Originally Posted by
axolotl
My Bike Friday folder (20" wheels) is designed to pack into a hard plastic 62" suitcase (62" is the total of the 3 measurements). I've flown with it dozens of times, including many international flights. I've never had to pay any extra bike fees.
It's likely your Bike Friday is a bit newer than my Raleigh 20 (1970's?). The Raleigh ads typically mentioned smaller storage space in apartments, autos or occasionally boats, not air travel.
For me, the local commuter trains don't restrict travel hours for folding bicycles, and Amtrak is also much easier with a folding bicycle than a full size one (no extra fees, or train restrictions).
My experience with the flight was also that American was concerned with weight more than size. (The boxes were well under 126'') Fortunately most of the service representatives also realized there were no longer oversized charges, including all the ones actually checking my bicycle.