Flying longboard on Emirates. Can you?

[Balinewbie]

Hi!

Has anyone actually personally flown Emirates with a longboard? I’m getting some conflicting information. On their site it says max dimensions l x w x h can’t exceed 300 centimeters or else it must be sent as cargo. But, I’m seeing on a lot of other surf sites saying that Emirates just looks that the length isn’t more than 300 centimeters and that it’s a “longboard friendly airline” …

Plus another thread on this forum mentioned people showing up the airport and winging it and being fine with longboards--but that was written back in 2015 so I'm not sure if things have changed.

For this trip I was even just going to bring my minimal which not yet looking at boardbag is about 306 cm total dimension. Are they honestly going to pull out a tape measure when I'm checking in? (though I realize the bag will bulk up and add more than 6 extra cm!)

Flying out of Bali.

I will give my local office a call in the morning, but wanted to ask if anyone has personally dealt with this.

Thanks

[jaffa1949]

Out of Bali, where to, it could make a difference, if you are going to a recognized surf destination, it might be a possibility to fly then buy where you are going to.

Add cost of your boards in Bali, freight cost, risk of damage, repair if it happens, against getting a new board.... a surfer never needs an excuse to buy a newer board, you are still a beginner from your first time here in August, suitable boards are in each place you might go..........

[Balinewbie]

Out of Bali, where to, it could make a difference, if you are going to a recognized surf destination, it might be a possibility to fly then buy where you are going to.

Add cost of your boards in Bali, freight cost, risk of damage, repair if it happens, against getting a new board.... a surfer never needs an excuse to buy a newer board, you are still a beginner from your first time here in August, suitable boards are in each place you might go..........

Ok, hmmmm, you've given me something to think about. I'm going to Agadir via Dubai and Casablanca and am flying back with other airlines that would actually allow the bigger board. One airline for free, the other for a fee.

I'm on my first board, an 8'0 minimal and because I got a pretty good deal on it and have surfed it heaps since I got it, ideally I'd really like to bring this one. I just feel really good on it. Also it would be so easy to get a boardbag made here in Bali for cheap exact to my specifications, whereas if I bought a board in Morocco I would have to get the bag there and I'm not sure if it's as quick or as affordable as it is here.

I got like a little over a month til the trip so you've inspired me to do a little more research on shapers in Morocco. I have been itching to move up to a full-on 9'4" to get walking, so maybe I could have a longboard made there and come home with it--it's just that i really like my shaper in Bali and the prices and know a lot of people using him so it just seems less risky for what i'd get board-wise.

thanks for responding to my post!

[jaffa1949]

I’m a little confused about the board bag issue, an 8ft board is about 240cm so add a little more padding and you’d still be under 300.
Long trip, but I understand the wish to take your special board. I suspect a Moroccan board will be dearer than any deals you can do in Bali.
Talk to emirates see how you go, base you decision on what you hear there! Not a usual surf journey!

[Balinewbie]

I’m a little confused about the board bag issue, an 8ft board is about 240cm so add a little more padding and you’d still be under 300.
Long trip, but I understand the wish to take your special board. I suspect a Moroccan board will be dearer than any deals you can do in Bali.
Talk to emirates see how you go, base you decision on what you hear there! Not a usual surf journey!

Ah, sorry if I didn't explain that well! So the issue with Emirates is they're saying they're not just looking at 300cm for only the length but 300 cm for max dimensions of length + width + height added together must not exceed 300 cm or else it must go as freight. So my board is 243 centimeters (8'0) + 56 cm (22 inches) + 7 cm (2.75 inches) so the total added dimensions without a board bag would be 306 centimeters. *oy*

I have put out a posting on a Bali surfer's community group and apparently I can expect them to stop me and measure everything!

Will def look into getting a 2nd hand log in Morocco at this point!

[jaffa1949]

I checked Qatar too,similar requirements. Odd linking of destinations, will do a review of any board hire I know of. A couple of friends have been there recently!
The range of boards for hire is from about $US 50 to $100. Depends on your destination there!

Why not hire and then get your new board made in Bali Tidak apa apa.