How environmentally unfriendly can the airlines get?!?!?

Bikers vent anger at new fees 28 July 2008 16:36 Age: 11 days Category: Travel Deals

No cheap choices for bikers who travel with their wheels on Thai Air Asia.

Previously, Thai AirAsia was a good choice for bikers who travel with their wheels to hit roads around Southeast Asia.  Not any more.

Now Air Thai AirAsia has slapped a charge on a sport or hobby that many would consider to be green and helps to reduce a traveller’s carbon footprint.

The recent change of policy means that Thai Air Asia hits cycling enthusiasts with a massive increase that doubles the transport fee for their bike.

However, it was noted that the airline stopped short of extracting a similar increase from golfers. Currently, only golf bags and surfboards are eligible for the old rate for sporting equipment -- Bt425 per set, if it is not over 15 kg and the excess subject to normal excess baggage rate — Bt165 for international routes.

Bikes and other equipments are weighed with luggage and included in the 15 kg free allowance. Any excess kg will be charged Bt165 per kg.

Sports equipment, less than 7kg, may be carried onboard, but only if it is considered safe enough for carriage onboard and if they can fit in the overhead baggage compartment.  Fold-away bikes are not eligible.

Thai AirAsia has, so far, failed to identify the new charge on its website, possibly in the hope that it can continue to attract business from cyclists, who are unaware of the change in policy.

A regular Thai Air Asia customer booked a fare to Hanoi, but was unaware of the new rule for cycles. His luggage checked in at 15 kg and his bike around 20 kg so instead of paying Bt1,250 extra, he paid over the odds approximately Bt3,300.

An airline executive explained that if passengers are carrying bikes or other sport gears, they should check with airline staff as there are no details on websites. Here are what other airlines charge.

Thai Airways International weighs your bikes with luggage, 20 kg free allowance. Anything exceeding that will subject to normal baggage charge. The rate is different from destination to destination; for example, Hanoi, Bt175 per kg while Ho Chi Minh City, Bt165 and Vientiane, Bt100. According to the call centre, the rate for Southeast Asia destinations will be in the same range.

Bangkok Airways also weighs everything in the baggage allowance, 20 kg. The excessive weight is subject to the normal rate (golf bag -- first 15 kg excessive baggage charged at 6 kg). The rate varries according to destinations.

Going to Malaysia on Malaysia Airlines?  The airline adopts the same procedure for bikes.

Travel to Singapore with Singapore Airlines and it is relatively cheaper. The bike will be weighed together with normal luggage. The first 15 kg of excess weight is equal to 6 Kg. The rate is SGD10 per kg or around Bt250.   

Indonesia’s national carrier, Garuda charges when exceeding the 20 kg free allowance at Bt350 per kg. Meanwhile, Myanmar Airways International allows 30 kg free allowance, bike included. The excessive luggage charge is Bt110 per kg.

With a 20kg allowance, Vietnam Airlines’ excess baggage fee is the same as THAI -- Bt175 per kg for Hanoi and Bt165, Ho Chi Minh City. Air France that operates flights to Hanoi and HCMC, charges a flat bike fee separate from the weight allowance on luggage at 40 euro, or Bt2,080,  per bike.