5 European Golf-Friendly Airlines in 2023
Golf is a growing sport in Europe, and many airlines are willing to accept your golf bags in exchange for a regular piece of standard luggage.
When flying in Europe, keep in mind that many budget airlines charge for all checked bags, so even if you can take a golf bag in place of a standard suitcase, you may end up having to pay for that privilege. [AMZ asins='B00CUEFDSS,B001P9IA0C,B09BZ2HB4T,B002LZA8PY']
Some airlines will fly your golf bag free of charge, in addition to your standard checked baggage allowance, if you become a member of their "Golf membership", which will allow you to always bring a golf bag free of charge in addition to your regular checked luggage.
Be sure to explore our listing of Golf Bag Fees for 300+ Airlines before booking your flight, in order to choose the best airline for your trip.
1. Virgin Atlantic
Although Virgin Atlantic no longer accepts sports equipment in addition to their standard checked baggage allowance in 2023, they will still accept a golf bag in place of a standard suitcase in your regular checked baggage allowance.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Virgin Atlantic
Planning a golf trip with Virgin Atlantic? We’ll fly your golf equipment as part of your baggage allowance as long as it weighs in at 23kg or less.Here’s what your golf equipment can include:
One bag (containing a maximum of 14 clubs)
A dozen balls
One pair of golf shoes.
View Regular Virgin Atlantic Baggage Policies 2023
View Virgin Atlantic Golf Clubs Policy
2. SWISS International Airlines
SWISS accepts golf equipment to be substituted free of charge in place of a regular piece of checked luggage within your baggage allowance.If you are flying with golf equipment on SWISS Airlines in excess of your regular free checked baggage allowance, you will have to pay SWISS's "Normal Sports Equipment":
Within Switzerland: $90 USD / 80 EUR
Within Europe: $90 USD / 80 EUR
Intercontinental: $150 USD / 130 EUR
SWISS Airlines also offers a Golf Traveller program which you can join to become a member, allowing you to take a set of golf equipment free of charge in addition to your regular checked luggage allowance.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Swiss International Airlines
We are happy to transport your sports equipment subject to no extra charge, provided that you do not exceed your baggage allowance. You will only be charged extra fees if you want to transport more items of luggage than those included in your allowance or if your luggage is heavier than the standard allowance.Golf equipment consists of 1 golf bag, containing:
1 set of golf clubs
golf balls and tees
1 pair of golf shoesWithin Switzerland: $90 USD / 80 EUR
Within Europe: $90 USD / 80 EUR
Intercontinental: $150 USD / 130 EURAs a SWISS Golf Traveller member, we are happy to transport your golf equipment free of charge on flights operated by SWISS.
Free transportation of golf equipment for Miles & More HON, Senators, and Star Alliance Gold members, excluding flights from/to/via USA/Canada. Does not apply for the Economy Light fare.
View Regular Swiss International Airlines Baggage Policies 2023
View Swiss International Airlines Golf Clubs Policy
3. Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines will accept a piece of golf equipment in place of your regular checked baggage allowance, as long as it is within your free checked baggage allowance and does not exceed the allowed weight limit.
If your golf bag is in excess of your free checked baggage allowance, a Golf Bag Fee will be charged:
Domestic: EUR 70
Europe: EUR 80
Near and Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia: EUR 100
Medium haul intercontinental routes: EUR 200
Long haul intercontinental routes: EUR 250
Austrian Airlines also offers free golf equipment transportation to certain loyalty members.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Austrian Airlines
Austrian Airlines will carry your sports baggage with no surcharge, providing it does not exceed the number of bags and weight of the free baggage allowance on your ticketGolf Equipment is defined as:
one golf bag with a set of golf clubs, golf balls and tees;
one pair of golf shoes;
maximum dimensions: 220 cm (width + height + depth);
maximum one bag.If your golf bag is in excess of your free checked baggage allowance or is overweight, the following Golf Bag fees will apply:
Domestic: EUR 70
Europe: EUR 80
Near and Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia: EUR 100
Medium haul intercontinental routes: EUR 200
Long haul intercontinental routes: EUR 2501 golf equipment is transported free of charge for HON Circle Members, Senators and Star Alliance Gold members as well as for SWISS Golf Travellers. This does not apply to Economy Light fares and routes to/from/via the USA.
View Regular Austrian Airlines Baggage Policies 2018
View Austrian Airlines Golf Clubs Policy
4. British Airways
British Airways, like many airlines, allows golf equipment to be taken in place of a regular piece of luggage. BA makes it onto our list of golf-friendly airlines thanks to its generous size allowance of 190 x 75 x 65 cm bag, without dinging you for your golf bag being oversized.
Please keep in mind that the standard weight limit of 50 lbs / 23 kg still applies, and a heavy baggage charge of 65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD will apply if exceeded.
Flying with Golf Clubs on British Airways
You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage allowance, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).Your golf bag may weigh no more than 23kg (50 lbs) if flying in Economy class before incurring a heavy baggage charge of 65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD.
If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.
View Regular British Airways Baggage Policies 2023
View British Airways Golf Clubs Policy
5. Air France
Air France allows you to take a golf bag in place of a regular piece of checked luggage free of charge, if within your checked baggage allowance.If your golf bag is in excess of your regular free checked bag allowance, or your ticket does not have a checked baggage allowance, you will have to pay the standard additional bag fee for your golf bag.
If you are a Flying Blue Golf member, you are able to take a golf bag free of charge in addition to your regular checked baggage allowance.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Air France
Your golf equipment (bag containing clubs and shoes) is considered as a standard checked baggage item and is included at no extra charge in your free checked baggage allowance in place of a standard suitcase(does not apply to Economy Light and Basic fare tickets).Are you a Flying Blue Golf member? You may transport one golf bag containing golf equipment only at no extra charge, regardless of how many baggage items you check in. To benefit from this allowance, please visit the Flying Blue Golf website and complete the corresponding form on your “Profile” page. You will receive a voucher to print and present at the airport.
View Regular Air France Baggage Policies 2023
View Air France Golf Clubs Policy
6. Ryanair - £30 / 30 EUR
Ryanair charges a reasonable fee of only £30 / 30 EUR for a set of golf clubs. The weight is limited to 20 kg / 44 lbs, above which an excess weight fee will be charged per extra kg.
Flying with Golf Clubs on Ryanair
Ryanair accepts golf bags as checked baggage. Golf equipment may be carried in the hold of the aircraft in addition to your personal checked baggage allowance up to a limit of 20 kilos per item upon payment of a fee per item, depending on its size.Ryanair Golf Fee 2023
€30 / £30 (online)
€40 / £40 (at airport)
Fee charged per Item/ Per one way flight. Maximum weight of 20kg per item
View Regular Ryanair Baggage Policies 2023
View Ryanair Golf Clubs Policy
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