My friend and I are exploring the possibilities to flying to Munich and cycling the Bodensee-Koeningsee radweg. I've got a couple of Dahon D7s and I'm wondering if it's possible to take them bagged as normal check-in luggage. I see, to remember reading something about there possibly being problems with the size of the machines the bikes have to go through, and also maybe the reaction of the check-in staff concerning there being a bike in the bag.
Anyone here succeeded in getting a Dahon successfully on and off a plane?

How did this work out? I'm going to Munich too. I'd love to take my Dahon and I'm curious how you did it.

My Dahon Helios has flown as checked baggage from the US to Sevilla Spain and back with stops in a few other countries, but it was in a regular Samsonite 62" suitcase. Not sure if that helps you though.

I'd also recommend a hard-shell case. A bag offers almost no protection, is likely to rip etc

Last I checked, airlines are much more concerned about weight than contents. Stick the bike in a Samsonite Oyster and as long as it's under the weight limit, they won't ask you what's in it.

What do you do with the cases when you are touring?

I was thinking more of the bagged option, really. The bags are easier in that you can roll them up and strap them onto a pannier rack.
As it stands, my friend and I have decided not to take the Dahons, as we can't guarantee that we won't get to the airport and have the bags rejected and have to pay excess baggage.
We're just taking our regular bikes, which is a shame as we will arrive about ten at night, then have to catch a train, then haul them from the station to the hotel. We're just using the plastic bag method, but even that, just unbagging and turing handlebars, fixing pedals usually takes an hour or so, and we can't afford to miss the last train to Munich.
Oh well, can't complain, really, seeing as we'll be touring, and that's the important thing.

I've taken my Mu P24 several times on EVA air with no problems. I do remove my dérailleur and the pin to the click box as a precaution against damage. So far so good.
So

Well, my Bike Friday NWT has been to Germany 5 times (twice this year -- just got back from a tour along the Main river). I do pack it in a hard suitcase (Samsonite) and have never had a problem with customs, TSA or the German equivalent. Never been charged any excess fees as well (have status on NW -- now DL so no bag fees at all).

The suitcase can be converted to trailer, but I haven't done this as my tours have been fairly short (week or so) and I just take the train back to my starting point (where I've left the suitcase).