I know it was covered some time ago but there must be plenty of you flying around Aus with boards and sails. Advice needed please.

It seems when I talk to the airlines they crack it over windsurfers because they think of a sail as an old one piece mast still. I just want to fly to Perth from Adelaide with one board bag (10kg and 2.4m) and one quiver bag (22kg and 2.4m). Also need a regular checked bag of maybe 10 kilos.

What is the best way to approach this?

Platinum, book extra baggage early. Say it's a surf board, amalgamate (make those 2 bags, 32kg bag.

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curac said..
Platinum, book extra baggage early. Say it's a surf board, amalgamate (make those 2 bags, 32kg bag.

actually for domestic flights on qantas you are better off with two bags 23kgs or under. They changed their heavy charge to $50 for 23 to 32 kgs.Basically if you are flying economy and don't have Qantas Club or similar you are looking at 1 bag 23 kg included. Each additional bag upto 23 kgs is $35. If any of the bags is over 23kgs but below 32kgs it's an extra $50 for that bag.They don't take anything over 32kgs.

Also, important to remember that Jetstar uses luggage containers on some domestic routes. Baggage on those flights is limited to 190cm in total length. Sometimes Qantas flights you book through the qantas website can be Jetstar flights. Important to lookout for that.When you book your ticket pay the extra baggage before you arrive at the airport and make sure you mark the baggage as "surf" board, not "windsurf" board. For some reason their system still lists a windsurf board as "board with 360cm mast".Also remember that they will only coverage damages to specific amount guaranteed through international regulation. Can't remember the exact amount but from memory it's around $1000. They will pay for repair however.

Don't fly qantas or jet star.

Virgin are great. Keep the bags under 23kg and 3m length and you'll be sweet. Just pay for the extra pieces of luggage when you book. $35/piece each way.

I think Qantas is similar.

also works well to "double bag" your board. Eg the normal one inside a larger one.

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curac said..
Don't fly qantas or jet star.

any particular reason you would say that? Jetstar I understand but Qantas? Just compare Qantas and Virgin and fly with whatever is cheaper.

Qantas in my experience are just harder to deal with, virgin have always just loaded my gear on, and if you can get an upgrade I think their business class service is better and I also rate the lounges higher.

just had better experiences.

other things you have to keep an eye with Qantas is that if you have a connecting flight you don't get transferred to jet star. And re-checking luggage can be a pain.