Flying with KLM - What Bike cost / experience ?

[matt2matt2002]

i'm planning to use KLM for a flight from Aberdeen to Marrakesh in July
Their site does not give a cost but says I must pay at the check-in.
Anyone any experience of using KLM and their costs?
Thanks

[randonneur]

Have not flown with KLM recently due to high fees for carriage of bicycles. Got stung a few years ago just after fees were introduced, despite having there frequent flyer silver card allowing additional luggage allowance.
For the record Aberdeen Marrakesh will set you back 55Euro each way. It is all available on their web site.

[matt2matt2002]

Thanks
I missed seeing that on the web site.
I went to the additional luggage page.
Then bikes
And then it said unable to give price on the site. It had to be paid at the airport.
I'll check again.
Thanks.

For the record, I paid 70 Euro with Turkish airlines for Edinburgh to Addis Ababa.
I wasn't taking any other luggage apart from carry on but going out they wouldn't off set the allowance against the bike.
But coming back from Addis the check in girl immediately said the bike could go free, without me even asking!

Certainly pot luck costs with a bike.

Thanks again.

[simonhill]

Presumably the flight is via Amsterdam. Check the charge is for whole flight and not per leg.

[matt2matt2002]

Good advice. The devil is in the detail.

[matt2matt2002]

Presumably the flight is via Amsterdam. Check the charge is for whole flight and not per leg.

Just called and told it's each way.
Apart from my bike, I'll only be taking carry on luggage. I'll try my best to negotiate free bike in lieu. Managed it with Turkish airlines on the return flight from Addis Ababa to Edinburgh.

[Therealsouthstander]

Hi Matt

What is your route in Morocco? I'm really keen to do a small tour here,it looks fantastic.

I would imagine July would be extremely hot and I've also heard food and water is not exactly easy to find.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

[matt2matt2002]

Hi.
Good to hear your enquiry
I'll be following the route done by this chap.
It's on crazy guy.
A bit of off road and some tough hills.
I'll have almost twice the time he had. Although he did crack on most days.
I won't camp. Travel very light. Just 2 front panniers on the rear. And a bar bag.
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/Morocco2018

Let me know if I can be if any more help.

[bobbyj]

Hi...I recently enquired with KLM about a flight to Bucharest from Lds/Bfd. but they said I had to buy my flight ticket FIRST (cost over £200... not sure about cost for the bike plus having to change at Amsterdam) before booking my bike on later which left the possibility that there wouldn't be room for it on that particular flight.
I subsequently changed my itinerary and got a flight to Budapest instead from Manchester (easy to get there by train) on Jet 2 which cost me £50 for the flight £30 for the bike and £22 hold luggage fee...1/2 the price. Get there quicker as well. Good luck...enjoy your trip.
Bob. J.

[matt2matt2002]

Quick update.
When I checked my bike in at Aberdeen airport I asked the lady if my bike could go free since I didn't have any hold luggage.
The KLM site specifically days I should have paid.

She studied the screen for a few minutes and then said yes, but don't tell anyone.

Does this count?

[matt2matt2002]

Final update.

I really like KLM ! !

Flying out of Marrakech back to Aberdeen via Amsterdam I wasn't charged for my bike.

So free there and free back.

This may have been because I didn't have any hold luggage. I traveled really light. Everything I needed was either in the bike box. ( Panniers tools ) Or in carry-on luggage.

Box arrived both ways in good condition.

10/10 KLM

[hufty]

matt2matt: ...so you promptly posted the fact on an internet forum for posterity. Genius!

[matt2matt2002]

matt2matt: ...so you promptly posted the fact on an internet forum for posterity. Genius!

Flattering comments indeed.
Many thanks.

[Winged wheels]

We regularly fly KLM/Air France never taken my bike but anecdotally I am sure that i have read that the way to fly bike is to state that it is sporting equipment?? Skis, golf clubs go free as do bikes? I have no evidence and no experience but suggest it worth an email/telephone call.