I saw a rumor on Twitter (my trusted news source) that Frontier Airlines was going to start treating a bicycle box as a normal piece of luggage as of the 13th of this month. Anyone else hear this? That would mean that for a ‘Classic’ or ‘Classic Plus’ fare a bicycle would fly for free as long as the weight is under 50lbs.
This would significantly influence my choice of airline!!
Hmm - I have not heard of this. I chose to reply to this as I flew Frontier last year for IM Branson. That would be a huge incentive to fly Frontier as those rates for carrying a bike on board can get costly.
However, I avoided this altogether by buying a bike from a LBS near Branson last year and stored it with my parents who live in the area. This way, I avoid the inconvience, imho, of dismantling a bike, boxing it up for the flight, reassembling it once I get where I’m going, then box it up again for the return flight. Now, when I visit my folks each year, I have a road bike, ready to ride, waiting for me when I land.
Some folks have multiple homes around the world, so why not have multiple bikes spread out around the globe? Of course, you would need a place to store them while you’re in another state.
Frontier is already one of the most reasonable even under their current policy, which is $50 each way. This would just be one more step in the right direction (IMHO) and would encourage me and other cyclists and triathletes to fly with Frontier.
Also, I can’t afford multiple homes around the world, at the rate I buy bicycle stuff it’s a wonder I can afford one house! Here’s a link to my latest bike.
Some folks have multiple homes around the world, so why not have multiple bikes spread out around the globe? .
Great Idea! Wish i thought of it sooner.
Guess its time to put my bike box up for sale.
That’s right, SK. You still might get a good price for it. How old is it? 
I almost bought a bike where I live and boxed it for the flight to Branson, but, then it hit me, “Why not buy a bike at the LBS near my parent’s house, so, when I visit them every year, I’ll have a bike ready to ride that needs no rebuilding?”
For me, this was the most cost effective option versus putting a bike on a plane every year and paying for two trips. I say “cost effective” because I didn’t buy a high end bike. It’s a 2010 Trek 2.1 56 cm. It performed very well with the compact crank during those 56 miles of the Ozark mountains. Even though I was passed many times by the tri bike folks going downhill, I eventually caught and passed them when we began to climb.
They got back to me with this:
@jimmyarchertri All I can say at this point is that we have some exciting changes coming on April 13th.
Doesn’t sound like a no. I hope it’s true and if followed by a stampeded by cyclists/triathletes to fly them thus resulting in a measurable effect which should then transfer to the other airlines.
JImmy
I flew Frontier to Wisconsin (for Racine 70.3) last July and they let the bike on for free on the way back home. Flying out of my home airport the connector is operated by a different airline and they charge $50.
The lady at the Frontier counter in Milwaukee said it was unfair to charge me for a box when other (non-bike) boxes, similar in size, flew free. Go figure.
Frontier rules!
It would likely be enough to sway me to fly them! I wonder if all the cyclists and triathletes who might fly Frontier would qualify as a ‘stampede’?
Ooh, I hope so! I love Frontier, have frequent flier status with them I fly with them so much. This would be awesome. And I really, really appreciate airlines like Southwest and Frontier keeping costs reasonable, rather than jumping on every fee bandwagon that comes along.
*United, American and Delta, yes I’m talking about you! GRRRRRR
Awesome!
http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5264
Hello, new favorite airline. Just in time to book my Lake Stevens flight too.
Just the normal $20 fee for an Economy ticket, or free on Classic or Classic Plus fare tickets.
Those prices are pretty fair!
Too bad their flights ONLY go through their hubs. For me to travel east, I’d have to fly west to Milwaukee and the hop a flight east. Might as well drive given the annoying state of airline security.