British Airways bans Surfboards

Kelly
October 2007
Don't you just hate it when you get charged extra to check in your Javelin? Now BA won't even allow you to check it in ...

That might be a lost cause for our javelin throwing friends who want to travel to the London Olympics in 2010 on a BA flight but the surfboard issue has caused a bit of a backlash and too right - how can you allow a bicycle, golf clubs, snowboard or skis and not a surfboard? Sign the petition if you want, but as always if you don't agree then the best way to show your disapproval is with your wallet ...

And let your surfer buddies know before they end up at the airport unable to take along their favourite stick.

Sign the petition: http://www.gopetition.com/online/14891.html

Times article: http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/lif ... 724730.ece

Metro article: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.htm ... page_id=34

BA terms: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ba ... blic/en_gb

British Airways wrote:
Sporting equipment we do not carry (effective from 6 November 2007)

Due to the large size and handling complexities, some sporting equipment cannot be accommodated through the airport baggage system or within the aircraft hold. Therefore we no longer accept the following equipment at check-in as part of your sporting equipment allowance.

* hang gliders
* windsurfing boards and sails
* surfboards
* kayaks or canoes
* pole vaults
* javelins

Please contact your local freight company to arrange carriage for any items that exceed the permitted weight and size.

Bodyboarding 1,523 views

10 Replies

ronald911
October 2007
with some luck they wont ban a bodyboard, because its much smaller than a surfboard. And also a Bike much bigger and heavier than a bodyboard.
otherwise just fly mango or 1Time.
Spy Dude
October 2007
ok kelly i have been following this for a while... our beloved friends at zigzag were the first to make wind about this issue.

now my question is... why should i bother to help the surfers out? Why should i add my name to it when the continue to discriminate agaisnt my sport and dis me cos i prefer to ly down on a wave in stead of stand up.

I say to all boogers... don't sign this thing.
Less surfer kooks from england in the water
less norwegion wobblers wobbling their way down the point.

ahhh stuff it

ban king darren instead
Marthinus
October 2007

Spy Dude wrote:
ok kelly i have been following this for a while... our beloved friends at zigzag were the first to make wind about this issue.

now my question is... why should i bother to help the surfers out? Why should i add my name to it when the continue to discriminate agaisnt my sport and dis me cos i prefer to ly down on a wave in stead of stand up.

I say to all boogers... don't sign this thing.
Less surfer kooks from england in the water
less norwegion wobblers wobbling their way down the point.

ahhh stuff it

ban king darren instead

nail on the head 100%
October 2007
well just shows airlines have nothing better to do! oh well least the bodyboarders are safe still why couldnt they think of better things to do like improve service in some way....but then who flies with them anyways? ive never ever been on a BA flight and dont plan to as heard they arent eve that great... good times
peterbee
October 2007
Love the idea of less kooks in the water, but it's worth keeping in mind that if you don't bother to protest while they are discriminating against stand-ups, it may be too late by the time they discriminate against body-boarders (and surely we'll be next?)...
Kelly
October 2007

Spy Dude wrote:
why should i bother to help the surfers out?

lol ... well someone was always going to pull that line. I've signed for guys like my brothers and buddies who surf, the guys who couldn't give a rats about what you ride and the fact that I think we could be next. I did say sign if you want and no bones if you don't ... it doesn't affect me/us directly at the moment but Peterbee is right and if you're only worried about yourself then from my experience - if surfers get hassled then at some point you will too. I've been nailed R700 for a one way flight for my "surfboard".

Some airlines have already started charging for bodyboards specifically --- if you're flying with Ryanair in Europe a bodyboard bag costs Â£15.50 prepaid or Â£20.50 at the check-in per one-way flight. (if anyone is flying with them - suggest you double up in one boardbag). http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=CHARGES

Just imagine if Kulula, Mango & 1Time introduced those charges and Ryanair is one of the market leaders which all budget airlines look to.
Marthinus
October 2007
Good points Kelly.. You might have changed my mind......

Na, im too against the corporate surfing world.. but then again, its not really them thats gonna be effected by this new policy, its our (limited) stand-up friends we have..
Chinnychinchin
October 2007
Pole Vault, Javlin, surfboard, windsurfer.......aren't they bieng restricted due to size? Our sponges are not much longer than the average big suitcase. Maybe the issue is "handling difficulties", they have to put them aside and pack them last so they don't get trashed. Then again they must do that with bikes, so surely bikes will have to be banned a well. Maybe they are tired of having to pay for the damages.....It's not right that a cheepo like Ryan air charges for a sponge, that's crap, it's just a scheme to milk more money out of the consumer.....bastards the lot of them, boycott the thieving scum!!
Chilternburt
October 2007
i def reckon its more to do with paying out for damages than size, cause all the things listed are easy to damage and well the people in charge of luggage at most airports aren't exactly brain surgeons, actually @ Heathrow its usually a mix of dodgy polish immigrants and south africans....
Steve
November 2007
if they make a ban on bodyboards buy a big suit case haha that would be such a lag LOL

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