Bike-friendly Airlines
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Bike-friendly Airlines
Reading another thread brought this topic up. I don't need this info now, but could well need it in the future! What airlines would y'all recommend for traveling with a bike? Which ones would you suggest avoiding?
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"Bike friendly airline" is a bit of an oxymoron, at least for US carriers. Southwest used to charge lower fees, but I'm not so sure that is the case anymore. The airlines seem to be deliberately sending a message to cyclists loud and clear -- "we don't want to carry your bikes" -- and the added security issues stemming from 9-11 have not helped.
#5
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"Bike friendly airline" is a bit of an oxymoron, at least for US carriers. Southwest used to charge lower fees, but I'm not so sure that is the case anymore. The airlines seem to be deliberately sending a message to cyclists loud and clear -- "we don't want to carry your bikes" -- and the added security issues stemming from 9-11 have not helped.
I think Frontier is the same.
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Unless there were logistical hurdles, like ground transportation of a boxed bike, I would fly with my bike if I were flying Southwest or Frontier rather than ship it. Did just that for Cycle Oregon a few years ago.
OP: The highest I have seen is $200 (U.S. Airways) and $175 (United). In that situation, I would look into shipping domestically. Earlier this year I shipped via FedEx using Bikeflights.com. $73 each way with LBS pickup from Philly to Missoula. That was for an estimated weight of 90 lbs. for the bike, bike box, racks, stove and empty fuel bottle. Had I actually take the time to get a realistic weight, it would have been cheaper. Also, taking it to the FedEx store myself would have saved me the $5 pick up fee. I was flying United, so I saved myself $100 each way. I used that cash to have the bike assembled and tuned for me at both ends.
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Yeah. That's not bad as domestic airlines go. The last I checked, Frontier charged nothing extra for the bike. You just had to pay the standard checked bag fee, which I think was $35 for the first and $25 for second. That may have changed.
Unless there were logistical hurdles, like ground transportation of a boxed bike, I would fly with my bike if I were flying Southwest or Frontier rather than ship it. Did just that for Cycle Oregon a few years ago.
OP: The highest I have seen is $200 (U.S. Airways) and $175 (United). In that situation, I would look into shipping domestically. Earlier this year I shipped via FedEx using Bikeflights.com. $73 each way with LBS pickup from Philly to Missoula. That was for an estimated weight of 90 lbs. for the bike, bike box, racks, stove and empty fuel bottle. Had I actually take the time to get a realistic weight, it would have been cheaper. Also, taking it to the FedEx store myself would have saved me the $5 pick up fee. I was flying United, so I saved myself $100 each way. I used that cash to have the bike assembled and tuned for me at both ends.
Unless there were logistical hurdles, like ground transportation of a boxed bike, I would fly with my bike if I were flying Southwest or Frontier rather than ship it. Did just that for Cycle Oregon a few years ago.
OP: The highest I have seen is $200 (U.S. Airways) and $175 (United). In that situation, I would look into shipping domestically. Earlier this year I shipped via FedEx using Bikeflights.com. $73 each way with LBS pickup from Philly to Missoula. That was for an estimated weight of 90 lbs. for the bike, bike box, racks, stove and empty fuel bottle. Had I actually take the time to get a realistic weight, it would have been cheaper. Also, taking it to the FedEx store myself would have saved me the $5 pick up fee. I was flying United, so I saved myself $100 each way. I used that cash to have the bike assembled and tuned for me at both ends.
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#9
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bike flew free, SAS .. SeaTac to AMS via CPH . but Horizon charged for the connecting flight from EUG To SeaTac..
it was 20 years ago so Id ask your travel agent for an update.
it was 20 years ago so Id ask your travel agent for an update.
#10
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My wife and I flew from L.A. to Tokyo on Air Canada. Bikes cost $100US each bike, each way and we had no problems at all with the AC staff. They were very helpful on both ends.
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Read this site: Airline Baggage Regulations For Bicycles
Then, if you are planning to fly somewhere ...
1) Check the baggage regulations of the airline(s) of your choice. Note that airlines change their regulations all the time, and if the last time you flew was a year or two or five ago ... things have changed. And if you book a flight and then 2 months later, you're getting ready to go ... check the baggage regulations again. They may have changed in that 2 months.
2) Be sure to look at the bicycle-specific baggage information. There once was a time when it was cheaper to claim that the bicycle was "art" or "miscellaneous sports equipment" or something. Now it is cheaper to claim it is what it is ... a bicycle.
3) Your full-sized bicycle will be oversized. There's no way around it. So you've got a choice ... pay the bicycle fee or pay the oversized fee. The oversized fee is usually more.
