Since touring europe in 1977, my wife and I have done over seventy bike tours in about that many countries and have never paid for our bikes.In the good old days bike flew free as one piece of luggage.When airlines started charging for bikes, we got titanium race bikes with s& s couplings that fit into boxes that were 62 linear inches and went as regular checked luggage.We flew about twenty time with these bikes and did some cool races,then did a month long bike tour at norseman extreme twice,ironman france2x, imnz 3x, im malaysia, im brazil, 2x pucon…We just spent six weeks training in the canary islands and when we were flying out of brussels united airlines told us that there was a charge of $200 per bike.I told the manager that these bike boxes were within the size/weight limits and that they have always gone free as checked luggage.The manager showed me the baggage policy on their website and in the end be did not charge us but said that next time they would charge.Upon returning home I wrote to customer relations at united and got a response saying that there was a charge of for bike boxes due to them being oversized and since they don’t fit on the conveyor belt, they had to be hand delivered to the luggage claim.I then asked them what about my box that fits on the conveyor and needs no special handling.I was told that regardless of the size, any bike is now charged $100for each way on domestic flights and $200 each way for international flights.Unfortunately there are thousands of bikers who have invested in bikes and boxes that meet airline size regulations who will now be subjected to exorbitant bike fees.Personally I am leaving a bike in Belgium and will start my tours from there or else take train elsewhere or fly an airline that will not rip me off.Even Ryan air charges only ten extra euros for a bike box over regular luggage.tell as many people as you can to boycott united and all their partners continental, us air ,luftansa.your bike could cost as much as your flight.I know that southwest is ok.Does anyone know about others like american or delta/ northwest?
Unfortunately this is not new news. I just sold my Surly LHT and bought a Bike Friday NWT for a new touring bike, I am planning some overseas travel and this seemed the best option. The other recommendation in touring circles is simply do not fly a U.S. carrier unless necessary. The topic was much discussed on here in the past.
There has been a bike fee on united for that amount for at least 5 years it actually went down some. There is a thread on it somewhere where most of the airlines prices are listed. But really you should always check that before making travel arrangements. It’s not like it’s not readily available on their websites. Also the number of bikers in the us flying wouldn’t even make a dent in their annual sales.
American Airlines is $150 each way domestic…
American Airlines is $150 each way domestic…
Which is higher than it used to be. However Delta is down to 150 from 300 which is nice haha.
They will charge you for a bike friday too as it is the same size as my dean. They will charge you regardless of size.As for bike charges, I knew that the airlines charged for bikes. The new part is now they are charging for a bike box that is no larger than a normal suitcase.
They will charge you for a bike friday too as it is the same size as my dean. They will charge you regardless of size.As for bike charges, I knew that the airlines charged for bikes. The new part is now they are charging for a bike box that is no larger than a normal suitcase.
That is NOT true.
http://www.united.com/...0773,00.html#bicycle
Allowance/requirements
Allowed in place of one checked bag if within the weight and size limits for a checked bag. Bicycles weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) or exceeding 62 linear inches (158 linear cm) will be subject to a service charge each way.
Edit- this is actually sort of new. it used to be 'we don’t care how small your bike is packed, we’ll charge you for it" More and more airlines are now going this same route as UAL, if it really is w/in the size/weight requirements of a checked bag, then no charge.
Frontier Airlines is the bomb for traveling with a bike domestically. a normally boxed bike, which as you point out costs $100+ on the legacy airlines and others, is considered normal baggage and subject to the normal checked baggage fee ($20). they changed their policy last April specifically to appeal to us (riders).
http://media.frontierairlines.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=5264
Frontier Airlines is the bomb for traveling with a bike domestically. a normally boxed bike, which as you point out costs $100+ on the legacy airlines and others, is considered normal baggage and subject to the normal checked baggage fee ($20). they changed their policy last April specifically to appeal to us (riders).
http://media.frontierairlines.com/....cfm?article_id=5264
And if you get the middle or upper tiered airfare on Frontier, out of the 3 fare classes offered, you get free luggage (2 pieces), one of which can be your bike. I am discovering that the middle level fare is a pretty good deal, as the bike/luggage are free, you get better choice of seats, and the fare is more easily changed if your travel plans change. Since the middle fare is generally $30 more than the lowest fee, you come out pretty close to even.
Allowance/requirements
Allowed in place of one checked bag if within the weight and size limits for a checked bag. Bicycles weighing more than 50 pounds (23 kg) or exceeding 62 linear inches (158 linear cm) will be subject to a service charge each way.
