How to transport ski equipment on an airplane. Taking skis on a plane: simple airline rules to avoid when transporting ski equipment
Many airlines carry skis and snowboards absolutely free of charge. You just need to pack everything well in a special case and bring it to the baggage check-in. We tell you about the rules for transporting ski equipment. Go!
Fans of skiing and snowboarding will not let you lie: skiing in your favorite boots and once liked skis and boards is a real pleasure. Of course, you can rent everything you need for skiing, but then you rely on chance: the choice of boots, skis and boards in your size may not be very large, and you will have to ride what they give you.
Yes, one day you will have to spend time and money to choose and buy what is right for you. But then you will ride with pleasure. Let's see which airlines are friendly to skiers and snowboarders.
Life hack: you can put not only a pair of skis with sticks or a board in the case, but also quite a lot of things. This is especially useful when flying with airlines that charge baggage fees. For example, Sibir has rates where you can fly with a ten-kilogram carry-on bag and at the same time take skis or a board with you. Or at the Pobeda airline, which charges for absolutely everything, you can pay only for the transportation of ski equipment and put all the things you need in a bag and not pay separately for baggage. Moreover, the denser you stuff the contents, the more valuable the most valuable thing will be - skis or a board.
Free transport of ski equipment
Aeroflot
If you are going to go skiing and snowboarding - in our country or in the near abroad - most likely you can fly there with Aeroflot flights. During the winter season (from November 1, 2017 to May 15, 2018) ski and snowboard equipment is transported free of charge. In addition to the main luggage, each passenger can bring two more cases to check-in: one with a pair of skis or a snowboard and the second with boots. If you are flying Economy Class, the total weight must not exceed 23 kilograms.
Aeroflot is also friendly to those who wish to transport water skis, bicycles, hockey equipment, golf clubs, fishing tackle, diving and surfing equipment. However, the rules of transportation and payment may differ, learn about them before the trip.
"Russia"
On regular flights of Rossiya, the rules for carrying hand luggage, luggage and ski equipment are fully consistent with the "parent" company - Aeroflot. But on charters, the conditions may differ, you can find out about them from the tour operator, which is the consolidator of the flight.
Where Rossiya flies: the main airports are Pulkovo in St. Petersburg and Vnukovo in Moscow. It is from them that most flights to other cities of Russia are operated.
S7 Airlines (Siberia)
With any ticket for S7 flights (regardless of whether you have paid baggage allowance or not), passengers can take a set of skis or a snowboard with boots. The weight of equipment in economy class must not exceed 23 kilograms.
Where S7 Airlines flies: this airline has a lot of destinations convenient for skiers both in Russia and abroad.
Georgian Airways
If you want to go skiing and boarding in Bakuriani or Gudauri, you might like Georgian Airways flights. For passengers from Russia and Ukraine, ski and snowboard equipment is transported free of charge.
Where Georgian Airways flies: flights to Georgia are operated from Moscow, Kazan and St. Petersburg.
Air Astana
If you decide to go skiing or boarding in the Alma-Ata area - for example, in the Chimbulak or Ak-Bulak resorts, then you may be interested in Air Astana flights. Transportation of ski equipment is included in the ticket price, the total weight must not exceed the baggage allowance of your fare. Under the same conditions, you can check in equipment for tennis, squash, badminton, fishing, horse riding, roller skating, archery, surfing and kite surfing. A separate fare exists for canoes, bicycles, golf clubs and diving equipment.
Where Air Astana flies: flights to Kazakhstan are operated from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, Irkutsk, Magadan, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, St. Petersburg, Ulan-Ude, Khabarovsk and several other Russian cities.
Armenia
In Armenia there is one, but a very decent ski resort Tsaghkadzor. If you want to fly with Armenia Airlines, the transportation of ski or snowboard equipment must be agreed with the airline when buying a ticket. Transportation of inventory will not require additional payment if the total weight together with the rest of the luggage does not exceed the rate specified in the fare. The same goes for transporting golf clubs.
Where Armenia flies: flights to the cities of Armenia are operated from rather "rare" Russian airports - Voronezh and Mineralnye Vody.
