An update.

Earlier this week I did ring SAS again, with a view to making a ‘special baggage’ request just to be on the safe side. Bags larger than the SAS limit count as special baggage, but the website asks you to ring up, rather than use the on-line form if your special baggage isn’t in the list (of mostly sports equipment)

(I’ve just looked up innebandy @East_and_West, I thought it was a typo! )

The agent I got this time was quite definite that the Etihad baggage rules would apply and also checked with her supervisor who said the same thing. She said (as other posters have reassuringly done on this thread) that I will not encounter any problems and the check-in agents will be aware of the rules.

It’s a shame I didn’t get someone as confident/knowledgeable the first time around. (A case of HUACAUYGTAYW - hang up and call again until you get the answer you want. )