Wind and kite surfing airline fees and policies
There are plenty of wind and kite surfing hot spots overseas, where the prospect of taking a tumble into the warm waters is more appealing than the cold waters the UK has to offer! Select a destination with reliable wind conditions and plenty of space
You may want to take your own equipment; we've collated the baggage allowances from 12 major airlines as a guide to flying with your wind surf and kite surfs.
Packing your surfing equipment
- Windsurf equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom and ideally should be packed in 1 package, preferably in a 'quiver bag'.
- Kite surf equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag ideally must be packed in 1 package, preferably in a kite bag.
| Airline | Are wind surfs and kite surfs accepted as part of the personal baggage allowance? | What are the size restrictions on wind surfs and kite surfs? | What is the weight limit on wind surfs and kite surfs? | Further information |
| Air France | Wind surfs and kite surfs can be transported in the hold with prior authorization by phone from our sales department.
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Under 107 cm / 42 inch free Equipment is between 107 and 300 cm / 42 and 118 in, you must purchase an additional baggage allowance |
23 kg / 50 lb maximum per board | |
| American Airlines | Transportation for both charged at $150. | Both: 126in / 320cm | Surf Board: 32kgs / 70lb | Oversize / overweight fees do not apply to windsurfing equipment. If you are checking-in windsurfing equipment and two bags or more, an excess baggage fee will apply in addition to the transportation charge. The three components as described above count as one piece for the purpose of excess baggage. Kite surfing equipment is exempt from oversize / overweight fees. If you are checking in kite surfing equipment and two bags or more, an excess baggage fee will apply in addition to the transportation charge. The three pieces as described above count as one piece for the purpose of excess baggage. |
| BMI | Economy Flexible if within baggage allowance free. If in excess £30 Economy fixed £30 fee |
There are no size or dimension restrictions | 32kg | |
| British Airways | BA will accept Windsurfs and Kayaks as checked baggage providing they do not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and are packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. Baggage weighing over 23kg will cost £65/$100/€75 |
90cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) | 23kg | |
| Easyjet | You will be charged an additional non-refundable fee for each item carried. Simply select the 'Sports equipment' option when you book your flights online. If your item is not listed it must be carried as part of your standard hold baggage allowance. | There are no size or dimension restrictions. | 20kg (small sports equipment) 32kg (large sports equipment) and increases your checked in hold baggage allowance to a maximum of 40 or 52kgs A single item cannot weigh more than 32kg in total |
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| Emirates | Accepted as checked baggage and part of standard baggage allowance | 300cm (118in) | 30kg, Business Class travellers 40kg and if you are flying First Class you can travel with 50kg of checked baggage. | Any sails must be detachable and collapsible. It is appropriately packed in a hard-shell packing case. If not a Limited Release will be required. |
| Flybe | Carriage of Wind surf Equipment is on a stand-by basis. An Exceptional charge applies to Wind surf equipment. |
300cm x 167cm x206cm | 20kg | Flybe are able to accept boards and sails |
| KLM | A surfboard can only be taken at a special fee, and only after reserving for its transportation. | 107 cm / 42 in | 23kg Economy class 32kg Business class |
Windsurf equipment may consist of a board, mast, sail and boom and must be packed in 1 package, preferably in a 'quiver bag'. Kite surf equipment may consist of a board and a kite bag and must be packed in 1 package, preferably in a kite bag. |
| Qantas Group | Wind surf/Kite Surfs, may not be able to be carried as checked baggage and will need to be sent as freight. Freight charges will apply. | 277cm (109in) | 32kg | One sailboard kit consists of not more than one board, mast, boom and sail, and the length does not exceed 277cm (109in). |
| Ryanair | Sporting equipment is inherently unsuitable for carriage by airlines operating fast turnarounds however these items may be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance upon payment of a discounted online fee of £50 per item, per one way flight when paid online or £60 when paid at the airport. Any sporting item weighing over the 20 kilos allowance will be charged for the excess at the applicable excess baggage rate per kilo.
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81cm x 119cms | 20kg | |
| United | Windsurfing equipment is not a part of the baggage allowance. Windsurfing equipment is subject to a $150 service charge (each way) per item for travel between the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and a $200 service charge for all other travel. | Items may consist of:
Windsurfing equipment must be padded and enclosed in a suitable package sufficient to protect from scratches or dents or other damage during normal handling. |
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| Virgin Atlantic | You can bring it in addition to your free baggage allowance, at no extra charge - as long as it doesn't weigh more than 23kg. Fee's when exceeding 23kg: £30 for UK Departure $60 for US Departure |
Note that you can bring either windsurfing or kitesurfing gear - not both. In either case, the board must not exceed 277 cm (109 inches) in length. | 23kg | Here is what you can bring: Windsurfing
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Date published 06/05/2014
All prices in the table are based on information provided by the airlines on the 6th May 2015.
If there are any airlines or information not included here that you would like to know more about, email us at feedback@purpleparking.com and we'll include the most popular.