Edit- this is actually sort of new. it used to be 'we don’t care how small your bike is packed, we’ll charge you for it" More and more airlines are now going this same route as UAL, if it really is w/in the size/weight requirements of a checked bag, then no charge.
That’s united? Wow, that must be new. I had an embarassing moment on the way back from kona with United regarding my bike in an aerus softcase which I claimed to be a massage bench (well it did work on my outbound flight 
). I think the girl at the checkin desk had seen enough bikes go through in the previous two weeks after race day to know what a bike looked like unfortunately… “If that’s a massage bench, you won’t mind opening the bag then sir?” 
While they are very bike friendly, with Frontier Airlines your bike+box will have to be under 50 lbs or they will charge you a $75 overweight fee. At least that was the way it was last September.
jaretj
united airlines is terrible overall, not just in bike fees. avoid them like the plague.
British Airways allows bikes as part of you checked luggage allowance as long as it is under the weight limit.
Fly SWA. They only charge $50 each way.
Greg
AA Pilot
Since touring europe in 1977, my wife and I have done over seventy bike tours in about that many countries and have never paid for our bikes.In the good old days bike flew free as one piece of luggage.When airlines started charging for bikes, we got titanium race bikes with s& s couplings that fit into boxes that were 62 linear inches and went as regular checked luggage.We flew about twenty time with these bikes and did some cool races,then did a month long bike tour at norseman extreme twice,ironman france2x, imnz 3x, im malaysia, im brazil, 2x pucon…We just spent six weeks training in the canary islands and when we were flying out of brussels united airlines told us that there was a charge of $200 per bike.I told the manager that these bike boxes were within the size/weight limits and that they have always gone free as checked luggage.The manager showed me the baggage policy on their website and in the end be did not charge us but said that next time they would charge.Upon returning home I wrote to customer relations at united and got a response saying that there was a charge of for bike boxes due to them being oversized and since they don’t fit on the conveyor belt, they had to be hand delivered to the luggage claim.I then asked them what about my box that fits on the conveyor and needs no special handling.I was told that regardless of the size, any bike is now charged $100for each way on domestic flights and $200 each way for international flights.Unfortunately there are thousands of bikers who have invested in bikes and boxes that meet airline size regulations who will now be subjected to exorbitant bike fees.Personally I am leaving a bike in Belgium and will start my tours from there or else take train elsewhere or fly an airline that will not rip me off.Even Ryan air charges only ten extra euros for a bike box over regular luggage.tell as many people as you can to boycott united and all their partners continental, us air ,luftansa.your bike could cost as much as your flight.I know that southwest is ok.Does anyone know about others like american or delta/ northwest?
You are complaining about a couple of hundred dollars? Boo-hoo.
Fly SWA. They only charge $50 each way.
Greg
AA Pilot
Amazing!
yeah, leaving Kona they know what’s in that bag. And unfortunately that bag is bigger than standard baggage. Those bags are 50/50 now. Most airlines know what they are and will charge because they can. One time I’d like to fly w/ it w/o a bike so when they ask I can say no bike and see what they do (because they imply if it’s a bike we gotta charge you, even though in reality they either do have to charge you because of the size, or don’t because of the size).
FWIW Lufthansa is the worst. Flew to Roth a few years back out of Phil and they charged 400$/bike one way. (almost more than the fucking ticket) complete dicks about it. charged for it being a bike then for being over sized . Interestingly on the way back out of germany it was only 200$/bike
The last time I traveled on AA with my Aerus bag, I didn’t pay bike fees…only regular baggage fees. On the outbound flight the chick knew exactly what it was and even asked where I was going riding. On the homebound flight, the dude asked what was in it…I told him tri equipment. The key (I think) to both flights was that I prepaid the normal baggage fee before getting to the counter. In a crowded airport, it really seems that the agents don’t want to deal with redoing the transaction.
Since touring europe in 1977, my wife and I have done over seventy bike tours in about that many countries and have never paid for our bikes.In the good old days bike flew free as one piece of luggage.When airlines started charging for bikes, we got titanium race bikes with s& s couplings that fit into boxes that were 62 linear inches and went as regular checked luggage.We flew about twenty time with these bikes and did some cool races,then did a month long bike tour at norseman extreme twice,ironman france2x, imnz 3x, im malaysia, im brazil, 2x pucon…We just spent six weeks training in the canary islands…
I am trying to feel your pain, I really am…