News | Know Before You Go | Cost of Travelling with Golf Equipment

Cost of Travelling with Golf Equipment

When travelling economy class with airlines such as British Airways, American Airlines or United Airlines, passengers’ currently only receive an allowance of one piece of luggage and need to pay excess charges in order to transport both one suitcase and one set of clubs.

Airlines such as Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and Air France however, were found to allow one golf bag per passenger at no extra charge and surprisingly, the research also found KLM now offers this service, provided the entire journey is operated by KLM or Air France (including Martinair).

The no-frill carriers, such as Ryanair and Easyjet, may offer the attractive flight ticket prices up front but golfers need to be particularly careful when checking-in golf equipment. In addition to charging for checked-in bags, the low-cost airlines were all found to charge additional fees for golf baggage. Ryanair, for example, charge £40 per single flight for a golf bag in addition to their standard charges for other baggage. Easyjet were found to charge passengers for a weight allowance of 12kg for sporting equipment, costing £25 per item, per flight when pre-booked or £30 per item, per flight when booked at the airport. It’s easy to see how these baggage charges can mount up for golfers, so it pays to be prepared and Know Before You Go, with golfers possibly finding it more cost effective to hire clubs at their destination.

Airline	Baggage Allowance	Excess Baggage Fees	Golf Bag Weight Limit	Golf Bags per Passenger	Cost	Notes
Aer Lingus	Europe Low Fare: 1 bag, max 20kg Flex Fare 2 bags, max 20kg total US Low Fare: 1 bag, max 23kg Flex Fare:2 bags max 23kg each Business: 3 bags, max 32kg each free	Europe £8 per kg (online) £13 per kg (airport) US Up to two pieces of baggage with a total weight of: 37kg-46kg at £35 46kg-64kg at £70	15kg	One per passenger	Europe £26 per flight (online) £35 per flight (airport) Free for Business class passengers US No charge if golf bag is within baggage allowance If over baggage allowance, charged as excess baggage	Max 12 golf bags per flight on regional flights
Air France	Europe Voyageur: 1 bag, max 23kg Premium Eco: 2 Bags, max 23kg each Premium Affairs: 2 bags, max 32kg each free US Voyageur 1 bag, max 23kg free. Premium Voyageur 2 Bags, max 23kg each free Premium Affairs 2 bags, max 32kg each free La Premieré 2 bags, max 32kg each free Club members 1 extra bag free 23/32kg according to fare class	All Destinations For an allowance of 1 free bag: first extra bag is £48 then £175 per bag. For an allowance of 2 or more bags: £175 each	23kg in addition to any checked baggage	One per passenger	All Destinations Free for one golf bag per passenger Extra golf bags charged as excess baggage
Alitalia	Europe Economy 1 bag, max 23kg Premium 2 bags, max 23kg each Business 2 bags, max 32kg each US Economy 1 bag, max 23kg Premium 2 bags, max 23kg each Business 2 bags, max 32kg each	Europe Up to 2 extra bags: £48 per bag US Up to 2 extra bags, £65 per bag 3 or more extra bags:£175 per bag	23kg	Any golf bags passenger’s check-in count towards their baggage allowance.	Free if within baggage allowance	Ulisse, FrecciaAlata and FrecciaAlata Plus Clubs members always have free transport of sports equipment on Alitalia flights For tickets issued as of 01/09/10 Exclusive Members can carry on Alitalia operated flights an additional free piece of sporting equipment (23 kg max if they travel in Economy Class and 32 kg max if they travel in Business Class),
American Airlines	All destinations Economy 1st bag, 23kg free 2nd bag, 23kg £37 Full Fare economy 2 bags, 23kg each free Business/First 3 free checked bags, max 23kg each Club members 2 extra bags free	All destinations Economy £37 for the 2nd checked bag £94 for subsequent bags Full fare economy £94 per bag Business/First £94 per bag	32kg	One per passenger containing no more than 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes	Economy: £37 if the golf bag exceeds luggage allowance of 1 bag Business/First: £94 if the golf bag exceeds customers luggage allowance of 3 bags	All equipment must fit in a single hard sided golf case Swingless Golf Club load strips are considered dangerous goods and are not permitted in checked or carry-on baggage. Up to 62in / 157cm (length + width + height)
BMI Baby	All Destinations Max 22kg of baggage for a fee	All Destinations £9 per kg (online/call centre) £12 per extra kg(airport)	Golf bags count towards customers 22kg limit for checked in baggage	One per passenger	£17.99 per flight per item (online) £23 per flight per item (call centre/airport)
British Airways	All Destinations First Club World Three bags, max 32kg each Club Europe Two bags, max 32kg each World Traveller Plus Two bags, max 23kg each World Traveller Y class (full-fare Economy) Two bags, max 23kg each World Traveller/Euro Traveller One bag, max 23kg Club members May be entitled to extra allowance	All Destinations First Club World £77 per bag Traveller Plus £77 per bag Traveller Y class (full-fare Economy) £77 per bag World Traveller 1st extra bag: £34 Subsequent extras: £77 per bag Club Europe 1st extra bag: £30 Subsequent extras: £30 per bag Euro Traveller / UK Domestic 1st extra bag: £30 Subsequent extras: £30 per bag	Golf bags count towards passenger’s limit for checked -in baggage	Limited by baggage allowance only	Free if within baggage allowance	Golfing equipment will only be accepted if packed appropriately in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage Golf bag dimensions max 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5 inches)
