News /Beware excess charges on sports kit

SPORT-loving travellers are being advised to check the small print and be aware of excess baggage charges when flying kit abroad.

Brits are being urged to know exactly what it might cost them before they jet off overseas with their sports equipment in tow.

Comparison site Cheapflights researched the extra baggage charges of UK airlines and found that British Airways allows travellers to include an item of sports equipment as one of their checked pieces of luggage, weighing up to 23kg.

Anything above this will mean travellers will need to add an extra piece of luggage from £36 if flying from Gatwick or Stansted or £60 from all other departure airports.

Flybe meanwhile, allows a golf club bag instead of a standard piece of luggage and Monarch gives divers 5kg extra hold allowance.

It also found that Ryanair charges £60 each way to take a bike abroad.

Surfboards cost from £50 each way with the same airline, whilst skis and golf clubs are £40 and £30 respectively.

Phil Bloomfield, global head of communications at Cheapflights says: “Anyone wanting to take their brand new bike, clubs or boards should beware.

“Extra baggage costs imposed by certain airlines can mean that taking sports equipment can triple the cost of travel.

“Our advice is to research each airline’s policy on sports kit before booking, making sure you take into account any additional luggage that you’ll need and the cost of packaging the equipment to the standard required by the airline.

“With most airlines charging significantly less for online advance bookings, it pays to be organised.

“Each airline has its own rules about how sports equipment must be packed to travel, and it pays to check these well in advance and be prepared.

“For example, Jet2.com asks cyclists to remove bike pedals, deflate the tyres and wrap bicycles in stiff cardboard; whereas Monarch asks that pedals should be padded but tyres can remain inflated.

“British Airways asks that bikes are carried in a recognised protective bike bag.

“We urge travellers to research the varying regulations on airlines’ official websites and, if in doubt, double check over the phone.”