Payment for the transport of ski equipment depends on the tariff
Utair
All year round, ticket holders of all tickets, except for the cheapest Light fare, can transport sports equipment: in principle, it does not include free baggage allowance and only allows flights with hand luggage. In economy class, the weight of ski equipment is limited to 23 kilograms.
Where Utair flies: the airline has an extensive route network in Russia and abroad.
"Ural Airlines"
At any time of the year, free transportation of sports equipment is allowed for all tariffs, except for Promo. The weight must not exceed 23 kilograms if you are flying in economy class.
Where Ural Airlines fly: as the name suggests, this airline has many interesting destinations for skiers in the Urals, but not only. For example, an airline flies from Moscow to Sochi.
Paid transportation of ski equipment
"Victory"
Pobeda Airlines charges an additional fee for the transportation of everything: hand luggage, luggage, and, of course, ski equipment. The weight of one bag with skis or snowboard and other related equipment must not exceed 20 kilograms. If you pay for the transportation of ski equipment when buying a ticket on the airline's website or through a call center, then the price will be 1499 rubles. If you have not done this in advance, then you will be asked to pay for this piece of baggage at the airport: in Russia it will cost four thousand rubles, abroad - 55 euros.
Where Pobeda flies: in addition to flights to Sochi, there are many destinations in the Urals - Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Perm, Novosibirsk and others. As well as Gyumri, Tbilisi and Alma-Ata in the "ski" countries of the CIS.
Many fans of winter sports are interested in how to transport a snowboard on an airplane? How much could it cost? How to save money on a flight and what conditions do popular Russian air carriers offer for snowboarders? We will talk about all this in this article.
Special conditions for transporting a snowboard on an airplane
It is worth noting that the popularity of this sport has significantly influenced the policies of many airlines. The fact is that usually transporting a snowboard on an airplane is a very expensive service. Boards are classified as oversized baggage and a considerable check is issued for their transportation (on average, this is 20-50 euros per set for foreign airlines). If the carrier does not provide special conditions, the weight of the snowboard is taken into account in the total weight of baggage allowed for free transportation, which is 20 kg. in economy class.For each kilogram of overweight, be prepared to pay at least 11 euros for foreign airlines and 300 rubles for domestic ones. But a number of large companies in the winter, especially for fans of extreme sports, offer special conditions that provide for the transport of a snowboard on an airplane absolutely free of charge. And we are talking not only about the board itself, but rather about a full-fledged set of equipment in a case, in which you can compactly fold the necessary equipment, clothes, and fairly heavy boots with bindings. Whether there are special conditions for the transportation of such oversized items in a particular company, you should check by phone with the representatives of the air carrier or on the company's website.
How to transport snowboard equipment
The board itself is strong enough, so you can transport it without any cover, but it is certainly more convenient and still calmer to do it with it. Before you pack your snowboard for an airplane, find out how much the bag itself weighs. Models with a rigid reinforced frame can weigh up to 6 kg, while the allowed weight of a ski kit for air transportation is usually no more than 20 kg (it differs for different airlines). Keep this in mind so that you do not have to pay extra for overweight at the airport. We recommend that you keep an eye on your weight and do not go beyond the allowed norms; recently everything is very strict at airports.
Some universal tips for the correct packaging of the case:
- do not place objects near the board that can scratch it;
- it is better to have a separate protective cover for the mask;
- to additionally protect the snowboard from possible impacts during transportation, it can be overlaid with a layer of clothing;
- it is advisable to write your contact details on the case so that you can quickly identify it or, in case of loss (and such cases happen), quickly find it;
- do not overload the case: the handles and fasteners are designed for a certain allowable weight recommended by the manufacturer. And besides, the advantage is fraught with additional financial costs.
Rules for handing over the ski bag
We wrote above how to carry a snowboard on an airplane, now we’ll tell you how much it will cost. The price depends on the particular airline. The ski kit is classified as oversized baggage, so it must be checked in and accepted after the flight in a separate place for oversized baggage (as a rule, such baggage is transported to the freight elevator). If you are flying to rare destinations, then you should notify the carrier company in advance that you plan to transport a snowboard (preferably at the stage of booking a ticket). Otherwise, you may not be allowed to take oversized cargo on board.
