Surfers will be stoked with Jetstar

Thousands of Australian surfers have reason to be happy, as Jetsar announces an increase in the oversized baggage allowance on the majority of their flights.

The airline listened to travellers’ feedback and are now the only Australian low fares airline carrying surfboards longer than 1.9 metres on domestic routes.

The increased allowance also applies to international flights operated by Jetstar’s fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft from 1.9 metres (6 ft 2 in) to 2.3 metres (7 ft 5 in).

Jetstar Group Chief Commercial Officer Catriona Larritt said the change came in response to calls from the surfing community.

“It’s fair to say that some surfers were frustrated because we limited the length of surfboards they could travel with on some flights which meant they couldn’t take advantage of our low fares,” Larritt said.

“We’ve listened to their feedback and are now the only Australian low fares airline carrying surfboards longer than 1.9 metres on domestic routes.

“We expect thousands more surfers will now fly Jetstar, bringing their favourite surfboard with them to the many surfing destinations we fly to like the Gold Coast, Byron Bay, Sunshine Coast and Victoria’s Surf Coast.”

The announcement of the change coincides with Jetstar’s ‘Hello Sunshine’ offer, with fares connecting surfing hot spots like the Gold Coast to Victoria’s Bells Beach through Avalon Airport from $45*.

Jetstar previously restricted the length of oversized items like surfboards due to the configuration of the cargo hold on its A320 and A321 aircraft. The oversized baggage expansion comes after the airline completed the reconfiguration of the cargo hold on its A321s.

Surfing Victoria Chief Executive Officer Adam Robertson welcomed the change, saying it would make travel a whole lot easier for Australia’s 2.5 million recreational surfers chasing waves.

“It’s great to see Jetstar expanding the oversized baggage limits for passengers,” Robertson said.

“As surfers we have equipment of all shapes and sizes and our lifestyle revolves around following the best waves. Being able to take our surfboards with us is a must.

“It’s great that more surfers will have that opportunity to travel and make sure their boards go with them.”

The change also means that travellers with other oversized items such as skis, fishing rods and golf bags will now have greater flexibility. Surfboards and any other items must be no longer than 2.3 metres in length, including their surfboard bag.

The new limit applies to Jetstar Airways’ fleet of 59 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft which operate all of its domestic flights as well as some international routes to Bali, Fiji and New Zealand. It also applies to Jetstar Asia and Jetstar Japan flights, while the maximum length of oversized baggage remains 2.0 metres on Jetstar Pacific Vietnam flights.

Jetstar’s oversized baggage limit for travel on Boeing 787s (long haul international routes), which operate some routes to Bali, Hawaii and Phuket remains the same at 2.77 metres (9 ft).

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