Airline Regulations When Traveling With Golf Clubs

Fees, regulations and checked baggage information is a fast changing subject with airlines today. The information below is provided with links back to the airlines. Before you make a reservation or decision to travel one airline or another-please. CHECK the airline's regulations first Having to pay an unexpected $70 or more to take your clubs on your trip can be an unpleasant surprise.

Allow or keep extra space in your suitcase/luggage empty in case you exceed the 50 pound limit. This way you can move your shoes, clothes or other items from your golf bag to avoid the excess weight charge.

DELTA
http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/fragile_bulky/sporting_goods/index.jsp#6
Golfing Equipment
One item of golfing equipment is accepted as part of a customer's free baggage allowance. One item of golfing equipment is defined as one or up to all of a combination of the following:

• One golf bag containing not more than
• 14 golf clubs
• 12 golf balls
• one pair of golf shoes
• Items in excess of Delta's free bag allowance will be assessed an excess baggage charge.

Customers wishing to check golf clubs have three options:

1. Hard shell golf travel containers – no limited liability release required
2. Delta golf box ($10 charge) – no limited liability release required
3. All other golf travel bags (i.e., soft-sided bags) – limited liability release required

The limited liability release absolves Delta of responsibility for pre-existing damage to the clubs, or damage from the normal course of handling.
Delta is offering customers an additional option for protecting their golf equipment, Delta's golf box. The box, which customers may purchase for $10 USD, will accommodate most soft-sided bags. The boxes are available for purchase at Delta's ticket counters.

One golf bag is acceptable up to 50 pounds as the passenger's one free checked bag. If the bag exceeds 50 pounds, excess baggage fees will apply. The outside linear dimensions may exceed 80 inches and no excess baggage fees will apply.

One item of golfing equipment is defined as one golf bag.

Golf clubs will be accepted as checked baggage under the following conditions:

• The golf bag is packaged within a hardshell case.
• The golf bag is packaged within a soft sided golf club travel bag after the customer signs a limited release.
• Delta is not responsible for damage noted at the time of check-in or damage due to overpacking the bag.

UNITED
http://www.united.com/page/article/0,1360,1032,00.html
Golfing Equipment (1 golf bag with clubs and 1 pair of shoes) must be enclosed in full-length protective cover. (vinyl/cloth/nylon/or hard sided case).
Carry-on bags
For travel worldwide on United Airlines, you may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop computer. A carry-on bag must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin and cannot weigh more than 50 lbs. Its linear dimensions (length + width + height) cannot exceed 9" x 14" x 22". United Airlines may require that a carry-on item travel as checked baggage if the item cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.
United exempts the following personal items from the one piece limit:

• Child safety seats for ticketed children
• Assistive devices (e.g. canes, crutches, etc.)
• Outer garments (e.g. coats, hats, etc.)
• Small purses (no larger than 25 linear inches)
• Briefcases
• Laptop computers
• Checked bags
• For travel within the U.S. and Canada, and to many other destinations, you may travel with two free checked bags.
• Your largest checked bag must have linear dimensions that do not exceed 62 inches and must weigh no more than 70 pounds.
• Each checked bag must have the name of the person traveling on the outside of the bag.

You may substitute golfing equipment for one piece of the two allowable checked pieces. Military personnel may substitute one duffel/B-4 bag free in lieu of their largest checked piece. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details regarding acceptance and restrictions for these or other checked items.
If your ticketed itinerary includes any ground transportation, you must retrieve your luggage and transfer it between the airline and the ground transport.
If you are traveling outside of North America, United's free baggage allowance may vary. Contact United or your travel agent prior to your trip for details.

AMERICAN
http://www.aa.com/content/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jhtml
Golf equipment must consist of no more than one golf bag with golf clubs, golf balls, and shoes.

• This is Free in place of one 62 inch bag.
• Maximum free weight on golf clubs is 70 lbs.
• Size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.
• Swingless Golf Club load strips are considered dangerous goods and are not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage.

CONTINENTAL
http://www.continental.com/travel/policies/baggage/default.asp
Golf Equipment
Continental accepts one item of golf equipment per customer in lieu of one piece of free baggage.
An item of golf equipment consists of:

• 1 golf bag containing not more than 14 golf clubs
• 12 golf balls
• 1 pair golf shoes.

All items must be properly encased in a suitable container. The golf bag must be covered or enclosed in a heavy, rigid carrying case. Continental shall not be liable for golf equipment presented without a carrying case.
Golf equipment carried in addition to the free baggage allowance will be assessed at the current excess baggage charge.

NORTHWEST
http://www.nwa.com/travel/luggage/specialitems.html#sports
Northwest accepts one (1) set of golf equipment (14 clubs, 12 balls and one pair of shoes) in lieu of one (1) piece of luggage included in the free luggage allowance. Golf equipment is accepted as checked luggage only.
Northwest will not accept golf equipment without a cover. A hard-shell case is recommended. Full normal excess charges apply to passengers with more than one golf bag. Golf bags must adhere to normal weight limits.

SOUTHWEST
http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/sports_equipment.html
Golf clubs that are transported in a hard, plastic travel case or a standard club bag are accepted as checked baggage. Golf clubs transported without a hood to cover the clubs, or clubs that are covered with a plastic bag, will be conditionally accepted. Golf equipment includes golf clubs, golf balls, and golf shoes, contained in one bag. Golf clubs are not allowed onboard as carryon items.
Free Baggage Allowance
Upon presentation by a fare-paying passenger of a valid ticket, Carrier will allow the following baggage to be transported without charge:
Checked Baggage – Three (3) pieces of baggage, each piece of which having outside measurements (i.e., the sum of the greatest outside length plus the greatest outside width plus the greatest outside height) not exceeding sixty-two (62) inches, not weighing more than seventy (70) pounds per piece, and provided such baggage is checked for carriage in the cargo hold of the aircraft.
Exception: Military passengers traveling on permanent change of station (PCS) orders will be permitted to substitute as checked baggage one (1) duffel bag, sea bag, or B-4 bag that exceeds the sixty-two (62) inch dimension, provided that same does not exceed seventy (70) pounds in weight and eighty (80) inches in size (length plus height plus width).

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