Taking a bicycle to the USA on a plane

[VinceDeehan]

Next June I am hoping to do a big cycling trip in the USA and would ideally like to take my own bike with me, rather than rent a bike in the USA. My bike is a standard Trek hybrid.

Does anyone have any experience of this and have a rough idea of the costs? Is FedEx another option?

Vince Deehan

 

[Hill Wimp]

Next June I am hoping to do a big cycling trip in the USA and would ideally like to take my own bike with me, rather than rent a bike in the USA. My bike is a standard Trek hybrid.

Does anyone have any experience of this and have a rough idea of the costs? Is FedEx another option?

Vince Deehan

@vernon will be along at some point in the next 24.

He has just done it and is currently doing The Northern Tier.

 

[growingvegetables]

Look at tickets from Virgin - they take your bike for free!

 

[Brandane]

I did it in January, funnily enough with a Trek Hybrid (7.3fx). British Airways, Glasgow to Orlando via Gatwick (return). BA will take the bike as part of your check in baggage allowance, but it counts towards your 23kg. So in my case the bike (which must be properly packaged with bars turned inwards and pedals removed) weighed in about 21kg, which meant I had to take everything else as hand luggage - which is quite a generous allowance and goes by size rather than weight; the only weight stipulation being that you have to be able to lift it into the overhead locker by yourself.

I had no problems with anyone asking me to deflate tyres, which I hadn't done because I wanted to keep 90 psi in them, which I would struggle to get with a hand pump; so unless you plan to carry a track pump just ignore the "must deflate tyres" bit - it's nonsensical anyway.

The bike survived the trip unscathed in an Edinburgh bike Co-Op bike bag which was on special offer price at the time.

Here is the official BA info on carrying sporting equipment.

 

[slowmotion]

Here's a novel approach....

http://www.twowheeltravelblog.com/2012/10/25/how-to-fly-with-a-bike-cheap-and-easy-method/

Minimal protection. You just put it in a clear plastic bag. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to try it.

 

[Brandane]

Here's a novel approach....

http://www.twowheeltravelblog.com/2012/10/25/how-to-fly-with-a-bike-cheap-and-easy-method/

Minimal protection. You just put it in a clear plastic bag. I'm not sure I'd be brave enough to try it.

I've done it that way too! It was BA again, Glasgow to Bordeaux via Gatwick last year. The bike was a Specialized Tricross. The only casualty was the shifters which were a bit exposed after the bars being turned in line with the frame. They had been pushed round on the bars, which had in turn ripped the bar tape slightly. Loosened them off, re-aligned them, used some electrical tape to patch the bar tape, and all was fine for my ride to the channel.
CTC sell the plastic bags, which they claim are re-usable. Mine wasn't .

 

[Somebuddy]

It is a lot cheaper if you can arrive and depart from different airports. That is to say a multi city trip as opposed to an A to B return. Sending my daughter from Edinburgh to Boston return was almost £1000. But for me and my bike to go Edinburgh to Vancouver and then Boston to Edinburgh was £655. A bargain! That was last year.

 

[CopperBrompton]

A Brompton goes as hand-baggage in business class, ordinary hold baggage otherwise ...

 

[Creamcrackered]

You definitely need to check with the airline what their policy on packing and fees is. I have done quite a few flights with mine and mostly I haven't been charged extra Unless the airline requires it, I don't pack it - just tune the handlebars round and remove the pedals. The worst damage I have had has been a bit of scratched paint. In fact, I reckon the baggage handlers take more care if it is unpacked or in a poly bag than if it is boxed.

 

[Simon_m]

Next June I am hoping to do a big cycling trip in the USA and would ideally like to take my own bike with me, rather than rent a bike in the USA. My bike is a standard Trek hybrid.

Does anyone have any experience of this and have a rough idea of the costs? Is FedEx another option?

Vince Deehan

yep i did it for the TransAm. i have read on some blogs that they took it on for free, while others like myself, had to pay £100 or so. Put it in a CTC bag and it got there and back fine.

 

[VinceDeehan]

Wow. Thank you all for your incredibly helpful replies. Lots to think about. Am I right in saying the consensus is that a clear bag (a CTC bag?) is the best option - as the handlers can see it's fragile and will take a bit more care?

 

[vernon]

I flew my bike to Seattle with Icelandaire for about £60. I packed it in a cardboard box for the flight. It arrived undamaged.

I'll be doing the same for the flight back from Boston.

 

[classic33]

Wow. Thank you all for your incredibly helpful replies. Lots to think about. Am I right in saying the consensus is that a clear bag (a CTC bag?) is the best option - as the handlers can see it's fragile and will take a bit more care?

Despite what folk may think, its not always the baggage handlers at fault, when an item gets damaged.
They forget about the system that their luggage has to run through, and machines aren't as forgiving.

 

[Simon_m]

I handed mine in at the oversize backage area and it was put on top of a trolly with the cases below, then lifted by two guys in to the hold, all caught on camera while I sat in my seat. I think there is a thread somewhere with the photos