4) If you get to the airport early, if you're the first person in line, if you are super friendly to the check-in person .... you may possibly get a break on the price.
But if you're really rude and obnoxious about it, the check-in person may possibly charge you the bicycle fee, the oversized fee, and if possible the overweight fee. You could end up paying a fortune.
5) Also note that many airlines are starting to charge for the first piece of luggage, and even more for a second piece. They are also lowering their weight limits. It's getting harder and more expensive to bring any luggage on a trip.
Then, if you are planning to fly somewhere ...
1) Check the baggage regulations of the airline(s) of your choice. Note that airlines change their regulations all the time, and if the last time you flew was a year or two or five ago ... things have changed. And if you book a flight and then 2 months later, you're getting ready to go ... check the baggage regulations again. They may have changed in that 2 months.
2) Be sure to look at the bicycle-specific baggage information. There once was a time when it was cheaper to claim that the bicycle was "art" or "miscellaneous sports equipment" or something. Now it is cheaper to claim it is what it is ... a bicycle.
3) Your full-sized bicycle will be oversized. There's no way around it. So you've got a choice ... pay the bicycle fee or pay the oversized fee. The oversized fee is usually more.
4) If you get to the airport early, if you're the first person in line, if you are super friendly to the check-in person .... you may possibly get a break on the price.
But if you're really rude and obnoxious about it, the check-in person may possibly charge you the bicycle fee, the oversized fee, and if possible the overweight fee. You could end up paying a fortune.
5) Also note that many airlines are starting to charge for the first piece of luggage, and even more for a second piece. They are also lowering their weight limits. It's getting harder and more expensive to bring any luggage on a trip.
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On our flight from Sydney to Auckland to Los Angeles to Vancouver a couple days ago, we were each allowed ONE piece of checked luggage below the 62" total dimension (length + width + height) and within 23 kg ... and ONE piece of carry-on luggage within 7 kg. That was it.
A second piece of checked luggage would have cost $200.
A second piece of carry-on would have been taken from us and checked ... at $200.
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Last edited by Machka; 09-16-14 at 11:32 PM.
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This topic is frequently discussed.
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Yeah ... things have changed dramatically in 20 years.
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One problem I came across was with check-in subcontractors insisting on some regulation that the airline's website didn't specify. In my case not boxing my bike and finding the check-in clerk on the return journey (from Lyon, France) trying to tell me I needed to go away find a box and box it all within an hour. I challenged her on this and she backed down but I could see someone accepting it.
Might be a good idea to carry a print out of the bike carriage conditions.
For Aer Lingus flights operating to/from North America, Sports Equipment is carried as part of the standard free baggage allowance, excess baggage rates of €75/$100 apply if the passenger carries excess to the free allowance. This fee is charged per passenger, per direction.
For all other Aer Lingus flights, Sports Equipment is subject to a fee of €30 or equivalent payable online prior to departure; or a fee of €40 or equivalent payable through our reservations centre or at the airport on the day of departure. This fee is charged per passenger, per direction.
For all other Aer Lingus flights, Sports Equipment is subject to a fee of €30 or equivalent payable online prior to departure; or a fee of €40 or equivalent payable through our reservations centre or at the airport on the day of departure. This fee is charged per passenger, per direction.
Before transportation of bicycles, the handlebars shall be lowered and fixed sideways, the pressure of the tyres reduced to avoid any problems in the unlikely event of pressurisation changes during flight and, if possible, invert the pedals.
When necessary, sharp projective parts should be protected with plastic or cardboard to avoid damage to other load.
From Amsterdam boxes will be provided at a fee of €20.00.
Sports Equipment - Aer Lingus
When necessary, sharp projective parts should be protected with plastic or cardboard to avoid damage to other load.
From Amsterdam boxes will be provided at a fee of €20.00.
Sports Equipment - Aer Lingus
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"Bike friendly airline" is a bit of an oxymoron, at least for US carriers. Southwest used to charge lower fees, but I'm not so sure that is the case anymore. The airlines seem to be deliberately sending a message to cyclists loud and clear -- "we don't want to carry your bikes" -- and the added security issues stemming from 9-11 have not helped.
Friendly and Airline are an oxymoron...
My bride is a 30+ year survivor of the "not so friendly skies".
I used to fly for work, now it if is under a long day's drive... I drive.
