How Much Does Sports Baggage Cost? Understanding Small and Large Sports Equipment
When I planned my trip to Tenerife, I made sure to bring my kitesurfing board, kite, and all the essential gear. This meant I needed to purchase the special sports baggage option in addition to my standard luggage.
Booking your flight ticket invariably involves adding sports baggage if you're bringing specialised equipment.
A crucial step is to correctly indicate whether you're transporting 'small sports baggage' or 'large sports baggage'.
Naturally, I delved into understanding the precise distinction between small and large sports baggage categories.
During one call to the airline's information line, I was advised that a kitesurfing board would be classified as small sports baggage.
However, when I called on a different day, I received conflicting information: my kitesurfing board was now considered large sports baggage.
What caused this confusion? It appeared that some customer service representatives weren't fully aware of what a kitesurfing board looks like, often confusing it with a significantly larger and heavier windsurfing board.
For context, items like snowboards, which are comparable in size to a kitesurfing board, typically fall under the small sports baggage category.
To avoid any issues at the airport, I decided to purchase the more expensive "large sports baggage" option.
As luck would have it, upon check-in, my 'large sports baggage' turned out to perfectly fit the dimensions of 'small sports baggage'. Sometimes, things just work out that way!
Airlines allow the transport of various other types of sports equipment, though this always incurs an additional fee on top of the base ticket price, charged according to their specific rates. Below are some examples of items generally considered sports baggage:
• Skis, snowboards, surfing equipment, golf bags (in a protective cover).
• Jumping poles must be transported exclusively in fabric bags.
• Bicycles require packing in a travel case (wheels and pedals must be removed, handlebars positioned parallel to the frame). Alternatively, a bicycle can be transported in a cardboard box. Tires must be deflated, and no other items may be stored within the bicycle baggage.
• Diving equipment – the cylinder must be completely empty, and any power sources should be removed or switches secured in the OFF position.
• Antlers and hunting trophies necessitate a valid veterinary certificate for transport.
Proper packing is paramount when transporting any sports equipment. For instance, I carried my kitesurfing board in a dedicated protective cover. All other sports gear should be similarly well-protected.
Examples of Small Sports Baggage (up to 20 kg/item):
- Golf equipment (e.g., clubs, golf shoes)
- Skis (including boots and poles)
- Snowboard
- Sporting firearms
- Diving equipment (note: gas or air cylinders are strictly prohibited)
- Sports wheelchair (if it constitutes one of the two pieces of mobility equipment allowed per passenger)
Examples of Large Sports Baggage (up to 32 kg/item, with the exception of bicycles):
- Bicycle (specific rules apply for bicycle transport)
- Kayak
- Windsurfing board
- Hang glider
Please note that all the information provided here is based on my personal research and experience. For the most up-to-date and accurate regulations, I strongly advise contacting your airline's customer service line directly, as policies can and do change over time.