Originally Posted by Greenpen

And a more helpful reply.

I once wanted to take an inflatable lift raft on BA. I telephoned some where or other to check whether it was permissible and it was. A last minute change of plan meant I flew VS and I never contacted them to check, assuming one airline was much the same as the next. At check in VS noticed the bag was not quite normal and initially told me it wasn't allowed as baggage but when I fussed they then checked with someone else and I got the okay.

Guess a liferaft would cause more of a problem than a mattress if it were to escape!