Airline Baggage Regulation / Flying with Bikes

The following is a guide and should not be taken as gospel. Airlines have been changing policies and weight limits a bit recently. That being said, this should give you a starting point for any research.

Would be grateful if people could add information about other airlines so we can look to develop a more comprehensive alphabeticised list. Feel free to send me a PM.

Air France charge depends on what sectors you are flying (code share agreement means you need to ensure that you are flying with Air France and not another airline)
http://w3.airfrance.com/PK/en/common/guidevoyageur/pratique/bagage_equipements_sport.htm
Air New Zealand. They've changed their rules effective of tickets purchased after about June 2010. Previously a bike could be brought in place of a bag, but now in economy you only get 1 x 23kg bag (for all flights they operate). The good news is a bike is charged at 1/2 the extra bag fee if its under 23kg, and then 1/2 the extra bag + overweight fee if its 23 - 32kg. Basically London to Auckland is 17.50 quid for up to 23kg bike, and about 50 quid for an up to 32kg bike.
All Nippon Airways: Bike is free if below 20kg (Having said that Build having flown with them 6 times has never had his bag checked for weight. The last time he flew with them he brought two bikes back and a load of parts etc).
http://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/uk/e/
British Airways: bikes travel free as long as weight is below stated limit. Change will occur from October 7 2009 onwards will see bikes not being part of a traveller's baggage allowance rather than an additional free piece of luggage (as has previously been the case on BA, and as is still the case on Virgin).
BA is also capping the per-item weight at 23kg, whereas it was previously 32kg. However, that applies to all items of luggage, not just bikes. (BA will still accept an item weighing up to 32kg, but you'll now be charged a fee if it's more than 23kg.) no pre booking needed
Delta $US200 for oversize bags on trans-Atlantic route (code share agreement means you need to ensure that you are flying with Air France and not another airline)
http://www.delta.com/help/faqs/baggage/index.jsp#bicycleEasyjet: sports equipment charge paid on booking - charge based on flight as long as below 32kg
BMI were very good when I fly to the Tour of Ireland with bike. It was something like £70 return and the bike travelled for £15 each way.
Easyjet - pay fixed charge for taking bicycle as long as its under weight limit
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Planning/baggage.html
Emirates varying reports - one person pointed to heavy charge for going over weight allowance
30kg allowance for Economy, it was boxed and went into special 'Fragile' item cage. Apparently steep charges if you are over the weight limit. Also need to bear in mind that there's a 12kg limit on in cabin luggage so can't simply shift all your heavy stuff to carry on.
KLM bicycles travel free if under 20kg weight (code share agreement means you need to ensure that you are flying with Air France and not another airline)
http://www.klm.com/travel/gb_en/travel_information/baggage/exceptional_baggage/index.htm#2
Lufthansa: additional charge paid at airport
Lufthansa want to charge 70EUR EACH WAY for Heathrow to Trieste flight. It would be free if I could fit it in their 20kg/158cm total external lengths limits but this is unlikely.
Ryanair: sports equipment charge of £40 for each leg paid on booking online. £50 if paid at airport.
http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=bag&quest=sportsequipment&xtmc=sports%20equipment&xtcr=2 Also reports that if bicycle is over a certain weight, you can still face additional charges
Virgin Atlantic: Virgin Atlantic allows one piece of sports equipment in addition to your free baggage allowance at no extra charge, as long as your sports equipment does not weigh more than 23Kg - pre booking not needed
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com:80/en/gb/passengerinformation/baggage/sports/cycling.jsp

Online guides to traveling with bicycles

http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm