That's La Plagne

British Airways: Your Essential Guide to Flying with Ski Gear

All your British Airways ski travel questions answered in 1 place

Dreaming of snowy slopes and carving fresh tracks? If you're planning a ski getaway with British Airways, we've got you covered on the nitty-gritty details of getting your ski equipment on board.

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1. Baggage allowance

First up: cabin bags. Your British Airways cabin bag can weigh up to 23 kg! Which is big. You can have a small hand bag to fit under the seat in front of you, plus a larger cabin bag to put in the over head locker.

Your standard hold luggage allowance when flying British Airways is 23 kg with Economy and Premium Economy included with your booking. Now, here's where British Airways offers a sweet deal for ski enthusiasts – your ski equipment can hitch a ride free of charge! That is, as long as it fits snugly within your allotted checked baggage allowance, i.e., within the 23 kg weight limit (and no longer than 190 cm).

If you're carrying your skis in addition to your regular checked luggage or you've snagged a no-baggage fare, you'll be subject to the standard checked luggage fee, which is the same as what you'd pay for a regular suitcase. So a second bag weighing 23 kg and the cost varys depending on the flight route and when you made your booking. But it's worth doing because overweight luggage can cost you an extra £65!

2. British Airways ski bag specifications

With British Airways ski guidelines, your trusty ski bag should measure no more than 190cm (75in) in length to qualify for the complimentary ski equipment allowance. So, make sure those skis are neatly tucked within that limit.

As mentioned above, your ski bar or snowboard bag can be your main checked piece of luggage so long as it weighs no more than 23 kg. Of, you can book an additional ski bag weighing up to 23 kgs. Which typically would be plenty of weight for 2 adult pairs of skis or even adults plus kids skis.

3. Weight matters

Watch that scale! If your ski bag tips the scales at more than 23 kg (50 lbs), brace yourself for a heavy bag fee. It'll set you back 65 GBP, 75 EUR, 100 USD, or 100 CAD, depending on your location and currency.

4. Packing essentials

When it comes to packing, British Airways has a few handy recommendations:

Pack your skis and snowboards in a recognized ski or snowboard bag.
Don't leave your ski poles behind; make sure they're securely packed with your skis.
Bundle your boots together with your skis or snowboard for smoother travel.

5. Ski boots on board British Airways?

Now, about those ski boots – if you decide to pack them separately from your skis, here's the deal. You can take them into the cabin as part of your carry-on allowance. However, if they don't fit within your carry-on allowance, they'll be checked in as a separate bag and will incur an additional bag charge.

BUT, the weight allowance for your cabin luggage is 23 kg! SO the weight of your ski boots will not be a problem, it will be checking that they fit in your cabin bag.

6. Notification and check-in

Here's the best part: you don't need to jump through hoops to notify British Airways that you're jetting off with your ski gear. However, we do recommend getting to the airport a little early to drop off your skis at the oversized/out-of-gauge baggage belt at least 90 minutes before your flight. This ensures a smooth journey for your beloved equipment.

7. What is the British Airways sustainability commitment?

As with most other airlines, BA has committed to working towards net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

British Airways is focusing on working with its whole supply chain to try to reduce waste, and carbon emissions.

Their main focus is on using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). They are the first airline in the world to commit to using this on an industrial scale, with partner Philipps66. They are also working with partners to build factories to convert household waste into SAF.

My final point is that British Airways does not automatically offset passengers' carbon emissions. The only airline I have found to do this is Jet2. They do provide options or suggestions for other places where you can do this.

That’s La Plagne and flying British Aiwarys with ski gear

So there you have it, the ins and outs of flying with your ski gear on British Airways. Now, all that's left to do is hit the slopes and relish in the thrill of a ski adventure like no other.

Safe travels, and see you on the slopes!