Hi guys,

I will be going home to Tahiti for a month (I live in Sydney now) probably travelling with Air Tahiti Nui (ATN) via Auckland (code share with Qantas and Air New Zealand)

I'd like to take my SUP with me - 9"5 Hokua, will be packed in a 10" bag.
Would really be a shame to go there without my board & paddle and having to rent something...

Does anyone have any experience checking in SUPs of that size for this destination?

I've checked with the airlines but for Air New Zealand it seems to be too big and it is over 2m. They say I should send it cargo (for $500 one way...)
Haven't got hold of ATN yet.

It looks like lots of SUP/windsurfers/longboarders are travelling with their gear, and was wondering if I should take the risk showing up at the airport with my board (with the risk that even if I get it to Tahiti via Qantas/ATN, Air New Zealand might drop me on the way back as they are the code share airline making the first leg of the return flight)

Any recommendation or experience to share? Thanks!

Piros said...
It will depend on the size of the plane , with Jetstar the smaller planes pack luggage into a container so max 1.8m but the international flights they use larger planes and now worries up to 3m. I'm guessing Air NZ will be the same , it's the connection flights on the small planes is where you get caught out. In the past the way I got around this is you tell them you have a long board when you book and even if you get placed on a small plane they will put it on a larger one to your destination at no cost. Worst case it gets there a day late.

Check on your reservation for the plane type then look up luggage specs for that particular plane. Lucky dog Tahiti Yeeeeew.

Thanks Piros, I guess I will give it a go!
I've booked via Qantas - code share Air Tahiti Nui at from AKL to PPT and PPT to AKL. I've talked to Air Tahiti Nui and they have no issue with the size.

Will be flying on Boeing 737-800 and Airbus Industrie A340-300, crossing my fingers Qantas will accept it and that it arrives there in a single piece!

Can't wait to be on the water!

is your sydney to auckland on a qantas aircraft? if so according to their website you are allowed to take it so long as it does not exceed 227cm, weighs no more than 32kgs must be in bag and fins taken off.

www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/sporting-equipment/global/en

hope this helps