Aaron
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
#17
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After looking at some of the prices airlines charge, I wonder if it might not be easier and cheaper to buy a cheap bike at your destination. In France, Decathalon, the big sporting goods chain, sells some bikes for € 99 to € 159. They might be suitable for a tour, but obviously not for performance riding. But you don't risk damage to your favorite bike by luggage handlers.
It would also be nice to be able to rent a good bike at your destination, but the logistics and such would be enormous because of variation in frame size and equipment. I think some organized tour companies will provide a bike, but I don't know if such a service exists for independant riders.
It would also be nice to be able to rent a good bike at your destination, but the logistics and such would be enormous because of variation in frame size and equipment. I think some organized tour companies will provide a bike, but I don't know if such a service exists for independant riders.
#18
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After looking at some of the prices airlines charge, I wonder if it might not be easier and cheaper to buy a cheap bike at your destination. In France, Decathalon, the big sporting goods chain, sells some bikes for € 99 to € 159. They might be suitable for a tour, but obviously not for performance riding. But you don't risk damage to your favorite bike by luggage handlers.
It would also be nice to be able to rent a good bike at your destination, but the logistics and such would be enormous because of variation in frame size and equipment. I think some organized tour companies will provide a bike, but I don't know if such a service exists for independant riders.
It would also be nice to be able to rent a good bike at your destination, but the logistics and such would be enormous because of variation in frame size and equipment. I think some organized tour companies will provide a bike, but I don't know if such a service exists for independant riders.
Unfortunately, that means carting the bike on an aircraft - and the other equipment needed for the trip. Some LCC lines allow you to pay reasonable amounts for extra baggage and sporting equipment (ie Air AsiaX) while other regular fare airlines actually hose bicyclists on some routes (Royal Brunei wanted $86 AUD per kilo between Melbourne and Dubai recently). Cheaper to use an unaccompanied baggage forwarding firm... which is what was done ($7.10per kg plus fees).
Who said bicycling was cheap?
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I weighed in a boxed bike at the check-in and accidently had one end of the box still on the baggage trolley. This reduced the weight of the bike by half and saved the excess baggage charges.
In the good old days; all sports equipment was carried free by all airlines. I remember waiting in a check-in line behind a tall thin man carrying a 12 foot long cardboard tube.
"Are you a pole-vaulter?" I asked.
"No, I'm German, but how did you know my name was Walter?" he replied.
In the good old days; all sports equipment was carried free by all airlines. I remember waiting in a check-in line behind a tall thin man carrying a 12 foot long cardboard tube.
"Are you a pole-vaulter?" I asked.
"No, I'm German, but how did you know my name was Walter?" he replied.
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This is why we've gone with folders.
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#21
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Lufthansa allowed us to fly without boxing our bikes. They did charge $150 for the bikes, but we rode our bikes to the airport, walked our bikes to the ticket counter, took off the panniers, handed over our bikes, and received our claim tickets. Yes, there was a new chip on my bike, but I'm not much of a mechanic, so it was a small price to pay to avoid the hassles and expense of boxing, or of putting a bike together after 20 hours in transit. I left my Bordo lock on the bike where it always lives, and somehow the lock didn't make it home with the bike. Lufthansa couldn't find it, and sent me a check to cover the cost.
Virgin Atlantic also allows you to ship unboxed bikes.
Virgin Atlantic also allows you to ship unboxed bikes.
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Lufthansa allowed us to fly without boxing our bikes. They did charge $150 for the bikes, but we rode our bikes to the airport, walked our bikes to the ticket counter, took off the panniers, handed over our bikes, and received our claim tickets. Yes, there was a new chip on my bike, but I'm not much of a mechanic, so it was a small price to pay to avoid the hassles and expense of boxing, or of putting a bike together after 20 hours in transit. I left my Bordo lock on the bike where it always lives, and somehow the lock didn't make it home with the bike. Lufthansa couldn't find it, and sent me a check to cover the cost.
Virgin Atlantic also allows you to ship unboxed bikes.
Virgin Atlantic also allows you to ship unboxed bikes.
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#24
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We flew from the US to Europe in early June, and home in early August. When we changed planes in Munich, we saw the baggage handlers wheel the bikes up the conveyor belt into the belly of the plane. We hadn't quite believed Lufthansa's stated policy, so before we bought our tickets, we rode out to the airport and talked to the ground staff. They were quite matter of fact. They'll take the bikes in a box or a bag if you'd rather, and in fact, there was also a boxed bike on our flight, but they don't require boxes. My partner's bike would have been oversized in a box, so for him, it was better not to box!
#25
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Bike-friendly Airlines
British Airways is my goto airline. If your bike box weighs under 23kg and you have no other checked luggage, it goes for free.