International flights with bicycles

[ccraig]

My partner and I are planning a month-long bicycle trip in France and Italy for late spring this year. Does anyone have recommendations on airlines for flying with bikes and equipment--both in cost and in service? We would be flying into Bordeaux and out of Venice. Also wondered if any of the European airlines still sell bike boxes or if we could expect to find a bike shop around Venice to buy boxes or have them box up our bikes for flight?

[John Nelson]

I've never flown to Europe with a bicycle, but I have rented a bicycle in Europe several times. It's pretty easy to do, and most big cities have a number of reasonably-priced options. You can usually rent a bike with racks and panniers if you want.

Airline bicycle policies change periodically. It used to be inexpensive, then it got crazy expensive, and it's currently rotated back to inexpensive again. Most airlines have liberal size limits for bicycles (and don't even charge you the oversize fee), but a few still have size restrictions that make it practically impossible to take a bicycle because the maximum size of the luggage (at any price) isn't big enough for anything but a folding bicycle. Also, it is not possible to take a e-bike on any flight on any airline (because of the battery). It's important not to book your flight until you fully explore the airlines bicycle policies. Even then, be sure to make a copy of the policy on the day you book, so that you can show it to the agent when you check in, just in case the agent thinks the policy is something else. I just checked a few airline policies now for flights from the USA to Europe. All of these airlines have generous size limits for bicycle boxes.

• United Airlines: A bicycle just counts as any other piece of luggage, except that oversize fees are waived. I've taken my bicycle domestically on United many times with no problems. United doesn't even have a way for you to tell them that you're bringing a bicycle, so just show up with it. But pay attention to the difference between "Basic Economy" and "Standard Economy" and be sure to book the one that fits your needs (e.g., Basic Economy does not allow a carry-on).
• British Airways: A bicycle also just counts as any other piece of luggage, but the oversize fees apply. You have to tell them in advance if you are bringing a bicycle.
• Icelandair: A bicycle counts as a piece of luggage, plus a hefty "odd-sized item" fee will apply (as much as $210). You must reserve space for your bicycle in advance. Icelandair still tells you to deflate your tires--poppycock! In my opinion, Icelandair's policy rules them out. All the other airlines are better.
• American Airlines: A bicycle counts as a piece of luggage. Oversize fees are waived, but if you are flying to Madrid, the size restrictions will make flying with a bicycle impossible. If you pack it in a cardboard box, they will make you sign a damage waiver.

To smooth the passage through security, and to avoid overweight fees, it is always advisable to pack only your bicycle in the box. Do not include any of your gear. To avoid overweight fees, I always pack my saddle, pedals, and front rack in my other bag. This gets my box down to 47 pounds (the limit is usually 50 pounds). Weigh your loaded bike box to find out if this is necessary for you. If you put only your bicycle in the box, security will just open the box, look inside, and probably do an explosive residue test. If you cram the box full, they will probably have to unpack it, and they almost certainly won't repack it as well as you did.

You usually have to take your bicycle to an oversize luggage area, so you should arrive at the airport plenty early. I'd recommend three hours for an international flight. It might take some time to navigate the special process.

It used to be that all airlines said you had to deflate your tires. These days, most (but not all) airlines have removed this idiotic rule. There's no chance that your tires will explode as they fear. Even if they tell you to deflate your tires, I would ignore this rule. I might take a little air out so that they are a bit soft, but I would not fully deflate them. Inflated tires offer significant cushioning for your wheels and bike. Keeping air in your tires also simplifies your chores upon arriving, as you don't have to pump them back up.

Try not to use multiple airlines for a single trip. That just complicates matters and increases the risk of damage. In fact, try to book a single, non-stop flight if possible.

[DW]

My partner and I are planning a month-long bicycle trip in France and Italy for late spring this year. Does anyone have recommendations on airlines for flying with bikes and equipment--both in cost and in service? We would be flying into Bordeaux and out of Venice. Also wondered if any of the European airlines still sell bike boxes or if we could expect to find a bike shop around Venice to buy boxes or have them box up our bikes for flight?

ccraig,

I've flown across the puddle to Europe numerous times on several airlines with my bike.  My last trip was in 2022 to Ireland.  Three years prior, I went to France.  I've not used the Bordeaux or Venice airports, however.  I don't believe airlines sell boxes any more, although I've not inquired for quite some time.  On my first trip abroad, the carrier gave me a heavy duty plastic bag which lasted for years.  Haven't seen one since.

I'd say most any bike shop will have a box or two to give you and may well pack your bikes for a fee.  Just be sure it's big enough, and remember to use the metric system when speaking with Europeans, the Brits excepted.  You could also contact WarmShowers hosts in your arrival and departure cities and inquire if they would ask their local shops to set aside two boxes for you.  That worked for me in Copenhagen.

Every airline I've ever researched accepts boxed bikes as checked baggage.  But be sure to read each carrier's baggage/sports equipment policies and fees carefully.  They can change any time.  I pack my helmet and tools in the box, of course, and the panniers fit well in the overhead bins.  My large handlebar bag fits nicely under the seat in front of me.         

Keep in mind that all airlines specify 62 linear inches as the maximum size checked bag they'll accept without assessing oversize charges.  So dig deeper into their websites until you find details on sports equipment/bicycles.  The minimum size box you'll need for a "regular" size touring bike is 91 linear inches.  Anything smaller will make for a tight, if not impossible, fit.  However, in my experience the maximum size box airlines accept is 115-130 linear inches, so shop around.  Again, read carefully before you purchase your ticket.   

The maximum weight accepted by all the carriers I've used without an additional fee is 23kg or 50 lbs.  I've always managed to come in at just a shade under that, even with the tools, helmet and a U-lock.

On most any carrier expect to pay around $30-$40 for each bike per each leg of your trip.  And beware any airline that assesses more than $100.  When the former Alitalia (now ITA) was still in business, its maximum box size for bikes was 62 linear inches.  Yep, impossible to fit a bike in such a box.  And it charged $400 each way!   

Also, it's a good idea to let the airline know in advance (on the website) that you'll be traveling with boxed bicycles in case other cyclists are taking the same flights.  There's only so much room, even on a jumbo jet!