Carriers do not impose requirements on the length of the cover itself. In general, you can transport a snowboard on an airplane without a cover, we know many cases when the boards flew safely without any cover. But in this case, you need to remove the fasteners.
When flying with transfers, when the tickets are for different airlines, there is one important nuance. At the transfer point, the permissible norms and rules for transporting equipment may be different and you can get a surcharge.
How to deal with overweight
The loyalty of airlines to passengers with snowboard covers allows you to travel with your own equipment as cheaply as possible. But the weight of the covers is always strictly regulated: you can carry luggage weighing up to 20 kg for free, you will have to pay extra for anything heavier. Experienced snowboarders who often carry their snowboard on planes have figured out how to get around this ban a little. The fact is that initially the case is weighed, and then the passenger himself carries it to the freight elevator. Along the way, you can discreetly complete your bag (no one will reweigh it). You can also transfer something from an overloaded bag to hand luggage or main luggage (if possible). Or wear snowboard boots on yourself =)Basic airline conditions for the transport of sports equipment
Here we list the most popular airlines and their stated requirements for carrying ski equipment:
S7 transportation of a snowboard: in addition to the main baggage, free transportation of a snowboard and equipment (helmet, boots, clothes, goggles and other accessories) in a bag with a total weight of up to 20 kg is allowed; group booking of tickets is allowed, in which several snowboards can be transported in one bag (no more than the number of people in the group);
Aeroflot snowboard transportation: free of charge 1 bag with 1 snowboard, 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots; Aeroflot allows you to carry a snowboard on an airplane free of charge in a bag with a total weight of up to 23 kg;
Utayer: two pieces of cargo are provided free of charge for a snowboard and related equipment, with a total weight of up to 20 kg;
Transaero: free of charge with the main luggage one snowboard and a bag with additional accessories (up to 10 kg).
Answers to questions about how to carry a snowboard on a plane of a particular carrier should be coordinated immediately before buying a ticket, since the stated requirements may differ depending on the season and direction of the flight, availability of special offers and auction conditions.
The best vacation for a skier is a ski vacation. The best weekend is the ski marathon. But the question arises of transporting skis. Of course, it is convenient to get there by private car, but there is a limit to the comfortable distance. For example, do not drive around by car. Even by train it will take a very long time. Airplane is the best transport to have a great ski weekend at any distance from home.
In the article we will tell you how to carry skis on an airplane, the rules for transporting skis on an airplane and how to carry skis for free.
How to transport skis on an airplane?
When transported by plane, it is not enough to pack the skis in a bag. Bind your skis with special bindings so they don't rub against each other. Then fasten the sticks with skis and wrap it all with pimply film, put in a case and wrap the cover itself in a film for luggage. Yes, it’s a chore, but believe me, it’s better than suing the airline for broken equipment later.
Olympic medalist in Turin Ivan Alypov broke ski poles while loading luggage. Despite the fact that they were packed in a special tube, Ivan did not have much experience in skiing. So play it safe, lay and roll everything you can. Some skiers recommend stuffing clothes into the bag so that both the luggage is free and the skis are good.
It is always necessary, regardless of the airline, warn the carrier about the upcoming transportation of skis! Need to do it at least 48 hours before departure, Better yet, when buying a ticket. At the same time, check if the rules of transportation and the features of checking in such baggage have changed.
The standard set is: case with 1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles + 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots. Almost always, airlines do not control the number of skis in a bag, so you can carry 2 pairs in one bag. Restrictions on the sum of dimensions have been canceled by many or increased from 203 to 350 cm. By weight, usually up to 23 kg., But in general there are restrictions from 10 to 32 kg.
Free ski transportation: list of airlines
Most airlines take care of their customers and provide free ski transportation on the plane. The exception is low-cost airlines, that is, airlines with cheap tickets, but without luggage included. For example, "Victory". Low-cost airlines always charge for luggage.
