What to do with a bike box?

[John Nettles]

Pete,

I do know that American Airlines specifically says "Bicycle is in a hard-sided case, bicycle bag or box built for bicycle transport".  The question for me is a mattress bag a "bicycle bag" and does "built for bicycle transport" apply to the box only or to the case, bag, and box. 

United Airlines doesn't mention a box at all.  They have changed their requirements because I used to be able to just heavily wrap the bike with HVAC insulation tubing and they accepted it.  It was never damaged.

Delta's policy states "If the bicycle is packaged in a soft sided travel bag or anything other than a hard shell case, a limited release form will need to be signed" which to me implies to me that you could pack it in a durable plastic bag. However, their $200-$300 fee each way for over 80 linear inches makes me avoid Delta.   

Southwest Airlines states "Bicycles packaged in cardboard or soft-sided cases will be transported only with a limited release of liability. Customers are not entitled to reimbursement or compensation for damage in situations where a limited release of liability applies." so I guess you could do a mattress bag also.  I have found SWA to be the roughest of them all but that just may be because I used to fly them a lot.  Plus they don't reimburse for damages unless excessive damage to the box. 

I have always been jealous of how Europeans can just use a soft but durable plastic bike bag to transport the bikes.  Plus the baggage handlers seem to give a better care there when I have observed them moving someone's bike.

Tailwinds, John

[staehpj1]

Delta's policy states "If the bicycle is packaged in a soft sided travel bag or anything other than a hard shell case, a limited release form will need to be signed" which to me implies to me that you could pack it in a durable plastic bag. However, their $200-$300 fee each way for over 80 linear inches makes me avoid Delta.   

Doesn't Delta's current policy allow a bike oox (up to something like 115") fly as one of your bags with no bike surcharge?  I thought they dropped the big fees to zero last year.

EDIT:
I went and checked to see what had or had not changed.  I copied the following from twowheeledwanderer.com because it was easier to read there than the delta site.
DELTA AIRLINES
Delta Airlines bike ree: Standard baggage fees apply – 1st bag: $30; 2nd bag: $40 (fees may vary depending on destination)
Max Weight: 50lbs/23kg
Max Dimensions: 115 linear in/292 linear cm
Additional Info:
Extra fees will apply if over 50lb weight limit
Bags exceeding 115 linear in and/or 100lbs will not be accepted

[Tandem Tom]

We have only flown with Iceland Air with bags. They show it on their site. I use queen size bags and cut them down. I get them at a mattress store.

[staehpj1]

We have only flown with Iceland Air with bags. They show it on their site. I use queen size bags and cut them down. I get them at a mattress store.

A big plus if it is endorsed by the carrier.

[LouisB]

Very informative, thank you all.

Looks like I'll be going the reinforced cardboard box route with my panniers etc. in an IKEA bag or something similar.

[John Nettles]

Delta's policy states "If the bicycle is packaged in a soft sided travel bag or anything other than a hard shell case, a limited release form will need to be signed" which to me implies to me that you could pack it in a durable plastic bag. However, their $200-$300 fee each way for over 80 linear inches makes me avoid Delta.   

Doesn't Delta's current policy allow a bike oox (up to something like 115") fly as one of your bags with no bike surcharge?  I thought they dropped the big fees to zero last year.

EDIT:
I went and checked to see what had or had not changed.  I copied the following from twowheeledwanderer.com because it was easier to read there than the delta site.
DELTA AIRLINES
Delta Airlines bike ree: Standard baggage fees apply – 1st bag: $30; 2nd bag: $40 (fees may vary depending on destination)
Max Weight: 50lbs/23kg
Max Dimensions: 115 linear in/292 linear cm
Additional Info:
Extra fees will apply if over 50lb weight limit
Bags exceeding 115 linear in and/or 100lbs will not be accepted

I was quoting from the international oversized section toward the bottom of the page.  As you say, it is much easier to read elsewhere but I like to get it in writing from their own website.  They do not specifically say a bike is $x but it does imply it allows up to 115" in one section (which is oversized based on the 62" allowed) but excludes 81+" in other sections.  You would think they could just say a bike is $x each way, how it must be packed at minimum, and the size/weight limits.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/checked-baggage/excess-overweight-baggage

[staehpj1]

Delta's policy states "If the bicycle is packaged in a soft sided travel bag or anything other than a hard shell case, a limited release form will need to be signed" which to me implies to me that you could pack it in a durable plastic bag. However, their $200-$300 fee each way for over 80 linear inches makes me avoid Delta.   

Doesn't Delta's current policy allow a bike oox (up to something like 115") fly as one of your bags with no bike surcharge?  I thought they dropped the big fees to zero last year.

EDIT:
I went and checked to see what had or had not changed.  I copied the following from twowheeledwanderer.com because it was easier to read there than the delta site.
DELTA AIRLINES
Delta Airlines bike ree: Standard baggage fees apply – 1st bag: $30; 2nd bag: $40 (fees may vary depending on destination)
Max Weight: 50lbs/23kg
Max Dimensions: 115 linear in/292 linear cm
Additional Info:
Extra fees will apply if over 50lb weight limit
Bags exceeding 115 linear in and/or 100lbs will not be accepted

I was quoting from the international oversized section toward the bottom of the page.  As you say, it is much easier to read elsewhere but I like to get it in writing from their own website.  They do not specifically say a bike is $x but it does imply it allows up to 115" in one section (which is oversized based on the 62" allowed) but excludes 81+" in other sections.  You would think they could just say a bike is $x each way, how it must be packed at minimum, and the size/weight limits.

https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/checked-baggage/excess-overweight-baggage

Delta's site is confusing with references to oversize charges in one place and bike policy in another, but bikes are exempt from the oversize charge.  The two wheeled wanderer site is actually pretty clear on how it actually works.