British Midlands	All Destinations Economy Max 20kg of baggage for a fee Business Max 30kg of baggage for a fee Club members Entitled to an extra weight allowance.	Europe £10 per extra kg Between UK and Dublin Additional bag charge of £15 per bag for customers travelling on economy S class fares and below	Golf bags count towards your weight limit for checked in baggage	One per passenger Containing golf clubs and 1 pair of golf shoes	Business/Flexible Economy: Free if within baggage allowance. If in excess of baggage allowance: £30 fixed fee, per item, per flight Economy: A flat rate of £30 per item, per flight will be applied. If the item is over 20kg but under 32kg then an additional £30 per item, per flight will apply	Sporting goods may be included as part of the free allowance in Economy for flights from London Heathrow to/from Casablanca and Marrakech
Cathay Pacific	US First 2 bags, max 32kg per bag Business 2 bags, max 32kg per bag Economy 2 bags, max 23kg per bag All other destinations First Max 40kg baggage Business Max 30kg baggage Economy Max 20kg baggage	US From £124 per bag All other destinations from Europe £37 per kg	Golf bags count towards passenger’s weight limit for checked in baggage	One per passenger including one pair of shoes	Free if within baggage allowance	US 50% of the applicable unit charge if in excess of the free Checked Baggage Allowance. Only one set of golfing equipment will be entitled to the special rate; any additional set(s) will be charged at the applicable extra charges. All other Destinations If the total is over the free checked baggage allowance, equipment up to 15 kg (33lbs) will be assessed at a special extra baggage charge equivalent to 6 kg of the applicable extra baggage rate. Total dimension sof each piece max 158cm (l+w+h)
Continental	All Destinations 1 bag, max 23kg free Continental OnePass® Silver Elite and United MileagePlus® Premier® members Up to two checked bags free. BusinessFirst®, First Class, International Business, and Latin Business Class Customers get up to three checked bags free	All Destinations £45 per bag	Golf bags count towards customer’s weight limit for checked in baggage.	One per passenger including pair of shoes and golf balls	Free if within Baggage allowance	All items must be properly encased in a suitable container. The golf bag must be covered or enclosed in a heavy, rigid carrying case Golfing equipment containers measuring more than 62 inches (157 cm) L+H+W that contain other items in addition to or in place of appropriate golf equipment will be subject to an oversize fee
Delta Airlines	Between US and Europe General allowance 1 bag, max 23kg free Full, Y-class Economy 2 bags, max 23kg each First/Business class 2 bags, max 32kg each	Between US and Europe £52 per bag (online) or £65 (airport)	Golf bags count towards customer’s limit for checked in baggage.	One per passenger containing one set of golf clubs, golf balls and tees and one pair of golf shoes	Free if within Baggage allowance Overweight baggage fees will apply to bags that exceed 23kgs.	Golf clubs will be accepted as checked baggage under the following conditions: Golf bag is packaged within a hard-shell case Golf bag is packaged within a soft-sided golf club travel bag after a limited release has been signed Delta is not responsible for damage noted at the time of check-in or damage due to over-packing the bag. Oversized baggage fees will be waived for golf bags that exceed 157cm (l+w+h) linear inches. Bags exceeding 290cm (l+w+h) will not be accepted
Easyjet	All Destinations Max 20kg of baggage for a fee	All Destinations £10 per kg up to a maximum of 50kg Max 32kg per bag	Golf bags count towards passengers’ checked-in bag allowance.	One bag per 12 kg weight allowance purchased	Passengers must buy a weight allowance (12kg) for sporting goods: £25 per item per flight (pre-paid) £30 per item per flight (at airport)	Passenger’s must be travelling with sports equipment (as listed in the booking process), although the exact weight distribution between items doesn’t matter Each passenger is allowed a maximum hold baggage weight of 50kgs including any sports equipment, subject to available space. The maximum weight for any single piece of baggage is 32kgs Where passenger’s total checked-in hold baggage weighs more than 32Kgs, normal excess baggage charges shall apply in addition to the sporting goods allowance fee
Emirates	Europe Economy Max 30kg of baggage Business Max 40kg of baggage First Max 50kg of baggage US Economy 2 bags, max 23kg each Business 2 bags, max 32kg each First 2 bags, max 32kg each	Europe Extra weight allowance can be purchased from £40 for up to 5kg. US £140 per bag (online) £175 per bag (airport)	N/A	One set of clubs and one pair of shoes	Free
