 Poster: A snowHead
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This is for the Birthday Bash and WUW in Alleghe, though the questions a pretty general. I live in the North. I have to work Friday, so Sat-Sat flights are my only option, and there's not time to get to a far away airport (like Gatwick). Realistic options are Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, and Doncaster. For Venice MP, I usually go KLM via Schipol, but as I am travelling alone and can't split the cost of my ski bag, the price is coming in at £305  (For 2 weeks, I have to be realistic about my luggage, so I will be bringing a ski bag with 2 pairs of skis in, and a suitcase to go in the hold).
So I've not used them before but Swiss are coming in at £174 (Classic includes 1x 23kg bag and skis, right?) Do I need to tell them about the skis, or just turn up? Are they likely to notice or care that I have 2 pairs?
Lufthansa are about the same price as Swiss (I think the outbound flight would be the same Swiss operated one) and I understand have a similar ski baggage policy? But I have to phone them? Any advantages to booking Lufthansa over Swiss, or vice versa?
Also, I'm struggling with the flight times (I'm not used to having a choice!  ). KLM arrive at 11.40 or 16.55 and depart at 17.40, so that works out well for the buses. The others are in between and a bit of a toss up between rushing through the airport (I'm fine with this) and sitting around for 4 hours (I'm not fine with this)! Not many people have put their details up yet, so it's hard to work out.
Anyone got any info on the above, or any better ideas?
Thanks
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I booked flights with Swiss, apparently you can just show up with skis, but i did email them and they've added a note to our booking.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Swiss...yes just pitch up
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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You get chocolate on Swiss
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@EarthWindandWater, @holidayloverxx, Thanks for confirming. Do they care what's in the bag?
@anarchicsaltire, Swiss 1, Lufthansa 0 so far then 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Scarlet, never known them to care - weigh it, tag it, take it to oversize luggage belt
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I flew with Swiss to the PSB. They didn't ask what was in the ski bag, just weighed it.
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@Themasterpiece, Good to know. I'm actually fine with the asking, as the answer is "skis", it's more if they start having a look and find thing like more skis, a shovel and goodness knows what else.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Scarlet, a few years ago, a snowHead had his skibag opened by Swiss at Geneva (on the way back to London) and he had to remove some things from it, possibly avi kit, I can't remember exactly. So it can happen, but you'd be unlucky if it did.
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That's very unlucky. For Swiss it does say "pair of skis". My bag only had one pair of skis but was stuffed full of other stuff, including avi gear. For Lufthansa it just says ski baggage, so doesn't seem to restrict to one pair.
For avi gear how else are you supposed to take it? I doubt they'd let you take a shovel on as hand luggage.
If I really needed to take two pairs, personally I'd chance it. If asked I'd say there's a pair of skis and some clothes. And if they actually looked I guess you could put one pair in an airport locker if it really came to it?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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^^ I've also had Swiss remove airbag canisters from mine and a friends ski bags (after we had checked at check-in that they were packed correctly and were allowed).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Themasterpiece, I could probably fit my shovel into my main bag, but normally just pack it with the skis. My boots go in my main bag too, so there isn't loads of room. I'd probably pay the excess rather than leave them behind if it came to it, unless it was ridiculously high. But if Lufthansa don't care and the flight is Swiss operated anyway, maybe that's a better bet, assuming they also carry skis free.
@clarky999, who removed them? Oversized baggage people? Though no airbag for me so it's not something I'm going to worry about at this point, but it doesn't seem very skier friendly 
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@Scarlet, Lufthansa have (in theory) a limited number of ski spaces per flight, so best to phone them to check there is availability. Otherwise, no difference to Swiss. I took a double bag as my luggage to the PSB (skis, boots, clothes) on a combination of both, no questions asked.
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You know it makes sense.
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@mgrolf, phone before booking? There seems to be little logic in the policy – obviously a plane only has so much hold space, but if both companies are taking bookings for the same flight, it seems daft that Lufthansa might tell you no room for skis while Swiss accept them at check in regardless
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Scarlet, who said there was logic involved? Lufthansa actually recommended that I phone Swiss too, to confirm...Swiss were somewhat confused when I did, and said there was no need, if I had a ticket there would be space.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Flown LH a lot: we've always phoned in advance as that's what they ask, but it's just a formality and they never question at the gate. (Although the Heathrow staff are sometimes a bit clueless, but maybe they're not actual LH employees)
In fact their allowance includes a boot bag as well as ski bag although that's not very clear from the website wording
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I called Lufthansa and said my bag would have 2 pairs of skis in. The agent said that it didn't matter as long as weighed less than 23kg.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@SCollier1, Lufthansa now sounding like the more promising bet then. Thanks. I'll ring them once I've booked.
So I just need to sort out the flight times.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have used both. Proper airlines before lite fares came in. There was nothing to choose between them: 23 kg + skis. The flight timings are the important bit. I quite liked the chocolate on Swiss and the beer and sausage lunch on Lufthansa.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I'm flying Lufthansa to Japan in Feb, I rang and booked my board bag and the lady on the phone was lovely and very helpful, as my connecting flight to Sapporo is with ANA she even rang them up for me and called me back a few days later to confirm that it was all booked on for those two flights too.
1 thing I would consider though is Lufthansa pilots have been striking recently, I'm obviously keeping a keen eye on it but beware of possible further disruption.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Minion1980, thanks for the tip. Hopefully if I'm booking on to the Swiss operated flights through Lufthansa, that won't be a problem.
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FAQ
