Booking bikes on aeroplanes

topcattim

I'm about to book flights for a cycling holiday this summer. BA will take me out, and flybe will take me back. I'll have the bike in a solid bikeboxalan type case. Can anyone tell me if and if so, how, I book these on in advance - as far as I can work out, I can't book the bike on the flybe flight in advance, so I just turn up and hope. What about on the BA flight?
Thanks!

sungod

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ba+bicycle&l=1

topcattim

sungod wrote:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ba+bicycle&l=1

Hmm. Sungod, using your marvellous google skills, can you please point out the part that tells me the answer to my question, i.e. whether I need to book the bike on in advance? (oh and by the way, I had found that page as well! )

rafletcher

See if the airline site has an entry for "sports equipmemnt" - it should do, and thats what your bike is. Failing that, phone them up.

YIMan

BA - https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/sporting-goods-and-musical-instruments

You may need to pay for extra baggage depending on what you're taking.

Found in 2 seconds using google......

topcattim

Gosh, aren't you all good at Googling? You're not, sadly, quite so good at reading the question. What I am asking is: do I need to book it on in advance?

bigjim

Yes.

YIMan

It is you that are no sadly no good at reading. The link gives you all the information you've asked for if you bother reading it instead of expecting to be spoon-fed everything.

pilot_pete

You have a choice with BA. You can just turn up but it may not be accepted due to weight/ capacity issues depending on what aircraft type you are flying on and how full it is. Their site also states that pre booking is at a more favourable rate, so it will potentially cost you more to just turn up.

If you search the Flybe site you will find this;

Bicycles
Carriage is on a standby basis only.

Bicycles must be packed in a bike bag or protective box. Handlebar is turned and securely attached in line with the frame. Pedals are removed or turned inwards. Front wheel is removed and securely attached to the frame. Tyres must be fully deflated.

So there you go. Didn't take long using Google...;-)

PP

topcattim

YIMan wrote:

It is you that are no sadly no good at reading. The link gives you all the information you've asked for if you bother reading it instead of expecting to be spoon-fed everything.

Life's too short...
I'm just glad that people are generally nicer in real life.

YIMan

Pilot Pete wrote:

You have a choice with BA. You can just turn up but it may not be accepted due to weight/ capacity issues depending on what aircraft type you are flying on and how full it is. Their site also states that pre booking is at a more favourable rate, so it will potentially cost you more to just turn up.


So there you go. Didn't take long using Google...;-)

PP

What I read was that bikes are part of the free checked baggage allowance...therefore no need to pre-book nor any risk of not being accepted - but best to book additional "checked baggage allowance" in advance if you need the extra weight.

jscl

I honestly wouldn't take the risk on the FlyBe one... Speak to their CS first and see if they can guarantee carriage
But from experience so far, 10% success rate accomplished

Grill

There's no issue on BA as it's included in your normal allowance. If you're bringing another bag then you'll need to book that in advance in order to avoid paying more at the airport.