So, the list of major airlines carrying skis for free:
Aeroflot
For free carry skis November to March. From April to October, transportation of skis will cost 2500 rubles. on flights within Russia and 50 euros on international flights.
S7 Airlines
Free transport of skis all year round, except for Economy Basic rates.
Case with 1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles + 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots. There are no restrictions on the dimensions of skis, only on weight - 23 kg.
Utair
Case with 1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles + 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots. There are no restrictions on the dimensions of skis, only on weight - 23 kg.
At the same time, this free baggage allowance in excess of the established allowance does not apply to related equipment (sticks, boots, helmet) transported without skis / snowboards.
Ural Airlines
Transportation of sports equipment free all year round, except for Promo tariffs.
Case with 1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles + 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots. There are no restrictions on the dimensions of skis, only on weight - 23 kg.
Nordwind
Case with 1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles + 1 piece of luggage with 1 pair of boots. There are no restrictions on the dimensions of skis, only on weight - 20 kg.
VIM airlines
Free ski transport on all fares. Case with 1 set of equipment (1 pair of skis and 1 pair of poles) in a case with a total weight of not more than 10 kg. Additional equipment (boots, gloves, glasses) in a case with a total weight of not more than 6 kg.
Lufthansa
Free transport of cross-country skis: 1 pair of skis + 1 pair of poles + 1 pair of ski boots. Weight up to 23 kg. In addition to the Light tariff.
Air France
Free transport of cross-country skis: 1 pair of skis + 1 pair of poles + 1 pair of ski boots. Weight up to 23 kg. In addition to Light and Basic tariffs.
Skis and snowboards must be transported in special cases, the length of which should not exceed 300 cm. Ski shoes can be transported in a separate bag. These 2 pieces of baggage (ski/snowboard bag and shoe bag) count as one piece of checked baggage. Their carriage is included in your free baggage allowance.
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When planning a winter holiday on the mountain slopes, it is worthwhile to find out in advance what conditions and prices for the transportation of skis, snowboards and sports equipment are offered by air carriers. Almost all companies allow you to transport ski equipment in the luggage compartment. Restrictions may only apply to routes served by aircraft with insufficient unusual cargo capacity. Conditions and cost depend mainly on the airlines used - traditional or budget.
Special conditions for transporting a snowboard on an airplane
Snowboards are considered excess baggage in relation to the permitted cargo, which is subject to the rules of additional payment for overweight, excess dimensions or the use of additional baggage. According to these rules, charged up to 50 EUR in excess of the ticket price for foreign flights and 2000-3000 rubles. on domestic flights.
But many air carriers apply special conditions for the transport of ski equipment, allowing you to take a snowboard on board the aircraft for free. It is not considered an additional piece of baggage, the dimensions are not always limited, but the weight allowed for transportation in this way is often limited. So when packing a snowboard and equipment in a bag, you need to monitor the total weight.
Important! Information about special conditions can be obtained from the contact centers of the airlines.
How to transport ski equipment
In order to properly pack a snowboard in luggage, to prevent damage during transportation, it is necessary to place it in a bag in compliance with the general rules:
- Do not allow the location of objects with sharp corners in close proximity to the board in order to avoid scratches and chips;
- It is possible to lay clothing for additional protection of the bindings;
- For the mask, it is necessary to provide a separate package;
- Don't put too many things in your snowboard bag. The handles for carrying it may not withstand a lot of weight, which will also cause an extra charge for extra pounds;
- It is recommended to leave contact information on the cover. This will help to quickly locate the cargo in case of loss.
Rules for handing over a bag with skis
Skis on an airplane are oversized cargo, which is subject to special delivery and collection rules. It is necessary to hand over the packed ski equipment for loading onto an airliner at a special rack for oversized cargo. There are also separate places for collecting ski bags at the airport of arrival. Sometimes they are unloaded next to the conveyor belt.
A snowboard on an airplane does not have to be carried in a bag. Modern boards are made of durable materials and will not be damaged even during open transportation. This is allowed by the rules. But the bindings from the snowboard must be removed.
