So my wife, MJ, took this picture this week at PDX, Portland OR. The passenger was in a hurry so she only got limited information. What she did get was the man wheels the bike down the jet-way and leaves it where child seats and strollers are collected before boarding. When arriving the bike is waiting for him as he exits the jet-way into the terminal. The bike is neither boxed or bagged – just folded as shown. We don’t know what airlines he was on and if this service is universally available or not? Are there weight or size limits (compactness)?

Does anyone know more about flying with a folder as non-checked baggage? I would think it would have to fit through the security scanners.

Check the FAQ, this is an exact example of what is described there.
https://www.bikeforums.net/folding-bikes/662536-new-folding-bikes-can-t-choose-read-first.html

It would be interesting to know how that person "negotiates" with the flight staff to get it gate checked to prevent them from "chucking a wobbly"..lol

I am wondering how he is transporting his luggage-trolley when he is using the bike. The bike is a Brompton L-version w/o rack plus he seems to have an additional laptop bag or alike along with the trolley.

Regarding Bromptons as carry-on: This seems to be possible at least sometimes in the US, the easier if you fly business or first:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/bromptononboard/

I do not think that this is possible inside Europe and would not like to try.

I spoke to a young guy who had retired. He travells with partner and 2 birdies. Touring afline versions. For years al he does I buy local clingfilm and wrap the bikes. He says airport staff can see I I folded bike. He say never had any issues.
Has once had a mudguard stay bent.

Based on the look of his rolling suitcase and attire, he may be a pilot. I would guess it would be easier for him gate check any item in question.

lol yup

The Brompton Mafia guys carry-on in the overheads regularly. SW Airlines sounds most lenient, but they've had luck elsewhere. Here're their recommendations.

https://m.facebook.com/BromptonMafia...51591201599714

overhead luggage is 20 lbs max. I have been in a flight which went into turbulent air and almost all overheads opened and the stuff was flying around. several people injured, flight attendant had a broken arm. I can only imagine what a bike will do hitting somebody in the head.
In other words. first of all its illegal, secondly its dangerous and morally totally wrong.


having the bike gate checked works on some flights, but you always run the risk that it gets rejected and you are loosing the bike.
Whats wrong putting it into an airline legal suitcase and check it like regular baggage ?

Delta has no weight limit except for 4 airports. I don't know about other airlines, bc I almost exclusively fly Delta
Carry-On Luggage Size, Weight & Dimension Restrictions : Delta Air Lines

CARRY-ON WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
No maximum weight applies to carry-on baggage except in the below stations:
Singapore, Singapore - Changi International Airport (SIN) carry on should not exceed 15 lbs. (7kgs)
South Korea - Incheon International Airport (ICN) carry on should not exceed 22 lbs. (10kgs)
Beijing, China - Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires that domestic hand carry bags should not exceed 10kgs. Individual carrier rules apply for international flights.
Shanghai, China - Pudong International Airport (PVG) carry on should not exceed 22lbs. (10kgs)

+1

Can you foot note this requirement?

I have been putting my Brompton into a case at the gate anyway .

I fly domestically ~50-60 miles/yr. Mostly United, but also Alaska. I can't find any weight maximum for carry-ons for either on their sites.

little bit of googling from my local airline and there you go:

https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/trav...y-on-allowance

also a few times they would make you slide the package through a metal frame, if you can't get it in there you are not bringing it on board. And those frames are pretty small.

also if I knew there was a bicycle above my head I would promptly remove it from the overhead bin and give it to a stewardess unless the owner wants to keep it above their head if they are a few seats away from me. I rather not risk a situation as minimal as some would suggest. All I need is that one time and you are done for, just for the sake of someone's convenience.

They have always made me check mine