Airline baggage fee for skis?

Do airlines now charge baggage fees for skis? International travel on American Airlines allows two free 50lb bags, but it sounds like skis are not included in that free allowance. Can anyone describe their recent (2014) US and international air travel costs with skis? Thanks.

Check the airlines height/width/length info Silas. I'm sure ski's probably fall into the not normal category and will probably not be allowed for free.

Or you could call customer service too, probably the fastest and most accurate way.

I think Virgin Atlantic might be the only airline which allows odd-sized sporting equipment free of additional fees.

Southwest is the best I have found for domestic flights. Skis just count as one of your free pieces of luggage.

From the AA.com website ...

SKIS: WATER OR SNOW / SNOWBOARDS
Allowance/Requirements
See below for travel to, through or from Brazil.*

One pair of skis/snowboard and one bag containing a pair of ski /board boots only

Cost
One pair of skis/snowboard and one boot bag containing only boots/bindings will be treated as a single item with the applicable checked bag charge.
Boot bag must not exceed 45 linear inches (length + width + height) and must contain only boots/bindings. Boot bags that contain other articles will be subject to the excess baggage charge for a single piece.
Maximum Weight and Size
One pair of skis/snowboard up to 126 inches and one boot bag containing boots/bindings only and not to exceed 45 dimensional inches (length + width + height)

Additional Information
Lighters or torches for applying ski wax are considered dangerous goods and are not allowed in checked or carry-on baggage
*For travel to, through or from Brazil

Once your free bag allowance is exceeded, ski equipment (snow or aquatic) is 33% of Brazil’s excess bag (4+) charge:

For tickets purchased before April 8, 2014: $24.75.
For tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2014: $28.05.

Thanks for the chapters and verses. It all seems to be subject to onsite agent interpretation. I was hoping to learn of individual actual experience. Please pm if you'd rather not post.