Delta Airlines Baggage Policy

[Toby]

Pls find below a chat copy from Andy:

After being frustrated with Hawaiian Airlines obvious unfair special treatment of golfers vs. Kiters, I decided to find a new airline that is friendly to our community of kiters. So here it is in Writing via a chat session with a Delta airlines representative. See attached document and feel free to print this out and have it on hand on your next Kiteboarding trip. Anybody want to trade some Hawaiian Airlines miles for Delta Airlines......

How Can We Help You?
Chris Ferns

Chat History
Chris Ferns has entered the session.
ANDY: I noticed you dont have anything written in your baggage policy about water skiis or wakeboards, what is your baggage policy on those items?
ANDY: Would it be the same as your snowboard and snow ski
policy/
Chris Ferns: Andy, yes that is correct.
Chris Ferns: you can bring your ski and snowboard equipment as checked baggage. One ski/pole bag or one snowboard bag, and one boot bag is accepted per person (and counts as one checked bag). The combined weight of the ski/snowboard bag and the boot bag may not exceed 50 lbs. (23 kg) or excess weight charges will apply. Linear dimensions may exceed 80 inches (203 cm), no excess size charges apply. All standard baggage charges apply.
ANDY: I would assume that Kiteboards are also considered like a wakeboard as well since they are basically the same construction?
ANDY: And size
Chris Ferns: Please click on the following link to check for detailed information: http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/ ... x.jsp#skis
ANDY: I did read that and it did not specifically mention the boards I was asking about so I thought I better ask a representative.
Chris Ferns: One moment please.
Chris Ferns: It will be counted as one piece of checked baggage.
Chris Ferns: The combined weight may not exceed 50lbs/23kg or overweight charges will apply.
Chris Ferns: The outside linear dimensions may exceed 80 inches for the ski/snowboard bag and no oversize baggage fees will apply.
Chris Ferns Thank you for choosing Delta and have a great day!
Chris Ferns has exited the session.
Thank you for contacting Delta Air Lines.
Chat Entry

[guthrie]

I think this is old information; current policy::

Current policies:
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/ ... items.html
We know that your baggage doesn't always fit neatly into a suitcase or regular-sized bag. That's why we accommodate baggage of all shapes and sizes. When you arrive at the airport baggage counter, we will determine if your item requires special care, and/or additional fees. Each special item counts as one bag.

You can bring most sports equipment with you on your trip, though extra baggage fees may apply to oversized or overweight items. If you don't see your item below, then normal baggage allowances, fees and handling policies apply.

Kiteboards
• 150 USD/CAD or 105 EUR* for travel to all regions (excluding Brazil)
• 100 USD for travel to/from Brazil
• Boards over 115 linear inches will not be accepted
• Kiteboards will not be accepted as part of the passenger's baggage allowance
• All kiteboard equipment is accepted up to 70 pounds at a flat rate
• Kiteboards are allowed up to two (2) boards perbag
• Kiteboards are not accepted on flights operated by Express Jet

[BigR]

I think they just lump all windsurfers, surfboards and kitesurfboards into the same shoe.

Now, when I travel with a twintip, I just take the fins and footstraps off and tell them it's a
kneeboard/ wakeboard/ boogieboard.

Come to think of it, my last flight out to the Gorge 2 weeks ago I did just that, no problems from Delta..
I did the same thing on
American last month to Cabarete with no problems either.

Kiteboards

150 USD/CAD or 105 EUR* for travel to all regions (excluding Brazil)
100 USD for travel to/from Brazil
Boards over 115 linear inches will not be accepted
Kiteboards will not be accepted as part of the passenger's baggage allowance
All kiteboard equipment is accepted up to 70 pounds at a flat rate
Kiteboards are allowed up to two (2) boards perbag
Kiteboards are not accepted on flights operated by Express Jet

*CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe.

Kneeboards/Wakeboards

All travel regions excluding Brazil: normal bag fees apply, see Baggage Fee Chart
Travel to/from Brazill: normal bag fees apply, see Baggage Fee Chart
Standard baggage policies apply, subject to size and weight restrictions and fees
Must be packaged in an appropriate kneeboard/wakeboard bag/case



Surfboards

150 USD/CAD or 105 EUR* for travel to all regions (excluding Brazil)
100 USD for travel to/from Brazil

*CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe.

Additional surfboard restrictions and exceptions are outlined below:

Delta Connection carrier surfboard acceptance and charges may vary. Contact Reservations for more information.
If the surfboard is not in a protective case, you must fill out a limited liability release before the surfboard will be accepted.
Surfboards are allowed up to two (2) boards per bag.
Bags over 70 lbs. will be charged the excess weight fee.
Between Honolulu and Maui, there is a 20 USD/CAD fee.
Boogie boards smaller than or equal to 43 inches (107 cm) will be accepted as part of the regular baggage allowance.
Surfboards over 115 linear inches are not allowed.

Windsurfing Boards

150 USD/CAD or 105 EUR* for travel to all regions (excluding Brazil)
75 USD for travel to/from Brazil

*CAD amount will be charged exit Canada, and EUR amount will be charged exit Europe.

Additional windsurfing equipment restriction and exceptions:

Windsurfing equipment exceeding 115 linear inches (292 cm) will not be accepted.
Windsurfing equipment over 70 lbs will be charged the excess weight fee.
Due to size limitations, windsurfing equipment will not be accepted on Delta Connection carriers or MD-80 aircraft.

[GregWoj]

I travel delta all the time with kite gear... never had one issue. Always smooth at check in. Never paid a dime (although I travel a lot for work and am platinum medallion so I think that removes any domestic or Caribbean bag fees). I use an over size golf bag for kite stuff... boards included. .. usually weighs around 50lbs. Never an Isue and they always smile .

[guthrie]

Wonderful - good to hear!
Traveling to Hawaii in Dec. and taking some "golf-equipment" in a bag.

[madmax7]

Leaving Maui last year, the A hole at desk looked at my NSI bag and charged me the $150!

He said that he knew all about Naishs deceptive golf bag and if I argued I could take another plane.

When I got home I called Delta and they said that the desk decides ! No refunds

I no longer fly Delta

[kilo]

http://www.dakine.com/p/bags/ski-bags/m ... rse-double

http://www.dakine.com/p/bags/snowboard- ... ?clr=BLACK

I always carry my "wakeboard" or "sporting goods" or "skis" in a dakine bag depending on my destination. It's not always a piece of cake as I've been scolded a few times for "abusing airline policy" but they can go f*** themselves. No one ever bats an eye with my snowboard\ski gear so I stick with what works. I don't know if the airlines have a right to search your belongings and clearly TSA doesn't give a shit.

[tautologies]

Funny how bad these guys still are at policies. They should really stop trying to make individual rules for different types of baggage.
Just have limits and then make it easy to understand. Even for the people at the desk.

I've had so many problems with Hawaiian it is not even funny. So far not much with Delta, but I suspect I've been lucky.

[mmeyers12]

Does anyone know if the airline check in counter has any right to actually open up and check what is inside your bags? I know TSA does, but does the airline?

[clint2070]

I always do curbside check in and tip the guy $10-20. Ive never had a problem. The last trip to maui i also did this and told my freinds to do it too but they didnt listen and they all got charged.