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Cost of travelling with Ski Equipment this winter

The research shown in the table below compares the ski baggage policies of 22 major airlines including baggage allowances, excess baggage fees, information on ski baggage weight limitations and the number of ski bags allowed per passenger.

Airline	Baggage Allowance	Excess Baggage Fees	Weight limit of Ski Bags	Number of Ski 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	Max 15kg per item	Europe 1 Pair of Skis, boots and poles per person. US Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	No Charge for Business Class Passengers Europe £26 per bag, per flight (online) £34 per bag, per flight (airport) US Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.
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	Max 23kg per item Skis and boards should be packed in ski/board bag. An item is defined as: Alpine skis: 1 pair of skis + 1 pair of poles + 1 pair of boots Snowboards: 1 board +1 pair of boots Water skis: skis only.	All Destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All Destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Ski equipment can be transported in the hold with prior confirmation by phone. 021 206 92 00 Monday to Friday, 09.00-17.00
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	Max 23kg per item	All Destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All Destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Ulisse, Freccia Alata and Freccia Alata Plus Clubs members may carry sport equipment at no extra charge on Alitalia flights
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	Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All destinations One pair of skis/snowboard and one bag containing a pair of ski /board boots only One pair of skis/snowboard up to 320cm inches and one boot bag not to exceed 114cm (length + width + height)	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Boot bag must not exceed 114cm (length + width + height) and must contain only boots/bindings. Boot bags that contain other articles will be subject to the excess baggage charge for a single piece. Lighters or torches for applying ski wax are considered dangerous goods and are not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage
BMI Baby	All Destinations Max 22kg of baggage for a fee	All Destinations £9 per kg (online/call centre) £12 per extra kg(airport)	Maximum weight of any one item of baggage is 32kg	All Destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All Destinations £17.99 per flight per item (online)	Outsize items requiring additional handling include canoes, surfboards, golf clubs, skis, bicycles, musical instruments and all other bulky equipment, will only be carried subject to space availability on the aircraft.
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	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance. Each bag that exceeds your free checked baggage allowance will incur an extra bag fee.	All Destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All Destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Skis and snowboards must be packed in a recognised ski or snowboard bag If you are travelling with skis and ski boots you should pack them in one of the following ways: pack your skis and ski boots separately pack your ski boots within your checked baggage
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	Max 20kg	All destinations One pair of skis/poles/boots or snowboard and boots	All destinations Business Free if within baggage allowance. £30 fixed fee, per item, per flight if in excess of baggage allowance Economy £30 per item per flight for items up to 20kg If the item is over 20kg but under 32kg then an additional £30 per item, per flight will apply (bmi operated routes only)	If you are travelling in Business or Flexible Economy you can take a piece of sporting equipment or other exceptional item of baggage as part of your baggage allowance as long as it is within your total allowance. A free winter sports allowance is available for travel between London Heathrow to Basel. In addition to the normal baggage allowance customers are permitted to take either: A) One pair of ski boots, one pair ski poles, one pair of skis B) One snowboard, one pair of snowboard boots. Infants under 2 years of age are not eligible for the winter sports equipment allowance.
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	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance.	All destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.
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	Max 23kg	All destinations 1 item of ski equipment per customer An item of ski equipment consists of: 1 Snowboard Up to 2 pairs of snow skis and associated equipment in 1 bag and 1 ski boot bag.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Ski equipment must be securely encased in a suitable container. (Note: If ski boot bag contains other items in addition to or in place of boots, it will be subject to applicable baggage fees or excess baggage fees.)
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)	Max 22.6kg (combined weight of the ski/snowboard bag and the boot bag)	All destinations One ski/pole bag or one snowboard bag, and one boot bag is accepted per person.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance	Dimensions may exceed 203 cm (l+w+h), no excess size charges apply.
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	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance: 20kg baggage allowance + 12kg sporting goods allowance.	All destinations One bag per 12 kg weight allowance purchased	All destinations 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)	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance.	All destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.
