News | Know Before You Go | Airlines charges for ski baggage
Airlines charges for ski baggage
With a great start to the ski season and airlines adding more flights to ski destinations, it is worth while considering the hidden costs of excess baggage charges for oversized luggage if taking your own ski equipment. We've compiled data from 16 leading airlines flying from the UK, so skiers and snowboards can see these charges at a glance in the comparison table below.
| Airline | Ski equipment allowance | Equipment allowed per person | Baggage weight limit per item | Excess Baggage costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air France/KLM | Included in the baggage allowance on certain flights | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag. | 20kg | More than 23kg but less than 32kg there is a flat fee of €40 (approx £28) |
| Alitalia | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles / snowboard and one boot bag | 20kg | Charges of up to €75 (approx £50) can be incurred, depending on weight and destination |
| American Airlines | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles / snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg | Local excess fees apply |
| BMI | No, there is a £15 charge for equipment if passenger is travelling in economy. | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 20kg | If equipment is over 20kg there will be an additional charge of £15 |
| British Airways | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg | From November 2008, there will be a flat rate of £25 for baggage weighting over 23kg |
| Continental | Yes, one item of ski equipment per customer as checked baggage. If applicable, the second bag fee £15 applies. | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg (per bag, two per person) | Ski equipment over 23kg will cost £18 |
| Delta | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 22.5kg | Excess charge of $50 (approx £25) |
| Easyjet | No, there is an additional £16.50 (pre-paid) or £23 (paid at airport) for ski equipment each way. | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | Passengers can pay for up to 50kg, however each piece cannot be in excess of 32kg | Excess baggage charged at £5 a kilo |
| Emirates | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 20kg | 3kg excess given free with ski equipment. Over 23kg will be charged at local rate. |
| Flybe | No, must be booked in advance there is a charge of £20 each way | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg | Local excess fees apply |
| Iberia | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 20kg | Local excess fees apply |
| Lufthansa Group | No, charge €40 for up to 15kg | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg | Excess ski equipment is charged 33% of excess baggage fee |
| Ryanair | No, £15.50 (online) or £20.50 (airport) on top | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 15kg | If over 32kg excess is charged at local rate |
| SAS Group | Included in the baggage allowance | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one bootbag | 20kg | Ski equipment excess baggage charge of 3kg applies |
| United | Yes, however one set of equipment allowed in lieu of one piece of baggage | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg (per bag, two per person) | Local excess fees apply |
| US Airways | Yes, however one set of equipment allowed in lieu of one piece of baggage | One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag | 23kg (per bag, two per person) | Local excess fees apply |
Note: One pair of skis & poles/ snowboard and one boot bag for all airlines.
Key findings
- BMI, Easyjet, Lufthansa and Ryanair exclude ski kit from the baggage allowance.
- Easyjet charge the most for equipment at £23 if you pay at the airport or £15 if you travel with BMI.
- Baggage allowances vary from carrier to carrier with 15kg on Easyjet and Ryanair increasing to 23kg per bag for up to two bags per person on Continental Airlines.
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.
Press information
For further press information contact Sarah Falkingham or Katherine Regan at gosh pr on 020 7430 7910 or email sarah@goshpr.co.uk.
