twodeadpoets

Article originally found @ Lifehacker.com.

There is an excellent guide @ ibike.org (International Bicycle Fund) about airlines increased "nickel and dime" campaign, increasing prices while decreasing customer service. Cyclists are often harder hit even though their bikes are often lighter than most luggage checked by other (non cycling) customers while taking up no more room in cargo.

There's also info on who is bike friendly so you can support the best airlines.

spinnaker

So true. If you added the total weight of me, my bicycle and my panniers, I would wager that weighs far less than the weight of the average passenger and their luggage. In fact I would bet that the combined weight of my and my equipment is probably less or not that much more than the weight of the average passenger alone.

Machka 

Some airlines don't charge for bicycles at all. Scroll down, and have a look at the list of airlines.

https://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm

twodeadpoets

Sorry Machka beat me to it and already posted the ibike.org link over at the "Taking a bike on a plane???" thread so this thread is redundant now (sorry).

Machka 

That's OK, I've posted that ibike link on just about every "bicycles on airplanes" thread that has started anywhere here on BF for the past 3 years or so. It doesn't hurt to post it again, because there are, evidently, still some people who don't know about it.

spinnaker

Much of the information is out of date. I checked on 2-3 airlines at the actual airline website and the table was incorrect for every one I checked.

Machka 

Then let them know.

To quote the site:
"The following is the best information we have. The airlines don't notify us when they raise their tariffs or change rules. If you have information that differs from the chart below please email it to us at "ibike@" our domain name. For a complete report on flying with or shipping your bike see www.ibike.org/flying.htm ."