Flybe	Europe Economy 2 bags, max 40kg total for a fee Economy Plus Max of 40kg free	Excess baggage is carried on a standby basis only £12 per kilo for the first 3 kilos £15 per kilo for between 4 and 6 kilos £20 for every kilo thereafter	20 kg	One bag per passenger containing max 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes	Free if weight is within purchased baggage allowance	Golf clubs may be pre-booked within 24 hours of making your flight booking through the Flybe Customer Call Centre In the event that pre-booked golf club numbers have already been reached then passenger’s golf clubs will be accepted on a stand by basis only and no pre-booking is required
Iberia	Europe Business 2 bags, max 23kg each Tourist 1 bag, max 23kg US Business Plus 3 bags, max 23kg each Full Tourist (Y) / Business 2 bags, max 23kg each Economy Tourist / Excursion fare 1 bag, max 23kg	Europe Business 3rd and subsequent bags £44 per bag (online) £53 per bag (airport) Tourist 2nd and subsequent bags : £44 per bag (online) £53 per bag (airport) US Business Plus Excess weight: Free 4thand subsequent bags: £84 (online) £100 (airport). Full Tourist (Y) / Business Excess weight: £44 3rdand subsequent bags: £84 (online) £100 (airport). Economy Tourist Excess weight: £44. 2nd bag: £35 (online) £44 (airport) 3rdand subsequent £84 (online) £100 (airport)	Golf bags count towards passenger’s checked-in bag allowance	One bag per passenger containing golf clubs and shoes	Free if within baggage allowance
KLM	US Economy 2 bags, max 23 kg each Business Class 2 bags, max 32 kg each Europe Economy Max 20 kg of baggage Business Class Max 30 kg of baggage Club members are entitled to one extra bag free	Excess baggage fee charged at the airport. Can be calculated and paid for online for 20% discount on the airport price.	N/A	One bag per passenger	Free
Monarch	All Destinations Max 20 kg of baggage	Europe £7.50 per kg (online) £10 per kg (airport/call centre) US £15 per kg	20 kg	Limited by baggage allowance only	£19.99 per golf bag per flight (pre-booked) £25 per golf bag per flight (airport)	Passenger’s can add sports equipment online whilst making a booking but will not be able to go back and add sports equipment online once the booking is complete. If passenger’s complete a booking and then need to add sports equipment, please call the reservations centre or pay at the airport
Qantas	Europe Economy Max 20kg of baggage Business Max 30kg of baggage First Max 40kg of baggage US 2 bags, max 32kg each	Europe From £116 for up to 5 kg US £70 per bag, max23kg per bag.	Golf bags count towards passenger’s checked in bag allowance	Limited by baggage allowance only	Free if within baggage allowance	Golf bags and collapsible buggies are carried as baggage and are exempt from normal linear dimension restrictions
Ryanair	All Destinations 2 bags, max 20kg each for a fee	All Destinations £20 per kg extra weight	20kg	Golf bags may be carried in addition to baggage allowance for a fee	£40 per item per flight (online) £50 per item per flight (airport or call centre)
United Airlines	Between Europe and US 1 bag, max 23kg free Max weight and number of bags allowed is dependent on club membership status	Between Europe and US 2nd extra bag: £43 Subsequent bags: £130 per bag	23kg per golf bag	One bag per passenger containing clubs and one pair of shoes	Free if in place of 1 checked bag	Must be enclosed in full-length protective cover (vinyl / cloth / nylon / or hard-sided case)
US Airways	Between Europe and US 1 bag, max 23kg free. Max weight and number of bags is dependent on club membership status	Between Europe and US 2nd extra bag: £43 Subsequent bags: £125 per extra bag	23kg	One bag per passenger containing no more than 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and 1 pair of golf shoes	Free if in place of 1 checked bag	A pull cart may be included if it is attached to a golf bag. Golf equipment should be enclosed with a cover to prevent loss of contents. Hard sided carriers are recommended
Virgin Atlantic	All Destinations Economy 1 bag, max 23kg Premium Economy 2 bags, max 23kg each Upper 3 bags, max 32kg each	All Destinations 1st extra bag: £32 (online) £40 (airport) 2nd extra and subsequent bags: £72 per bag (online) £90 per bag (airport) Overweight bags (23 - 32Kg): £30 per bag (airport only) Oversized bags (greater than 158cm l+h+w): £40 per bag	23kg	One bag per passenger containing max 14 clubs, 12 golf balls, an umbrella and one pair of golf shoes	Free in addition to baggage allowance	Golf bag dimensions max 90 x 75 x 43cm

Data based on travel between the UK and Europe or the US.
Fees converted to Sterling using exchange rate correct as of 31st October 2011.
A golf bag should be ‘standard size’ and the maximum weight for any single piece of hold baggage for all airlines is 32kg.
Research is compiled from information available on all airline website and is correct as of 27th October 2011.

APH makes every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of collection and publishing but it is provided without any kind of warranty. APH accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.

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Sarah Salord/Jessica Meins
McCluskey International
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