If I'm reading this correctly it seems Qantas is changing it's excess baggage charges from paying by the kg to paying $20 per extra piece up to a maximum of two pieces ( not sure if it's two extra pieces plus your first piece or two pieces total) Anyway, it's good news for taking gear. www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/prepaid-additional-baggage/global/en
I know between Cairns and Perth Jetstar can't fit my windsurf gear, can Qantas.
I have been flying Virgin who allow 28kg if you have sports gear, that's 56kg if you have a travel partner. If on my own I wack all my clothes etc into a backpack and take 1 board 2 sails etc as baggage. The downside is Virgin don't fly direct so I have to go via Brisbane or Sydney 
If Qantas has cheap enough flights and can fit my gear in I'll be happy 
Hm... not sure about this the following:
"For tickets issued from 1 December 2010 for travel from 1 June 2011 an Additional Baggage Allowance may be purchased in advance with a charge applied per piece - an Additional Baggage Allowance of a maximum of two pieces at 23kg per piece per flight may be purchased in advance. Note: a maximum weight of 23kg applies for each piece. Additional pieces over the allowance will be subject to Airport Excess Baggage charges."
interprets as follows:
Piece one $20 max weight 23 kgs
Piece two $20 max weight 23 kgs
Piece three and more needs to purchased at airport and normal per kg excess baggage charges apply. It doesn't seem to list the per kg charges for flights after June 1, 2011 on the page.
In addition the maximum weight for domestic baggage seems to be now 23 kgs instead the 32 kgs it used to be.
But the information on this page somewhat contradicts the above:
www.qantas.com/travel/airlines/checked-baggage/global/en
maybe someone can confirm this once the new rules actually start taking effect.
Select to expand quotefiriebob said...
I know between Cairns and Perth Jetstar can't fit my windsurf gear, can Qantas.
Jetstar only have small (sub 2 m length) containers that all baggage goes into - hence no gear allowed
I discovered this when %^NTASS (who my ticket was booked with) redirected me onto a Jetstar flight and then wouldnt take my sail. I bought the sail after checking the Qantas website - a few days prior to the flight they rang and told me that we would be put on a Jetstar flight instead. No dramas I thought
Jetstar's customer service and baggies were not even remotely helpfull as I was stuck at 4.00am ( arrived 2 hrs early so as to get the difficult luggage in early) in the morning with a carrier who would not take my sail and would not help me place it somewhere for pick up via a courier( due to security they kept saying) even though the ticket I originally paid for (Qantas) allowed me to take such equipment on the flight.
Letters to Qantas have yielded zilch.
The sail is still in the brother in laws shed in Brissie after I got him out of bed to come and get it - Jetstar cabin crew were great at leaving the gate open for as long as possible to allow me to get on board
Ok I just checked Virgins web site, no mention of free 5kg for sporting gear any more, they will take baggage up to 3m but can't guarantee same flight but I've never had a problem, excess baggage (over 23) is charged at $15 per Kg.
So for me Cairns to Perth. Virgin no direct so long flight and at lest an extra $100 for baggage, doable if flight is cheap. Jetstar cheap and direct but no can do windsurf gear. Qantas direct but more expensive ticket but baggage should be cheaper, but I wouldn't want Ben 555's drama which is always on the cards. Might have to take the wife for a holiday
None of this will matter I guess if the sun's shining and the winds blowing
Edit, you beat me Nova while I was two finger typing and trying to think, slow old b*stard 
Yeah apparently jetstar lease out the bulk storage area of the domestic planes for freight, and they dont have access to loading facilities for it.
If its an international jetstar flight they do take gear. (well they did a few years ago).
Virgin are pretty good, but the seats are torture on the longer flights. Qantas planes are pretty rickety as are the hostesses, but they offer much more comfortable service, which makes up a little for the nerves that kick in when things go wrong on the plane. Generally more expensive too.
From the trips I've done, it generally takes longer on Qantas to get there- either there is a takeoff delay (probably changing out an engine or two that wouldnt start), or the baggage handler at the destination gets a bit tired and it can be a long wait for luggage. Still I think I'll pick Qantas next time especially if they do that $xx per extra bag deal.
Ben 555- spewing about the jetstar baggage unhelpfulness. Thats a nightmare story.
Thanks slowy - but it was just a small piece of a nightmare trip - we took our 2 kids 5,7 travel to India then put them in the bus from hell for 14 hours into the mountains - we all get sick - arrive check emails - find out father in law is seriously ill - book taxi straight away and return 12 hrs to Delhi after only a shower and something to eat. Arrive back in oz - nurse father in law to health
So in context the sail was nothing -
Back on topic - I would love to have two weeks in the west as a sailing holiday but am scared off by the fact that getting gear over to WA would be $$$$$$ - suggestions anyone
Maybe an int jetstar flight sydney to perth?? other suggestions
Does anyone just ship their gear across with a courier a few days before they go then pick it up on the other side.
I know you can do Depot to depot shipping where they will hold it at their storage facility till you get there,
This would be pretty cool as you wont have to drag it thru airports and deal with all the asociated headaches plus gives you plenty of time to go sort out transport at other end before you go and collect it.
jetstar wont take gear domestic because they use airbus 320's and the cargo bins they use wont fit anything over 1.90m. its not that they wont its becasue they cant. Bunch of carnts!! International jetstar use a330 which is fine. jetstar will nail you if you go over the 20kg limit or dont pre purchase enough so jump on the scales with your gear and pack your clothes in the carry on. There is 7kg there to play with for free. leave the downhaul tool and screw drivers at home.
i'd still try my luck with virgin depending on the route, the cost and how much stuff youve got. play dumb and smile!
From Perth to cns its a no brainer qantas goes via alice and takes 5 hours. virgin via bris syd or melb and up to 10hrs. the difference in cost of the ticket you spend drinking or eating anyway. id rather pay a bit more and go straight there.
Becasuse I booked my ticket last year they allowed me to fly with the extra 5kg. Coming from Syd to Perth, I think virgin charged me $15/kg over weight so it cost me $30. After having to pay $200 from syd to hon with less weight i was pretty happy to fork out the cash.
Yup... having Qantas Club membership will save you all of $20 on domestic flights per segment. So it's $60 to fly from Sydney to Perth with two 32 kg bags... that's basically two boards and 3 sails plus masts / booms etc. .
Still better than the $160 I paid last time for each segment.
i think it only apply's to domestic
im in the process of booking a flight to the UK im taking my mountain bike with me. total weight of bike in its bag is 21kg
Wanted to book with BA as the have a bike allowance of about $60 but because they are partnered with Qantas the fee doesn't apply in Aus so Qantas will charge me on checking but they wont pre tell me how much.
As i make out the cost for an extra bag is $20 +extra for any weight over your allowed 23Kgs
Here's the price list
Pre-Purchased Additional Baggage Allowance (AUD)
5kg 10kg 15kg 25kg 35kg
Australian Domestic (For tickets issued before 1 Dec 2010 for travel before 1 Jun 2011) $35 $70 $105 $175 $245
Australian Domestic (For tickets issued on/after 1 Dec 2010 for travel commencing on/after 1 Jun 2011) $20 per piece up to 23kg per piece
International (New Zealand) $35 $70 $105 $175 $245
International mid-haul (Asia & Noumea) $122.50 $245 $367.50 $612.50 $857.50
International long-haul other than Americas^
(Europe and South Africa) $175 $350 $525 $875 $1,225
International long-haul - The Americas^ $105 per piece up to 23kg per piece
So as i see it they could charge me $875 + $20 one way for my bike.
Im now booking Emirates as they will give my 30kg + 7kg hand luggage
