Don't know if it applies to where you are planning to go, but Sydney-Honolulu or West Coast USA-Honolulu (or vice versa), Hawaiian Airlines (B-767) will take good care of your gear. If you plan on going to Hawaii and travelling between the islands to surf, Hawaiian and Aloha (B-717 & B-737) both take great care of boards; for visiting the smaller islands, Island Air (DHC-8) will carry a board up to 8 feet no problem. The other interisland carriers Pacific Wings (Cessna Caravan) and go! Airlines (CRJ-200) did not carry surfboards last time I checked.