When the flight is not to the generally accepted ski destinations, it is better to call the Contact Center in advance and find out the possibility and conditions for transporting a specific cargo. Some airlines refuse to transport ski equipment.
Important! If the flight is performed with a transfer when connecting flights of different air carriers, you should be aware of possible differences in the rules for transporting alpine skis at different stages of the flight. It is better to find out about this in advance in order to avoid material losses.
Can I put clothes and other things in a ski bag?
When transporting skis on an airplane, airlines do not allow other personal items to be packed in one bag. But the official ban can be bypassed, since no one is checking. However, reasonable limits must be observed so that the weight of the cover fits within the norm.
How to eliminate overweight
If possible, excess items and items are packed in checked baggage and hand luggage. Heavy boots are sometimes put on. Flying skiers have come up with a way to put everything you need in a bag and avoid paying extra for overweight. The package with ski equipment is weighed only once at check-in, and then the passenger takes it to the counter for oversized cargo. At this point, you can put the necessary things in the case, because there is no re-weighing.
Airlines Offering Free Transportation of Skis and Snowboards
| Air carrier | Terms |
| Czech Airlines (except Lite fare) | Weight limit - 23 kg, dimensions (total length, width and height) - 158 cm. One snowboard (a pair of skis) and one set of equipment are allowed for transportation |
| Aeroflot | Weight limit - 23 kg. Dimensions are not limited. Ski bag and 1 boot bag |
| S7 (except Economy Basic tariff) | Weight limit - 23 kg. Unlimited dimensions. Skis and equipment in a common case |
| Alitalia | One set instead of one piece of checked baggage. Weight limit - 23 kg. Any dimensions |
| Lufthansa (except Light fare and flights to USA, Mexico, Central America) | Weight limit - 32 kg, size limit - 158 cm. One set is allowed |
| Swiss (except Light fare) | Weight limited to 23 kg. Maximum dimensions - 158 cm. One snowboard (pair of skis) and one set of equipment. Boots can be packed in a separate bag |
| Austrian Airlines (except Light fare and flights to the US and Canada) | Maximum weight - 32 kg, dimensions - 158 cm. One snowboard (pair of skis) and one set of equipment are allowed |
| Air France (except for Economy Mini and Basic fares) | Weight limit - 23 kg. The length of the bag with skis is not more than 300 cm. Permission to transport one snowboard (pair of skis) and one set of equipment |
| KLM | Choice of ski transportation only instead of checked baggage. Skis and equipment are packed in a common bag with a weight limit of 23 kg and a maximum length of 300 cm. Additional baggage is subject to payment |
| LOT | Weight restrictions - 23 kg, dimensions - 158 cm. One snowboard (a pair of skis) with a set of equipment |
| Ural Airlines (except Promo fare) | Weight limit - 23 kg, dimensions - 203 cm. You can carry one snowboard with equipment |
| Utair (except for Light tariff) | Maximum weight - 23 kg, dimensions are not limited. One snowboard (pair of skis) with equipment |
Airlines to avoid when transporting ski equipment
| Air carrier | Terms |
| Airbaltic | Supplement for additional baggage one way: EUR 34.99 (purchase on the website), EUR 40 (ticket office), EUR 60 (payment at the airport). Weight is limited to 20 kg, dimensions are not limited. One pair of skis (snowboard) must be placed in one bag with equipment. Otherwise, there is an additional charge for one more piece of baggage. It is necessary to inform the airline about sports cargo in advance, as the number of available seats is limited |
| Finnair | If free baggage is included in the fare (mark 1pc), then you can take a snowboard instead. If you need to carry another suitcase, then an additional item is paid: 15-30 EUR (European destinations), 60-75 EUR (intercontinental flights). Weight limit - 20 kg, maximum dimensions - 220 cm |
| Turkish Airlines | Despite the company's claims of free transportation of sports equipment, there is a complex system of fees for additional items. You can pay up to 90 EUR and more. For specific information, it is recommended to contact the Contact Center of the company. Dimensions are not limited, maximum weight - 32 kg |
| Brussels Airlines (free, except for Check&Go fares and flights to the US and Canada) | Weight restrictions - 12 kg, dimensions - 158 cm. It is impossible to meet the norms, so you will have to pay extra for exceeding them |
| Victory | Supplement for the transport of ski equipment: 1499 rubles. (payment when booking on the website), 4000 - at the airport (Russian directions), 55 EUR (foreign directions). Weight restrictions - 20 kg |
How to quickly buy a ticket with free transportation of sports equipment
When buying tickets on some sites, for example, aviasales, filters are applied to search for air tickets. First, the direction of flight is selected, and after the list of issued flight options, the “Winter inventory” filter is activated, which can be indicated by a snowflake. As a result of its application, flight options with free transportation of ski equipment remain.
