Flying with a bicycle abroad or within the country, you may want to bring your bike to explore new places in the destination city or country. Flying with a bike on a plane is as simple as carrying your luggage during travel. Don’t forget that it will incur some costs, and you should adhere to the Airline bike transportation guidelines.
We are providing standard practices for carrying a bike on a plane, which may vary between airlines.
Check with your airline:
Every airline has specific rules and fees for transporting bikes, so the first step is to check with the airline you’re flying with. You can usually find their bike policy on their website or by calling customer service. Additionally, you must check the box sizes allowed in the luggage.
Bike packing for flights properly:
To pack your bike within acceptable dimensions for airlines, follow these simple rules:
- The package should have specific dimensions as mentioned by the airline.
- Hard-shell bike cases are better for bike safety; however, you can use cardboard boxes for domestic flights.
- Ensure you dismantle the bike and pack it with bubble wrap around the essential parts, especially the shifters and bike elements.
- For e-shifters, please remove the battery and don’t pack it in the luggage, as most airlines do not allow batteries in checked baggage.
- For e-bikes, you must have a removable battery; otherwise, check with the airline if they allow you to carry it. Again, don’t forget to remove the battery and keep it in cabin luggage. Note that large batteries over 100Wh are not allowed in the cabin or checked luggage. Check this before booking your flight.
- Deflate the tires to save space.
- Avoid packing extra parts, tubes, or tires in the same package to reduce weight and costs. Carry them in your cabin bag or purchase them at the destination if needed.
- Remove the pedal, as its inclusion will increase the box size.
- Keep the same bike box/case for return journeys to avoid inconvenience.
- Do not discard the original cardboard box; it is designed for your bike and can be reused.
- Ensure the box is adequately sealed to prevent damage to the bike during transport.
- Use lighter materials like bubble packing inside to reduce scratches during movement.
- Do not pack rapid inflator CO2 canisters; we advise against carrying them.
- Declare your bike as sports equipment at check-in.
How to pack your bike:
Follow a minimalistic approach to reduce airport unpacking hassles:
- Remove pedals.
- Remove the drop bar handle and fold it inwards.
- Keep wires connecting shifters to derailleurs together.
- If possible, unscrew the rear derailleur to save space.
- For disc brakes, use a plastic disc brake spacer and put a safety cover on the disc brake rotors.
- Reduce the saddle height to a minimum, or if removable, take it off.
- If you have additional accessories, like carriers or mudguards, leave them behind or pack them separately.
- Remove all accessories not originally part of the bike, including the bike meter, lights, horn, or any equipment with a built-in battery. Carry materials with batteries in your check-in luggage.
- Wipe down your chain with a cloth to avoid greasy problems afterwards.
- Don’t forget to deflate your tires, but not completely for tubeless ones, as it may cause the sealant mess in the box.
- Consider putting a “Handle with care” sticker on the box.
The boxes and cases for bike transportation:
The choice of cycle packing depends on the box or cycle case used. Hard shell cases come with perfect compartments, soft padding, and ties, serving as a trolley during checking, saving physical effort. If you travel frequently, investing in a hard shell case is advisable and cost-effective. Another method is to use the original cardboard box. It is designed to fit your bike and is generally airline-friendly. Add enough cushioning like bubble wrap or thermacol padding for stability and to prevent scratches. Alternative packing materials like cloth bags, air-sealed polyester bags, or large regular travel bags may be cheaper but are not recommended for bike safety.
Airline Bike Luggage Policy:
Every airline has luggage policies for large-sized luggage during domestic and international flights. Check with the airline before booking tickets to ensure your hard-shell luggage complies with their policy. Be aware of potential issues after booking and check luggage fees in advance, as carrying your bike can be exciting but costlier.
A bike in a small-sized bag or case can be treated as ordinary luggage without incurring additional bike charges.
For example, Japan Airlines as mentioned on their website
“We will accept a sports bicycle of the size of checked baggage regulation (including conditions that are of a predetermined size when disassembled or folded) on the condition that it is in its wheel carrying bag (Bicycle storage bag) as checked baggage. As with normal baggage, we can keep it within free checked baggage allowance, but if it exceeds the allowance, we will charge an excess baggage fee.
Japan Airline
Bike Tire Deflation:
Airlines may request deflated tires due to safety concerns. Flying at higher altitudes may increase pressure inside the bike tire, posing a risk. For tubeless tires, deflate by 30-50% to avoid losing sealant during transportation.
Damage & Loss of Luggage:
Fill out the necessary luggage loss form upon arrival if your cycle is missing or damaged. Ensure you report any visible damage immediately to the airline crew and airport team to claim damages.
Beyond these points, consider the following recommendations to save time and reduce stress during airport checking:
- Arrive early to account for unforeseen formalities.
- Bring basic tools such as a wrench and Allen keys in case adjustments are needed.
- Label your bike case with “Handle with care” and “Fragile” stickers during checking.
- Keep receipts for your bike case and other related expenses in case you need to file a claim with the airline.
- Carry your bike invoice to confirm it is for personal use and not for import purposes.
- Rent a bike for short trips.
- Connect with cycling communities on social media for advice.
- Consider shipping your bike using logistical services to avoid airport luggage issues.
- Share your experiences with other cyclists regarding the airline, service, or country specifics during or after your travel.
Overall, if bike shipping or flying with a cycle is essential to you, carefully read the mentioned points. Share your experiences with friends, and please provide feedback if you found the article helpful or if any aspects of taking your cycle on an aeroplane were missed.
Also check out How to transport your bicycle in India? Indian Cycle Transportation Services
