this much i know. still, a question for the experts: i’m flying (likely w. tango, as they’re cheaper than westjet at the moment) from edmonton-toronto (return) in september. i want to bring my bike (in a case). what’s air canada’s policy? i’ve looked around for a little on the website but can’t be buggered any more; thought it’d be quicker to ask here.
-mike
You didn’t look too hard… $65CAD:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/checked.html#r1s1
I have never paid with WestJet. So, how much are you saving on the flight… more than $65?
I don’t know the specifics, but it’s between $40 and $60 each way. I recall that in 2003 Westjet was half the price of Air Canada. This may or may not make Westjet’s prices look more appealing to you. We flew Edmonton to PEI in Sept 2003 with touring bikes packed in cardboard boxes and an overnight stay in Halifax. Oddly enough, I have no complaints on anything except the amount of hills and wind on PEI.
Air Canada at $65 CDN for a bike is a bargain compared to most US airlines.
Joel
When I flew Air Canada to San Francisco last year en-route to Hawaii they didn’t charge me for the bike. We overnighted in San Fran and United charged me around $80 to fly it the rest of the way. Air Canada seems to always be 50-50 on whether or not they charge you.
I flew British Airways twice. Nice.
I flew Air Canada. Once. Nice.
Nobody ask for payment.
bike parts.
as fleck once said, nowhere in their contract does it state that they can charge you for transporting bike parts.
take out the seat, pedals, skewers, and anything else that is small and easily removable
great idea…
Thats too bad that Air Canada is less than Westjet. In 2002, I flew Westjet out to IMC and had the best flights i’ve ever had. They joked the whole way out there…they had said that they had alarms in the bathrooms and if they caught anyone smoking, they would be asked to leave the plane immediately…LOL…they would have contests…like who had the oldest penny in their pockets…etc…just loved the flight… AND the best part is that they never lost my bike like has happened on so many other flights…well good luck with Air Can!!!
Mike,
Westjet didn’t charge when we came out to Edmonton nor for the flight to Winnipeg (although may have been under a weight limit - used a bike bag instead of a box).
Have you checked out flying into Hamilton via Westjet - I think it’s cheaper then Toronto and the airports are only about 30-45 minutes apart.
Dan
I love Westjet for thier attitude. And the leather seats, Satellite TV, and new planes. 
However, the hoighty-toighty business travellers apparently don’t like the laid back attitude. Air Canada is still king in the business market. I think they need to lighten up.