When searching, you can use the filter "Winter inventory"
When transporting ski equipment, all the nuances must be taken into account. A cheap ticket can be booked quickly, but with additional fees, the flight will be more expensive than buying a ticket at rates with luggage included. So that the tourist mood is not spoiled immediately, it is important to carefully analyze the conditions for transporting skis in various airlines.
Watch a video on how to travel with a snowboard
To go to ski resorts, many snowboarders have to overcome air travel. In winter, at every turn you come across people carrying snowboards at airports. How to transport a snowboard on an airplane, how much it costs and how to save on transporting your board, we will find out in this article.
Paid or free
Since ski tourism is the basis of the winter economy of a number of countries, many self-respecting airlines have agreed to accept one set of ski equipment per passenger for free transportation during the ski season (you should ask the representative of the airline you are flying for specific dates in advance).
The set of ski equipment means:
- One set of skis and poles + ski boots;
- One snowboard + snowboard boots.
By this, airlines attract an additional flow of passengers, and lovers of winter holidays can save a lot.
However, it is worthwhile to find out whether your equipment will be accepted for free transportation in advance. Some low-cost airlines, despite the general trend, charge a lot of money for the transportation of a snowboard. The fact is that if we consider snowboard equipment as baggage, it falls under the article "oversized baggage", and therefore has a multiplying factor when calculating the cost of transportation. If you are flying with a discount airline, be sure to factor in all costs, the baggage allowance may be more than your benefit in the cost of the flight.
In any form
Snowboard is accepted for transportation by air transport packed in a special snowboard bag. Some airlines, such as Aeroflot, allow you to carry your snowboard and boots in the same bag, while some foreign airlines, such as Czech Airlines, require you to carry your snowboard and boots separately. In this case, you will need to have a special boot cover.
Officially, airlines prohibit the transportation of other personal items in a case with equipment, but in practice they do not find fault with this.
Therefore, people actively clog free space in the case with their things. However, remember that you should not put hard or sharp objects next to the board that can scratch it, lay the crepes with something soft so that they reach their destination safe and sound, be sure to stick identification marks and contact information on the case. Just in case, take an extra bag, all of a sudden you will come across strict dispatchers who will ask you to unload your things from the bag.
Dimensions and weight
As a rule, airlines do not impose any requirements on the dimensions of snowboard equipment. But the weight restrictions are quite strict: from 15 to 20 kg for all equipment, depending on the airline. Be sure to weigh your luggage at home when collecting, the amount of reseeding can be quite noticeable.
Be sure to check the weight limits with all airlines you fly with. This advice is especially relevant for transit passengers, as the rules and regulations may change during transfers.
The procedure for receiving and issuing equipment
To check in snowboard equipment, you need to drive it to the check-in counter, where the dispatcher will bring the luggage on the flight, weigh it and attach luggage tags to the cases. The cover with boots will be accepted there at the counter, but the cover will have to be taken separately to the oversized baggage counter (usually close to the freight elevator). If you didn’t wrap it in a film, then you can add things to the case, because no one will weigh it anymore.
It will be possible to get oversized luggage in a separate place, and sometimes ski equipment is dumped into one big pile near the conveyor belt. In any case, the place of unloading can be identified by a large crowd of people.
As much as you are unsure of your right to free transportation of snowboard equipment, be sure to check the details of the transportation with the carrier, as in modern conditions, airlines tend to change the rules of transportation.