quester

I'm thinking of flying on southwest this summer, hopefully carrying my bike.

This policy does not specify a limit for the oversize $50 box.


This one does: 80 linear inches. Now 80 linear inches is smaller than any bike box I've seen available online (for non-folding bikes), and smaller than fedex's threshold where the prices start going up (they go up slowly to 90 inches, and then jump at 91).

Anyone use southwest with a non-folding bike recently?

valygrl

2 weeks ago I flew my road bike on Southwest in a hard-sided bike case (External Case Dimensions: 45 x 34 x 11.5") it was $50 each way (not each leg of the flight - no extra for plane changes).

The didn't measure it, just looked at it, said "Bike?" I said yes, they charged me $50.

3 years ago I flew Southwest with my touring bike in a cardboard XL bike box from a bike shop, same deal - $50 / leg.

jcostanz

I didn't fly with southwest but with Delta several years ago. I was able to have a cardboard box made that fit my recumbent in at just under 80 linear inches. The bike box was over 50 pounds and the bag that contained my gear for a week long tour was probably oversized and overweight. I flew from Buffalo and the ticket agent just charged me for overweight on one item. On the return leg I was charged for overweight and oversized on just 1 item. I believe that your experience would depend on the ticket agent at checkin.

When I was looking at flying, all airlines have a 80" max for checked luggage or would not say that they accepted bicycles at all.

Good luck

escii_35

I've flown SW a few times with my bike and currently, for luggage, they are the most lenient.

On the last trip I split 110 lbs of junk (end of 5 month journey) between a 26x26x10 case and a large duffle. I paid the $25 overage and that was all.

If you can divide the bike between two "Legal" bags 62in L+W+H its all free unlike some other airlines which limit you to one bag.

PS: I think I'm 5 of 7 for TSA searches on the bike box. ARRRRGH!*%$#. I wonder if I put a bike not bombs on the outside what would happen.

quester

They'd probably lead you a way for inappropriate humor....

I might try splitting between two boxes, though, I think that could work.