Delta’s CEO must be a boogie-boarder. As if the astronomical price of airline tickets isn’t putting enough of a strain on surf travel as it is, Delta Airlines decided to drop in on all of us with it’s current charge of $300 per board on any flights outside of the United States. After putting my math skills to work and crunching some numbers, that basically puts an extra $600 worth of stress on any surfer wanting to explore waves outside of the 50 states. Simply unreal -

Here is the madness straight from the horse´s mouth -

One item of surfing equipment is accepted as baggage for $175 (for travel within the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and $300 (for travel outside the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico).

Additional surfboard restrictions and exceptions:

* Delta Connection carrier’s surfboard acceptance and charges may vary.
* If not in a protective case, you must fill out a limited liability release before we accept the surfboard.
* Surfboards are allowed one board per bag; additional boards in a bag will be charged, per board.
* Surfboards over 70 pounds will be charged the excess weight fee.
* Between Honolulu and Maui, there is a $20 charge each way.

While Delta has gone overly big with it’s board-bag fees, most airlines have jacked up their own fees as well. My suggestion to ease some of this pain is to pick up a used board or two when you get to your chosen destination and then selling it or giving it away to the local groms on your way out. You may take a small hit on the backside, but chances are it won’t be in the form of $600.

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Posted by Shaun on Thursday, August 14th, 2008 in Surfing.

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