Airline Baggage Regulation / Flying with Bikes

Interesting:

If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is less than 50 pounds (23kg) and 62 (158 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), there is no bicycle service charge, but, if applicable, the first or second checked baggage service charge applies.

How did you manage to get under 158cm? I would have though a bike without couplers would be bigger than that? My bike bag is at least 200cm in total, if not more.

so would you suggest not taking the pro looking bike bag and taking my bike in some sort of box as parts?

I can't say really, whenever I've taken my bike with Ryanair, I've just paid the £60 fee for peace of mind, their airport charges are usually more, so it wasn't worth the risk, in my mind.

My guess would be, if they know it's a bike, then they will charge you. So you'd have to hide it pretty well.

Has anyone ever travelled on Emirates with a boxed bike?
Cant seem to find any info on maximum dimensions, only max weight??

Anybody?

Me.

Standard box size.. what is it 120cm x something x something.

Mine was fine. It goes into a massive cage. 32kg in Economy ftw!

Seems you're good up to 3m in length.

But you're screwed if your checked baggage weighs over 30kg.

Same as other airlines, but with bonus 10-12kg.

Thanks ladies!
Bike & box are 14kg, so that gives me 16kg for tools, and other assorted crap!

assorted crap!
16kg of frocks, heels and handbags. Nice.

Have a hand luggage Q...

Clothing carrier like this: http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/400387023741?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla&crdt=0

rolled and strapped to a messenger bag, am I likely to get away with that as one bag?

It's down to size. Check your airline hand luggage policy.

Guh. Trying to get a bike to New Zealand. Air New Zealand are reasonable, but Singapore Air is ridiculously expensive - a paltry 20kg total allowance, or 35kg if you're willing to pay an extra $360. I am emigrating rather than just going on holiday, so 35kg with bike may be difficult to stick to.

I think I may just get it shipped over - I have got quotes of £150 including any customs and entry charges, for up to 30kg which should be enough for bike + bikepacking stuff + tent + sleeping bag + some tools. This seems to be the cheapest option; the cheapest flight sans-bike (£700ish) is more than £150 cheaper than going with New Zealand Air with a bike (£950ish), if that makes sense.

This is pushing it into the realm of 'just buy a bike when I get there', though.

Unaccompanied baggage. It cost me 400aud to ship bike and stuff to UK from Oz in 2005.

I've had a few quotes for air-freighted unaccompanied baggage but they're all about £350.

That doesn't seem unreasonable - certainly better than excess baggage fees. Keep looking and you may find something cheaper? How often do you expect to move to the other side of the world?

It is actually about £100 more expensive than excess baggage fees with Singapore Air, and £100 more than booking with New Zealand Air who likely wouldn't charge the fees in the first place - that does seem unreasonable to me.

It's 350 for 30kg on top of your luggage allowance of 20kg vs. 350 bucks for an extra 15kg. Guess it depends on how much stuff you have.

S'true. I like to think that I live modestly (which is bullshit as I am the biggest collector of crap that you've ever seen). I will only be taking my laptop, two pairs of trousers, a few shirts, a coat, shoes etc. Wear the heavy stuff on the plane - 40 hour journey in hiking boots, heavy jumper and a waxed cotton jacket... my partner went out a few months ago and is coming back next week - I can put some stuff into her suitcase, too.

I think I may just ship the bike though, it's the cheapest option unless some really cheap New Zealand Air flights become available.

Just consider yourself lucky that you don't have 3 bikes.

Only because I've sold them! I did have five before Christmas.

Just some info if anyone needs it. I'm currently flying back to Syd. with Etihad and they give you 30kg luggage in economy, and this includes sporting equipment. So, a well padded bike bag, with bike and tools was 13kg, my rucksack was 13kg so had plenty to spare. There was no issues checking in at all. Their fare was the cheapest too. And they seemingly serve booze non stop, even when you're being an annoying c*nt (man in front, seat 26h... just pass out would you?)

Whether or not it gets to Aus in one piece is another story.

Easyjet. Don't bother.

I paid for extra weight but I paid for the 'wrong' weight. If you have a bike, and it is in a bike box, ensure you have identified it as 'sports equipment'. I don't know if sport equipment is cheaper than extra baggage but this avoids the grief that I got flying to Majorca with a bike box.

Yeah. you have to buy it as sports equipment. Then you actually get a very generous allowance. I always tried to fly Easyjet where possible, with a bike.