bubble-wrap or neoprene foam attached for protection.

The rails (sides of the board) should have cardboard down the sides to absorb shock.

The board should be packed in a properly padded surf-bag.

Good Work! I have booked my return flight back to UK with Emirites and will utilise the points identified above as part of my checked / standard baggage allowance (which is 7kg + 30kg = 37kg total)...

However, i was planning on using the free 'golf bag' allowance loophole to get the majorities of my boards and kites in disguise as golf clubs through without effecting my checked / standard baggage allowance.

Fingers crossed!