Travelling with Bike Box Alan

phil485

So, just picked up my bike box and 2 simple ish questions.

Should I inform the airline or just treat it as my hold luggage allowance, after all it is just a large hard shell case?

Di2 battery is wedged in my seat post. Take it out or as its installed leave it in the box??

any answers gratefully received.

sungod

airlines usually have a size limit for hold baggage, which a bba will exceed

when i fly with mine i always book it as sports equipment/cycle, depending on the airline this can be free, reasonable, or extortionate

check rules for your airline before flying, add it as an extra when booking, leaving it until check-in is likely to cost more - you are trapped at that point

leave battery in place, but disconnect wires/whatever in case a shifter gets pushed in transit

AK_jnr

B.A I took it as hold luggage and then had the rest of my stuff in the mrs' suitcase. Remember if you do that it has to be under 22kg so I couldnt put much else in the box.

If its any other airline I would pay in advance otherwise you will get charged more on the day

homers_double

Aye book it as sports luggage - If anything happens to it in transit you can guarantee they'll use any excuse to wiggle out of a claim.

buckmulligan

I was looking into this before a summer trip.

Whilst BA say that they'll take a boxed bicycle as your article of hold luggage, as sungod says, they have size restrictions on this and a BikeBoxAlan exceeds it. According to their guidelines you have to take it check it as cargo which undoubtedly costs a fortune. EasyJet don't have any size restrictions but you have to book it as an additional "Sports Goods" item on top of your ticket at £35 per flight. Other airlines vary so check their policies carefully before booking!

Anonymous

Easyjet did not seem too bothered by excess weight, but mate got stung by BA for being too heavy (even though his bike was v light 8) )!

AK_jnr

Guess I got lucky with BA then as I had no problems

bikeav8or

You'll be fine with BA it counts as one of your hold items

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/inf ... nstruments

buckmulligan

bikeav8or wrote:

You'll be fine with BA it counts as one of your hold items

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/inf ... nstruments

Jeez, did you even bother to read the previous posts?! The British Airways page that you linked to clearly states:

"We can only accept sporting equipment if it is packed appropriately (to avoid damage) and meets the given size and weight restrictions."

If you look at the restrictions, they state:

- A checked bag can be up to 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5in x 29.5in x 16in) – including any bits that stick out, like the handle, pockets and wheels.

- Larger items of up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) can be carried for an additional over-sized bag charge. (Currently, we waive this charge so you do not pay it.)

- Any items larger than 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) require separate shipping as cargo.

The dimensions of a BikeBoxAlan are:

Max height 92cm, Min height 75cm, Max thickness 32cm, min thickness 32cm, Length 113cm

Therefore a BikeBoxAlan should be shipped as "Cargo" under the BA T&Cs, incurring an additional (unspecified) charge. Whether that actually happens at the airport is another matter, but that's what their regulations say.