Each golfer has their own list of courses they would like to see and play on. When this list includes courses abroad, and you have the opportunity to make your dream come true, you are faced with having to travel by plane with your bag of clubs.

Due to their size, golf bags must be checked in as individual baggage and within the limit of the allowance for each ticket, which in most cases involves the payment of excess baggage.

Each airline has its own policy on carrying sports equipment, so it is necessary to devote special time to this matter before booking your flight and studying the various options. You must know exactly the conditions of transport (packaging, weight, cost, insurance, delivery time, etc.) to avoid surprises and additional costs.

Nouvelair accepts to transport your golf bag as long as it respects the weight and dimensions of the baggage allowance included in your ticket. Otherwise, otherwise, you can transport it by paying for excess baggage.

Here are some general tips if you must travel by plane with your golf club bag:

• Carry your clubs in a bag that really protects them, with a padded, soft or hard surface (ask the airline), to prevent damage to the equipment.
• Some airlines require you to sign a document in which you accept no responsibility for damage to your equipment when you carry it in a soft bag.
• Airlines are very strict about sports equipment and what isn’t. Do not include non-equipment items in the bag: clubs, balls and shoes.
• Just as there are certain measures that must be observed when checking a suitcase, there are also authorized measures for transporting golf bags. Typically, they measure 190 x 75 x 65 cm (consult the specific case of your airline), with a weight of up to 23 kilos.

If you are going to play on unfamiliar terrain, check the dress code for training there and pack the appropriate clothing in your suitcase. Also, it is worth checking the weather forecast to pack a raincoat or a good hat for the sun.

Think carefully before loading your bag of clubs

Do you really need to transport “all” your clubs? If you never use the 6 iron, why not leave it at home? Remember that there is also a weight limit.

Usually, sporting or bulky equipment needs to be shipped with more time and you will be called to check-in a little before the rest of the passengers, or via a special counter.

Sports or bulky luggage is the first thing to enter the hold (hence the importance of the previous point) and also the last to leave. Be prepared to wait a little longer at the baggage belt when you arrive at your destination. This is very important when you arrive in another country and need to connect with a domestic flight after going through immigration and customs. Calculate the connection time between flights (or departure with another means of transport) with a sufficient margin.

Secure your sports luggage. You know that you have spent a lot of money to get the equipment you have. Protect your investment with good travel insurance against loss, damage, theft, etc.

An important detail especially if you are going to fly to airports in the United States, or major European airports: if you have played in the 7 days before the flight, be aware that the fertilizer used on golf courses can leave a mark. in golf shoes and bag. You need to know this and make it known in case it is detected as it can be mistaken for the trace of substances not allowed to be carried on an airplane.

Protect the heads of the clubs with a smooth surface (bubble wrap, for example) to prevent successive transfers (and not always with good manners) from damaging the clubs between them.

Clearly identify your club bag with your name and phone number (or the name of the hotel where you will be staying at your destination) and secure it with a padlock once you have shown the contents to the flight check-in counter.

A diving trip planned and you need to know the regulations to transport your lighthouse on board a Nouvelair plane?

The regulations concerning the transport of certain objects by plane can be very strict and even prevent you from being able to leave if you had not anticipated it. This is particularly the case with your diving light. Several questions then arise as to its transport in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.

It is now well known that when traveling by air, dangerous items, such as knives, must be checked in as checked baggage. This is for safety reasons for other passengers and crew, to prevent hijackings, or to avoid injuring someone. The same goes for diving lights. In this case, it is not the fear of hijacking that is at issue, but the risk of fire. This is because diving lights heat up more than regular flashlights. If they accidentally ignite in hand luggage, they are likely to ignite. Bulky lamps and batteries are generally checked in the hold due to their weight.

What is the best way to transport such equipment by plane?

It is authorized to transport its lighting by plane. However, it is important to separate or disconnect the batteries from the rest. Dive lights are classified as dangerous goods. Therefore, for transport safety, batteries and bulbs should be removed. Disassembling the different parts also allows you to keep light bulbs and other delicate items with you in hand luggage, to prevent them from being damaged in the hold.

– Is the rule common to all batteries?

The answer is no, the lithium battery has different regulation depending on the battery power. Indeed, lithium batteries with an energy greater than 160 W are prohibited on board the aircraft, whether in the hold or in the cabin. Lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries with an energy of 100 to 160 W may be carried, if packaged, in checked or carry-on baggage depending on the airline. However, even if authorized by the airline, only two 100-160W batteries are allowed per passenger or crew member.

Additional batteries must be individually wrapped in insulating packaging (eg plastic bag or plastic box). To reduce the risk, you can also cover the terminals with adhesive tape to prevent short circuits. They should still be carried in hand luggage. As you can see, not all cells and batteries are treated the same. It is always a good idea to check with your local airline well in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.