Carrying your bike on a plane.

biff55
biff55 Posts: 1,404
edited April 2010 in MTB general
Evening peeps , what i want to know is......
do the airlines insist on bikes being transported inside those specialist ( and expensive )cases or can you fly it unboxed ? ( pedals off , seat down and bubble-wrapped frame )
thanks to those with knowlege of this topic.

Ps. off to the U.S. for a while later this year :D

Comments

  • Thread8
    Thread8 Posts: 479
    Email your airline, see what they say

    It will probably be along the lines of however you want, it wont be their fault if it gets damaged
    Haro Thread 8
    Please help!

    "It's like parkour, on a bike"
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    cheers , thought as much myself.
    Dont know which airline as yet , just gettin the vibe from any seasoned pro's.
  • 49tcv
    49tcv Posts: 5
    I dont know of any carrier that now allows unpacked bikes on,
    they all insist on it being wrapped and suggest a bike box or bag, both of these can be expensive. The cheaper option is a used cardboard box that your LBS will GIVE you.
    The benefits are you bike has protection from luggage handlers
    Other luggage around yours doesnt get oily or scagged.
    Suggest you tape it up but put a new roll of tape in the box for the return journey.
    Other points to remember you can a lotof kit in the box as well so you might avoid extra checked bag fees.
    Check the airline policy on bikes before you book , the big carriers dont charge for bikes at all usually, the cheap airlines like bikes because they can load the price , the exception is Ruinair who loathe them as they slow turn around time and so have just doubled there price, avoid them if poss,
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    very useful info 49tcv.
    cheers :D
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    We're flying to france with Jet2, weirdly their terms and conditions insist that "Bicycles must be wrapped in stiff cardboard with the pedals off and the handlebars turned in line with the frame", and don't cover proper bike bags at all. So we're just going to, er, wing it ;)
    Uncompromising extremist
  • lochussie
    lochussie Posts: 276
    Easyjet no probs. I use a bike bag, but think you can use any kind of box or bag.
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    Northwind wrote:
    We're flying to france with Jet2, weirdly their terms and conditions insist that "Bicycles must be wrapped in stiff cardboard with the pedals off and the handlebars turned in line with the frame", and don't cover proper bike bags at all. So we're just going to, er, wing it ;)


    thats exactly how i want to shift my bike to the states , er.. like a cheapskate lol ,
    plus easier too wheel through the airport :D
    ta northwind.
  • P-Jay
    P-Jay Posts: 1,478
    I think it's time for a sticky on this subject, comes up quite often especially coming up to holiday times.

    Perhaps we can agree on the best way to do it in regards to protecting your P&J and then people can add different little things that different airlines require?
    Shocker Enduro
  • rocketraz1982
    rocketraz1982 Posts: 35
    Hi mate yeah most will want a cardboard box at minimum like was said get one from your local bike shop just drop them a few beers this goes a long way next time you want somthing :)

    Im flying a bike back home from Trinidad for a few weeks in November I.E Trans atlantic with BA and they are w@nkers... They no longer include sports equipment free of charge so get this if you are in cattle class your allowed 1 bag at 23KG that means if you want to take a bike its somthing like $30us per KG or you can take the bike for free and not have any other luggage!!!!!!..Lucky i found a promotion that gave me a upgrade for a few quid to premium economy and can take two bags at 23KG DEFO check before just turning up get a print out from there webpage and take it to the check in desk you never know if a little hitler will be there!!!!
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    biff55 wrote:
    thats exactly how i want to shift my bike to the states , er.. like a cheapskate lol .

    I was going to do that. Then I thought, hmm, £40 bag to protect a £2000 bike seems like not too bad a deal. Plus I'm going to completely fill the bag with tat til it's exactly 1g less than teh weight limit. Spare everything :lol:
    Uncompromising extremist
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    £40 for bike bag ?
    sounds good , most hard cases i've seen cost £150 plus
    who sells em NW ?
  • biff55
    biff55 Posts: 1,404
    P-Jay wrote:
    I think it's time for a sticky on this subject, comes up quite often especially coming up to holiday times.

    Perhaps we can agree on the best way to do it in regards to protecting your P&J and then people can add different little things that different airlines require?

    good idea !
    then we'll all benefit from knowing who's good / crap at mtb transporting.
  • Northwind
    Northwind Posts: 14,675
    http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/bike-and- ... e-bag.html

    Probably getting this one. Not sure yet. Though I'm going to armour the **** out of it with cardboard and duck tape.
    Uncompromising extremist

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