It's not just Ryder Cup players Rory McIlroy and Jim Furyk who jet around the world to play golf, bookings for worldwide golf holidays for 2013 and 2014 have increased by over 20% according to IAGTO*, the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry. With more golfers than ever heading abroad, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is helping travellers avoid unexpected charges when checking-in at the airport by comparing the cost of travelling with golf equipment across all major airlines. The guide is available in the Know Before You Go section of the website, at www.aph.com/golfbaggage .

This comprehensive guide compares the baggage allowances available on both short-haul and long-haul flights across 25 major airlines, including British Airways, EasyJet, Iberia and Virgin Atlantic, highlighting the weight specifications, handling fees and additional bag charges.

When it comes to travelling on short-haul flights, airline baggage allowances can vary greatly with some airlines significantly more generous than others. Most airlines were found to offer customers a standard complimentary baggage allowance of 20kg – 23kg which increases up to 32kg for First and Business Class passengers.

However some low-cost airlines, including BMI and EasyJet, offer a maximum weight of only 20kg and charge passengers from £30 – £40 to place bags in the hold when purchased at the airport. Golfers flying with Ryanair are charged an additional £60 per journey when booked at the airport or through the call centre.

With regards to long-haul flights, the majority of airlines were found to offer 23kg as the standard baggage allowance for Economy class which was increased to 32kg for Business and First Class passengers. Airlines such as Etihad and Emirates, however, were found to offer Economy passengers up to 30kg free of charge and Business and First class passengers up to 50kg free of charge.

Some of the carriers included in the research, including Air Canada, American Airlines and Iberia, allow customers to check-in one golf bag including 14 golf clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes as part of their baggage allowance. However some airlines charge passengers when travelling with equipment, with Aer Lingus charging £59 per bag, per flight when booked at the airport, BMI charging £30 per 20kg item and Monarch charging £25 for equipment up to 20kg.

Golfers should be careful when booking golf equipment on a flight as excess baggage charges may also apply, with Swiss Air charging a fixed fee of £30 per one way journey within Europe and £59 per one way journey intercontinental flights. 

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH),

visit www.aph.com or call 01342 859515.

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Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is the UK's award winning long stay airport parking operator and booking agency, after winning the Best Airport Parking Company for a third year running at the British Travel Awards 2012. This year APH also celebrates its 33rd year as a retailer and operator of pre-booked airport parking and travel extras. APH offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels packaged with parking and airport lounges. APH is also a carbon balanced company and has, through support of the World Land Trust, helped purchase more than 1,000 acres of endangered rainforest.

Notes to Editors

*Research by IAGTO, global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, carried out in April 2014.

Media Enqueries

Sarah Salord / Jessica Meins / McCluskey International / 020 8747 2170 / aph@mccluskey.co.uk