Read the airline's baggage policies carefully - very carefully... then read them again
Make sure you understand EXACTLY what they mean with:
Code Sharing
Sporting Goods
Oversized and Excess baggage
Piece and Weight concept
For international travel with a bicycle check out British Airways, Air France and Emirates... BUT "Beware Code sharing!!!"
Trying to circumnavigate airline's policies with arguments such as "it's only bike parts not a bicycle" or just having a charming smile used to work - past tense!!
Airlines even have the trump cards "At our discretion..." "For security and safety reasons... etc etc