Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anyone has any experience flying with Iberia airlines, and knows what exactly there policy is on board bags.

I am studying abroad in Bilbao next semester and would like to bring my kite stuff, surf board and skis with me. . . however, on Iberia's website they say they charge $205 per board per flight!! Due to my tight schedule Iberia looks like my only option. . . However, if they are gonna charge per flight then I will just fly to Madrid and take the train from there to Bilbao.

Thanks!

with Iberia don't count on your bags to arrive on time. Maybe it got better, but I know the stories from 2007 during the worldcups to Fuerteventura...sounds like the airport at Madrid is the problem and can't handle it...

any backups for this? any experience?

Hi!
I flew with Iberia in summer 2009 from Moscow to Sao Paolo and paid 150 Euro for one way to Sao Paolo. On my way home from Sao Paolo I didn't pay. The charge is per flight but not for each segment of it. So if you have connected flight with Iberia you will pay only once.
Where will you fly to Bilbao from?
Kiteregards,
Vlad.

Hi, correct the surchage is per traject. I've flew very often through Madrid airport, and this is probably one of the European airport with the highest probability to loose your luggages-equipment, so if you can avoid it and fly directly to-from Bilbao, it would be far better.
Dominique (www.paracuruparadise.com)

Thank you guys so much! Good to hear that they only charge once for all flights with Iberia.

One more question: Do they charge per board? Or do they even check? Because I will have my surfboard and kiteboard.

Flying from the States I don't think I have much option but to fly through Madrid to get to Bilbao. But, I will be there for 5 months, so my bag arriving a few days late is not the end of the world.

Thanks again!

They charge per bag.
But you have other option. Check lufthansa.com. - 12 hour flight in total.
New-York - Munich - Bilbao. It is around 400 USd on sale now.
Lufthansa doesn't charge per short kiteboards, they do it only for overweight.
Also Lufthansa is much better than Iberia, more relyable.
Kiteregards,
Vlad.