Bacciagalupe

I've used folding bikes for awhile, and am riding more and more with good ol' 700c'ed bikes. I just picked up a Surly Cross-Check, with the intention of touring on it. I fly with my bike maybe once a year these days.

Since I haven't sold the folder yet, I'm curious as to whether I should worry about the fees at all, or just try my luck. I figure this highly scientific method should give me all the guidance I need.

eric von zipper

I've only flown once w/bike and didn't get charged. The people at the check in counter had no idea whether to charge me or not. It ended up being not. I had the bike in a box, one checked bag and one carry on. I think I got lucky.

Machka 

Well, since January 2007, you should get nailed every single time. If you don't, keep quiet and count yourself extremely lucky.

Have a look at a website I've posted here several times. It explains the whole thing:
https://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm


The old policy (pre-Jan 2007) was that if you flew internationally you would not be charged, but if you flew domestically, you would be charged. But times have changed.

Oh, you'll also want to look up both the website of the airline you're travelling with, and the airports you are flying out of and landing in. The airlines and airports sometimes have different regulations regarding luggage, expecially carry-on luggage.

raybo

Ultimately, this is why I had S&S couplers installed on my bike. The bike can be disassembled into a standard, though large suitcase that travels as (padded) luggage. Unfortunately, the racks, camping gear, and biking clothes have to travel in separate case. While I haven't been charged for extra luggage yet, it does force an economy of packing.

It takes about 1.5 hours each to disassemble and reassemble the bike and a way to get the cases forward to the last stop. So far, my wife has delivered the cases, in fact, it works out that I get to ride there on a bike and meet my wife who likes to fly in.

I realize that getting the couplers installed, either by the factory or retrofit, can be expensive but you get it all back by saving on luggage fees. I'm about break-even now after having the couplers since 2005.

Ray

HauntedMyst

I've only flow once with a bike and they nailed me for it. My ticket was $145 round trip. The bike cost $150 round trip - that was more than a little frustrating.

smurfy

Well SOMEBODY has to make up for these cheap teaser fares that I'm sure the airlines lose money on. Your bike will fork over the cash!

markw

Flew last year on Southwest, bike was free. They allow 3 checked bags. 1 box was seat/bars/wheels, and a skibag held the frame. No extra charge. Check the carrier, but more and more Bacchetta riders are using the sporttube to carry the frame and parts with the wheel/seat separated. Hmm, comfy bike, and it flies free.

tim24k

When I fly I always take my Dahon Speed TR 24 and pack it in the Dahon Airporter case. It works good no worries!

Ciao,
Timothy

Machka 

Yes, but that was LAST YEAR. Everything changed on January 1, 2007. See the website I posted in my post above.

Cornchops

I've flown with a bike once, my wife and I, and we were supposed to get charged at check-in. But we didn't. Either way. But I think maybe they had just started charging then, and maybe weren't used to it. That was Air Canada.

balsingh

Damn American Airlines. They didn't charge me on the way out (to France), but leaving Paris, they nailed me with a nice 30 euro fee. Always a great way to end a tour.

becnal

Cause I don't fly with my bike.

Turd Ferguson

I called Westjet earlier this week to plan a Florida trip and they do not charge extra for bicycles. The only stipulation is that the bike be boxed or bagged.

TruckerMike

Thanks Charlene for posting the link to the current rules...I think you put it well when you said "count yourself extremely lucky". Clearly these good luck stories are the exception and the rest of us have to expect to pay....unless we use some foresight when we are choosing a frame. The Surly Travelers Check gives you the option of a folding frame for a pretty reasonable price ~$1,000. At that point, you can make all these airline fees a distant memory. Also, because your luggage is not oversize, one could argue that it is less likely to be delayed in transit.

See Travelers Check photos here

Machka 

I'll just add something here too ... I recently flew to Europe and back with my bicycle, and discovered that the amount we may be charged varies quite a bit. There doesn't seem to be any definite and absolute regulations on that, it depends a lot on the airline, airport, and person serving you behind the counter. I was charged less on my way over to Europe, and more on my way back.

My suggestion would be to be very nice and friendly and polite to the person behind the desk, right from the moment you step up to the desk. I did this on my way out, and when she charged me, she charged me the lowest amount she possibly could ... and apologized for it. On the way back it was so incredibly busy at Heathrow, I think they were just charging the standard amount no matter what.

Turd Ferguson

Machka, if you've flown Air Canada have you ever used their plastic wrap that they supply (with limited waiver), or do you always supply your own bike box?

NoReg

I have used their plastic bag, several times, without a problem. Not recently though. The problem with boxes is people feel entitled to place them flat and pack on top of them. When I came back from my recent trip via VIA rail, they brought all the checked luggage out on a trailer, with my bike box used as a pallet for all the other luggage. No damage to my bike, but if I knew what the inside box dimension was, I would make some triangular cardboard pilars to support the field of my box with.

Machka 

I have either picked up a cardboard box from a LBS and packed my bicycle in that, or bought a box from whatever airline I was flying with. I've never used the plastic wrap.