JP- Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Hi, Am going to Melbourne later in the month and am wondering if anyone else has been to Australia and checked in kite boarding equipment. I have been looking at some of the airline's website about sports equipment rules but they all seem a bit confusing. Luckily work is paying, but which airlines are best for kite gear? I don't want to get to the airport and to be hit by a big excess baggage fee that I have to pay on the spot. Quote
Tjah1087 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Flew to Sydney with etihad last September, took a small padded board bag with just my board in for no extra cost, and a kite in my main luggage. Absolutely no hassle whatsoever. I have heard that customs can come down on you like a ton of bricks if it's sandy though, they don't like foreign soil/sand getting into the country incase it brings new species. Quote
Jay586 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Yep, this is true. Nothing with dirt on it, even boots. They make you take them off and get them scrubbed, which isn't what you need after a 24hr flight. I'd ring each airline but they're generally much better than shorthaul airlines and then try to get something in writing. It's not worth getting an excess baggage charge at the airport. Quote
OllyB Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Most bizarre regulations on entering a country I have ever come across. I thought the US were world leaders in paranoia? I flew with Singapore Airlines, awesome airline but their excess baggage charge is something like $30 per kg!! Get all your kites and things in regular luggage, if you are taking a board just put in it a regular single board bag with towels for protection. As stated above make sure everything is clean when you enter as they arent fond of foreign....anything. Having said that I'd still lay claim to fame that I am probably the only person EVER to walk through Perth security with boots covered in mud snow and all sorts of other dirt from Mongolia's countryside. Dont kow what all the fuss is about to be honest...... Olly Quote
Jay586 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 It's because the local animals and plants have no in-built protection against viruses and diseases, due to having evolved as an island. Think germ equivalents of what rabbits have done to Oz's landscape... The Aussies can keep diseases at bay, unlike us (eg Blue Tongue or Foot and Mouth) so they do. Quote
plummet Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Yes make sure everything is crispy clean. The reason for the Paranioa is because its an island nation that does not have some plant/animal diseases/species that other countries have. bringing in an insect/disease ect could actually cripple the agricultural industry. so don't have a pear in your back pack!! That aside. look at the baggage allowances including the maximum sizes. try to get a ticket thats 2 bags at 23kg's a bag. Quote
PAUL0 Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 i go every year. Emirates give 30kg luggage allowance. I take 2 kites a board, harness etc and just don't take many clothes lol! Put the board in as fragile - job done. They even let me bring a 7'6" surf board back with me free of charge...sweet! Quote
grunner Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 Richard Branson kites and virgin normally gives a good deal, check out there website. I think Virgin allows sporting goods in one bag and no matter what that bag weighs it gets nominated as 5kg towards your total allowance. I live in Brisbane and generally only fly domestic where the rules are a bit different. Quote
JP- Posted October 9, 2010 Author Report Posted October 9, 2010 (edited) Thanks for the info guys, will check out those airlines. Emirates does seem to be the best with their 30kg allowance and not too expensive too Edited October 9, 2010 by JP:-) Quote
Jay586 Posted October 9, 2010 Report Posted October 9, 2010 We flew Emirates both times to Oz and they were fab. Get your runners on and as soon as the plane is in the air & the light is off, get out of your seat and find the largest space to crash in that you can. Quote
Dominich Posted October 9, 2010 Report Posted October 9, 2010 We flew Emirates both times to Oz and they were fab. Get your runners on and as soon as the plane is in the air & the light is off, get out of your seat and find the largest space to crash in that you can. Yeah that's about right, altho their airport is the busiest I've ever been to! Quote
thelukeandrews Posted October 12, 2010 Report Posted October 12, 2010 Are you generally allowed as large a bag as you like provided it's within the weight limit? Thinking of having a huge togbag with board (VERY light), 2 LEI's and clothes which should come to about the 20kg limit... but will be pretty huge Also.. anything I should know about taking equipment to South Africa? Quote
Andy-j Posted October 13, 2010 Report Posted October 13, 2010 When i went to switzerland i took 2 kites, 2 bars, harness, snowboard, bindings, boots & helmet. = 31.5kg. My mate who just flew to NZ this morning managed to check in 2 surfboards with a kite board inbetween for nothing. Quote
JP- Posted October 13, 2010 Author Report Posted October 13, 2010 When i went to switzerland i took 2 kites, 2 bars, harness, snowboard, bindings, boots & helmet. = 31.5kg. My mate who just flew to NZ this morning managed to check in 2 surfboards with a kite board inbetween for nothing. 2 surfboards and kite board for free, that is amazing. Which airline was that with? Quote
Andy-j Posted October 13, 2010 Report Posted October 13, 2010 I have no idea, i'll ask him when he gets there.... Quote
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