Airline company British Airways has changed the surfboard transportation rules for bookings made from July 31, 2009, for customers traveling from October 7, 2009.
The new policy - more surfer-friendly - says all sporting equipment (excluding the not acceptable for carriage list - check below) will be accepted for travel only if they are packed correctly within the maximum weight and reduced maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in).
This means that you can carry surfboards, windsurf boards, kiteboards, and bodyboards up to 6'2'' (190cm).
From November 6th, 2007, British Airways has not been accepting surfboards inside an airplane.
Things are not quite perfect for surfers, but they got a little better. British Airways changes to the carriage of sporting equipment:
Sporting equipment will be included as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
If the number of bags exceeds your free allowance, you will be charged the excess baggage rate for each extra bag.
The heavy bag charge of £30 ($50) will apply each way to all bags more than 23kg (51lbs) and up to 32kg (70lbs).
All sporting equipment (excluding the not acceptable for carriage list) will be accepted for travel only if they are packed correctly within the maximum weight and reduced maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in).
The carriage of firearms will incur a £50 charge each way to cover third-party handling costs.
Sporting items we do not accept for carriage
Because of the large size and the associated handling complexities, there is some equipment that cannot be accepted as checked baggage:
- Hang-gliders;
- Windsurfing boards and sails;
- Water skis that exceed the maximum dimensions;
- Surfboards that exceed the maximum dimensions;
- Kayaks and canoes;
- Pole vaults;
- Javelins;