Sporting equipment
When you fly with us you can take certain types of sporting equipment in addition to your normal checked baggage allowance. If your equipment bags meet the dimensions and weight restrictions, they may be carried free of charge.
Baggage restrictions
In addition to your free checked baggage allowance, you are allowed to take one of the stated pieces of sporting equipment with you free of charge, provided it meets the following restrictions:
- Each bag must be no more than 240cm x 75cm x 65cm (94.5ins x 29.5ins x 25.5ins) including the handle, pockets and wheels. Sporting equipment listed below is exempt from the oversized bag charge.
- Each bag must not exceed 23kg (51lbs).
- Any bag that is more than 23kg (51lbs) and less than 32kg (70lbs) is subject to a charge at check-in.
- If you have more bags to check in over your free allowance (including your one piece of equipment), these will be subject to an additional fee per bag.
Sporting equipment we carry
Only one travel case of equipment is permitted at no extra cost except where we state otherwise in the relevant section below.
Select one of the categories to view the allowance for each sport.
Angling
Rod case
Travel bag
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised angling rod case or bag.
Equipment accepted:
Rods and reels contained in a case and one bag with fishing tackle, landing net and fishing boots.
Archery
Bow case
Archery wheelie case
Accepted travel cases:
Standard bow and arrow case.
Equipment accepted:
One bow, one quiver and arrows.
Cricket
Team coffin
Soft team coffin
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised cricket coffins or team bags.
Equipment accepted:
Bats, wickets, pads and balls.
Cycling
Compact bag for dismantled bicycle
Folding bicycle bag
Hard-shell bicycle case
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised bicycle bag.
We will accept all single bicycle bags as illustrated, but these may be subject to additional fees.
Equipment accepted:
One non-motorised bicycle.
Preparing bicycles for travel:
- Bicycle pedals must be removed (or fixed inwards).
- Handlebars must be fixed sideways.
- The bicycle must be contained in a protective case or bag.
- You may wish to deflate the tyres to reduce risk of damage.
Diving
Draw-string backpack
Tote-style bag
Wheelie bag/rucksack
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised kit bag.
Equipment accepted:
One scuba regulator, tank harness, tank pressure gauge, face mask, fins (pair), buoyancy control device (BCD), snorkel, weight belt and cylinder tank. (Subject to maximum baggage weight).
Cylinders must be empty for carriage.
Notes:
1. Pressure-sensitive devices may need special packaging. Please refer to manufacturer for advice.
2. Spear-guns must be unloaded with the spear packed separately.
Field hockey
Player bag
Team bag
Accepted travel cases:
Standard team kit bags not exceeding maximum baggage dimensions.
Equipment accepted:
Sticks, balls and pads in one equipment bag.
Golf
Hard-shelled case
Soft bag
Soft bag with wheels
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised golf cases.
Equipment accepted:
One bag containing 14 clubs, 12 balls, umbrella and golf shoes.
All golf bags will be accepted, but these may be subject to additional fees.
Ice hockey
Team bag
Stick bag
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised ice hockey kit or team bag.
Equipment accepted:
Team kit including sticks.
All stick bags will be accepted, but these may be subject to additional fees.
Lacrosse
Wheelie bag or rucksack
Lacrosse bag
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised team or kit bags.
Equipment accepted:
Lacrosse sticks in one equipment bag.
Shooting
Pistol bag
Pistol case
Shotgun bag
Important notices:
- All handguns are restricted under UK law and can only be carried with prior permission. You are responsible for ensuring you have all the required documentation and licences for your weapons and ammunition. This may include export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities for the items to be carried.
- You must notify us about the carriage of guns at least 72 hours before travel to ensure compliance with UK government (or other local government) embargoes and restrictions.
- Passengers travelling with firearms must be at check-in at least 2 hours before their flight, to enable sufficient time to process the paperwork prior to clearing security.
- All firearms are subject to a £25 charge at Check-in. Firearms are handled by a specialist third party agent on our behalf, this charge covers their costs.
Accepted travel cases:
Approved gun carriage case.
Equipment accepted:
One approved sporting gun carriage case and contents.
Preparing sporting guns for travel:
- Each firearm carried must be accompanied by the appropriate Firearms Certificate.
- The gun must be unloaded.
- If possible the gun should be dismantled.
- Ammunition must be for sporting purposes.
- The total weight of the ammunition (including shell) must not exceed the allowance of 5kg (11lbs) per passenger.
- Sharing weight allowance between passengers is not allowed.
- Ammunition must be packed in hold bags, an ammunition case or the gun carriage case. An ammunition case will be considered as an additional piece of hold baggage and excess baggage charges may apply.
- Ammunition must be packed in either its original packaging or in a suitable container that prevents movement between shells or cartridges, i.e loose ammunition is not permitted.
- Bags with ammunition must not bear 'explosives' labels.
Skiing & Snowboarding
Ski bag
Boot bag
Accepted travel cases:
Recognised ski or snowboard bags.
Equipment accepted:
- One pair of skis, poles and boots or
- one snowboard and boots.
The majority of skis comply with maximum dimensions, although all skis will be accepted.
Ten-pin bowling
Four-ball bag
Double-ball bag
Single-ball bag
Accepted travel cases:
Must be non-rolling carry case.
Equipment accepted:
Bowling case with bowling balls and shoes.
Tennis
Tour bag
Racquet bag
Accepted travel cases:
Standard single or multiple racquet kit bags.
Equipment accepted:
Racquets and balls.
Sporting equipment we do not carry as checked baggage
Because of the large size and the associated handling complexities, there is some equipment that we cannot accept as checked baggage. Therefore, we do not accept the following equipment:
- hang-gliders
- windsurfing boards and sails
- water skis that exceed the maximum dimensions
- surfboards
- kayaks, canoes and oars
- pole vaults
- javelins
All other sporting items
The following items must be packed in your standard baggage and not as part of your sporting equipment allowance:
- sports clothes
- sports holdalls and bags
- smaller items or accessories, such as football shin-pads and gum-shields