There is a great article I have just seen by the good people at Mesurf.com.au and well worth storing away for future use. It goes through all the details of each airlines excess baggage and board requirements. Handy reading and well worth storing away. After one recent experience we are sticking with Virgin from now on.



Here is the QUICK SUMMARY

VIRGIN - Our number one choice for airline travel. Not only for the super friendly (and good looking) staff, but Virgin are the most flexible when it comes to transporting your boards. They'll get you onto your flight even if you're running behind schedule plus they're almost always on time.

QANTAS - We found these guys to be the airline for 'professionals', meaning they're a little more expensive, and they're very strict on their rules. Great airline if you're part of the Qantas club - using their facilities between flights is a well worth bonus.

JETSTAR - These guys have room for improvement but seem to be (slowly) changing their ways. They have a long way to go and from our research we didn't find too many happy customers. They're not much cheaper than the competition and seem to always be late - Not good if you've only got a small window of opportunity to nab a short-range swell.

REX - Most expensive but with good old fashion service. Rex fly direct to some exclusive regional locations, which should save you travel time. There are a handful of worthy destinations worth checking out, but you'll want to make sure you know what the coastline is doing in that area before dropping a few hundred $$.

TIGER AIRWAYS - Surfers should avoid being lured by Tigers' cheap ticket prices. This airline has surfboard charges nothing short of 'fly-way' robbery; you'll only get scoured when you go to check-in.


Read more: http://mesurf.com.au/MagazineDetail.aspx?id=1734&name=australia%27s-domestic-airlines-for-surfers?Bfeature&utm_source=saltmotion&utm_campaign=b87c09c2b8-2010_07_267_26_2010&utm_medium=email#ixzz0upmH7YQL

Hello friends,
if you have flown with any of this airlines tell us if they accept your SUP, size of the board, overcharge and where you fly out from..
Like this everyone can have an idea!
Bye Jankie

kitesurfbali said...

Hello friends,
if you have flown with any of this airlines tell us if they accept your SUP, size of the board, overcharge and where you fly out from..
Like this everyone can have an idea!
Bye Jankie

Jankie,

In indo had no problems with Lion, Garuda and Mandala.... Was charged excess with Mandala though as board and crap weighed over 20kg... but chucked up a stink coz they were going to charge Rp170,000 but coz it was sporting equipment only Rp50,000... no other troubles

jetstar seem to be fine, ive travelled with both snow ski gear and kitesurf gear.
as long as it doesnt way over 20kg per piece their all sweet.

its just wat mood your/the checkin chick is and how packed the plane is.

and (believe me or not) if you wear a nice pair of shoes/pants and a collared shirt they'll be much more accomodating.

i didnt believe it, but it worked, i got upgraded from a normal cheap seat to bussiness class becasue i had a collared shirt and a nice laptop bag.

My experience:
Hawaii- flew Jetstar, picked up a 9'3 PSH, wrote 9ft in big letters on the board bag, $120 to get it booked through to Perth. The Hawaiian baggage guys had heaps of aloha and couldn't have cared less. No dings or damage but did pack it with lots of foam.

Bali from Perth - Virgin last year, 2 short boards, 1 SUP, all clothes shoved into boardbags. Made sure I printed out the rules from the Virgin website as the ground crew at Perth Airport are only contract staff who didnt have a clue and were a bunch of Sge Shultzs saying I had to pay $20 extra per kilo ( 30 kilos worth ) until I produced the document.

Bali from Perth- Air Asia - IDIOTS in a word. They base everything on weight. So I rang them...
Me: hi there can I take a standup paddle board on the plane?
AirAsia: Whats a standup paddle board?
Me: look into my eyes, not around the eyes....
Air Asia: Er, maybe, how much does it weigh...
Me: around 10kg.
AirAsia: OK thats good.
Me: Yeah but other airlines focus on the length so it can fit in the hold, so could it be 14ft?
AirAsia: we base it on weight. If you read our blah..........
Me: I know, I read it, that's why I'm ringing you.
AirAsia: well we base it on weight, I'm sorry I can't answer that question for you.

So I didn't risk it with the nupties at the airport and ended up renting one with Jankie for a half day and getting some waves on the Nusa Dua side. Enjoyed the pool with the kids and didnt miss it (much)