Taking a kiteboard with Etihad (Bag too big?)

[cbaird]

I am flying to Thailand with Etihad and am taking all my equipment with me (3 kites + board).

The weight won't be a problem but I am concerned about the size of my bag. It will be 150cm long and the maximum length permitted by Etihad is 90cm. I contacted them and they confirmed this, and basically said it would not be allowed.

However.. Etihad list kites etc. as accepted sporting equipment on this page http://www.etihad.com/en-us/before-you- ... nd-sports/ so it seems contradictory.

Do you think they will enforce this? Has anyone else had any problem taking a kiteboard, surfboard, windsurf board etc. with Etihad? Or any airline?

Also I hear a lot of kiters say that you should tell the airline it is Golf Equipment.. what are the reasons for this?

[Toby]

beginning of this year I canceled my flight with Air Berlin, on which site I booked DUS (Germany) to BKK. Costs me 340 Euro to cancel it!

But, I have a Air Berlin card where I can take 30 kg sports equipment for free...then I found out that the flight is done by Etihad...called them and they said I have to pay 30 Euro per kg for my kite gear!
Only special price for diving and golf!

Call their office and ask.

All I can say: Kiters avoid Etihad !!!!

Check Oman Air!!!

[Qman]

Hi. I've just flown London - Vietnam with Etihad so have kept a keen eye on your post. I decided not to take one bag because of the sizes mentoned and conflicting advise when I called them. I put my board in one bag and kites in another. The board bag was over the dimensions on the web site but I hoped they would not question it as it's thin.

I smiled politely at the check in and had no problems or additional charges.

Etihad were good, new plane, nice staff and 5 hours of Breaking Bad to pass the time.

Hopefully it'll be the same on my return journey. I'll let you know if not!

[Toby]

How many bags in total did you have and which weight?
No extra charge?

[Jose B]

If you don't want to carry these all luggage you can get all surfing equipment on rent on Thailand beach kite surfing shops. Their are many kite surfing school and shops who are providing rent services.

[Qman]

Regarding my post above. Myself and my girlfriend checked in 4 bags total London - Vietnam with Etihad:
Board bag
Kite bag
2 x clothes bags (inc pump / bar etc)

Weight would have been about 20 kg each person

No problems on the way back either and no charges.

My advise would be keep the bags small / light instead of 1 huge bag.

There was a guy with 1 huge, 32kg + luggage bag in front of us at check in (not a kiter). They wanted to charge him excess, which was fair enough.

Etihad were a great airline.