Flybe	Europe Economy 2 bags, max 40kg total for a fee Economy Plus Max of 40kg free	All destinations 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	Max 30kg	All destinations Charged per item. All Sports equipment is carried subject to hold space and weight available.	All destinations £30 per item, per flight.	Snowboards are carried on a standby basis only. Skis may be pre-booked within 24 hours of making your flight booking through the call centre: 0871 700 2000 There is a limit on the amount of skis that can be carried. This is dependant upon the In the event that our ski or golf club numbers have already been reached on your flights you may cancel your booking with no penalty within 24 hours of the booking being made.
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)	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance. All sizes accepted provided they are suitably packed.	All destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Skis and snowboards must be packed in a recognised ski or snowboard bag If you are travelling with skis and ski boots you should pack them in one of the following ways: pack your skis and ski boots separately pack your ski boots within your checked baggage
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.	Max 23kg per set of ski equipment	All destinations One set of equipment. A set of ski or snowboard equipment may consist of a board or pair of skis, two ski poles and a pair of ski boots.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Always make a reservation for your special baggage at least 48 hours before departure, and ensure your reservation is confirmed.
Monarch	All Destinations Max 20 kg of baggage	Europe £7.50 per kg (online) £10 per kg (airport/call centre) US £15 per kg	Max 13kg per item	All destinations Charged per item. All Sports equipment is carried subject to hold space and weight available.	All destinations £19,99 per item, per flight (online) £25,00 per item, per flight (airport)	You can add sports equipment online whilst making a booking but you will not be able to go back and add sports equipment online once the booking is complete. If you 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.	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance.	All destinations No more than one pair of skis, one pair of stocks/poles and one pair of ski boots is permitted per passenger.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance, normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	Snow skis and snowboards must be protected in a ski bag.
Ryanair	All Destinations 2 bags, max 20kg each for a fee	All Destinations £20 per kg extra weight	Max 20kg per item	All destinations Ski bags count towards your baggage allowance.	All destinations £40 per item, per flight (online) £50 per item, per flight
SwissAir	Economy 1 bag, max 20kg Business 2 bags, max 32kg per bag First 3 bags, max 32kg per bag	US Economy: £43 for 1 extra bag, max 23kg Business/First: Up to 23kg: £129 per extra bag 23-32kg: £258 per extra bag Europe Economy/Business/ First: Up to 23kg: £60 per extra bag 23-32kg: £86 per extra bag	Max 23kg	All destinations Skiing: One pair of skis, one pair of ski poles and one pair of boots Snowboarding: One snowboard and one pair of snowboard boots	All destinations Free in addition to checked baggage.
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	Max 23kg per item of ski equipment.	All destinations 1 item of ski equipment per passenger. An item is defined as 1 Snowboard or Up to 2 pairs of snow skis and associated equipment in 1 bag and 1 ski boot bag	All destinations One item of ski equipment counts as part of your baggage allowance. An excess fee of £130 will apply to additional sets of ski equipment.	If more than one set of ski equipment is checked, each additional set of equipment (as outlined above) will be counted as one special item, and the associated fee(s) will apply. (Note: If ski boot bag contains other items in addition to or in place of boots, it will be subject to applicable baggage fees or excess baggage fees.)
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	Maximum weight according to baggage allowance.	All destinations Up to 2 items of ski equipment. 1 item of ski equipment is defined as: 1 pair of skis or 1 snowboard, 1 pair of ski boots, 1 pair of ski poles and 1 pair of ski bindings.	All destinations Skis are part of baggage allowance; normal excess baggage rates apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance.	The passenger must provide acceptable encasement/packaging for the ski equipment, such as fiberglass or cloth bag to protect the ski equipment and to prevent damage to other bags. (US Airways may provide plastic ski bags if available). If the ski equipment is not properly packaged/protected, the customer assumes all risk of damage.
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	Max 23kg	All destinations Skiing: One pair of skis. Ski boots Poles A mask or helmet. Snowboarding: One snowboard Boots and bindings One helmet	All destinations Free in addition to checked baggage.

Ski Equipment Delivery Service Costs

Company	Ski bag containing boots	Snowboard bag containing boots
Skis2You	£34.95	£34.95
Piste of mind	£44 one way	£44 one way
Ski Carriage	£119.00 per trip	£159.00 per trip

Data based on travel between the UK and Europe or the US.
Fees converted to Sterling using exchange rate correct as of 21st November 2011.
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 21st November 2011.
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.

Media Enquiries

Sarah Salord/Jessica Meins
McCluskey International
020 8237 7979
aph@mccluskey.co.uk