Flying with a Bike

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
ubert767
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by ubert767 »

I too use a LBS bike box for the outward leg where damage to the bike would be more upsetting!!!!!
For the return leg of a tour I use the CTC type polybag method. In addition I add scrounged cardboard cartons from supermarkets etc to beef up the protection around the front forks and rear hub area (Rohloff with ex-box) before bagging. As well as protection, some visible cardboard can help to persuade the check-in staff that your bike is acceptably packaged for flight.
The world is awash with cardboard.
Ivor Tingting
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by Ivor Tingting »

I always put my bike in a bike box, generally Giant as these are the best size, not too small not too big, then I can put other stuff in it as well that I can't take on the plane. I would never just use a plastic bag for my bike. I would be panicking what might happen to it. Flying with it in a bike box is traumatic enough. I have never had any damage done to the box. I would NEVER fly BA and certainly not on Ryanair with my bike. Ryanair is only short haul which makes me wonder why people couldn't ride instead or take a train? Far Eastern long haul carriers are pretty good.
"Zat is ze reel prowoking qwestion Mr Paxman." - Peer Steinbruck, German Finance Minister 31/03/2009.
hamster
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by hamster »

Ivor Tingting wrote:Ryanair is only short haul which makes me wonder why people couldn't ride instead or take a train?


Try doing a week's tour in Denmark now that the Harwich ferry is gone. Half the week would be spent getting there or back.
Antbrewer
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by Antbrewer »

I have just returned from a fortnight's touring in the Salzgammergut region of Austria and a foray into Germany . Flying from Gatwick to Salzburg via BA. All new to me.
I used the CTC polybag to pack the bike as this is allowed by BA and as long as it is within the weight allowance the bike goes free. Fine.
So packed the bike up with front wheel and handle bars removed and tucked under the crossbar and pedals off and all taped up in the bag. Checkin desk was fine and the pleasant young girl took me (with the bike on a trolley) across to the bulky items area where an Indian guy was operating the conveyor belt system. He took one look at the bike and said emphatically ''No''. ''That will ruin the belt and I will lose my job''. He then suggested that I remove the crank. I said that I would not unpack the bike and remove the crank. How b---dy riduclous! The young girl was astounded on my behalf and said she would sort it. She found an old cardboard box and undid it and we lashed to the side of the bag. This in effect smoothed out the side of the bag and the crank which only stuck out slightly anyway . The Indian then accepted it.
Bike arrived in Salzburg perfectly unharmed.
On my return to the Salzburg airport two days ago I stopped at a supermarket and got two boxes and did the same (as at Gatwick) before presenting it to the bulky items chap. No problems whatsoever.
Moral of the story is use cardboard to smooth out both sides of the poly bag.

I would take my bike this way again although I found packing and unpacking the bike quite a bit of effort. Though I could fold up the polybag and carry it in the panniers along with the string, tape and foam I used to protect the frame. With other boxes and bags this of course is not possible.

Just as a rider having to fly from Gatwick and living in Solihull West Mids I drove down to Gatwick and used the 'Meet and Greet' car park arrangement. That too worked really well in a very professional way.

Anthony
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bigjim
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by bigjim »

Thing is [some people will not bother about it] that CTC polybag weighs about 1kg. I dislike having to haul it about on tour with me. I know some, and me too, use it as a groundsheet etc, but IMO it is still a pest.
Oh for the days, when some well mannered serf saluted you at the airport, before wheeling your complete bicycle onto the plane. Then you could retire to the lounge for a stiff G&T. Eventually, tapping your pipe out, adjusting ones cravat and strolling out to find ones seat. Where did it all go wrong?
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MrsHJ
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by MrsHJ »

bigjim wrote:Thing is [some people will not bother about it] that CTC polybag weighs about 1kg. I dislike having to haul it about on tour with me. I know some, and me too, use it as a groundsheet etc, but IMO it is still a pest.
Oh for the days, when some well mannered serf saluted you at the airport, before wheeling your complete bicycle onto the plane. Then you could retire to the lounge for a stiff G&T. Eventually, tapping your pipe out, adjusting ones cravat and strolling out to find ones seat. Where did it all go wrong?


Love that image. I turned up in Madrid once 45 mins before a BA flight home, bought a ticket and they just wheeled the bike away!

Interesting point about the poly bag weight. I have chopped the end off mine-probably about a quarter of it. I then rolled it as tight as possible. I think strapping under the rack would be possible but strapped mine on top with the tent. Next flight is transatlantic though to D.C. so I'm expecting to have to box it and am already making overtures to the LBS who have already been working on the bike to prep it. I'm planning to stay near a bike shop before my flight home from St Louis and I'll probably reach out before I travel to find the friendliest one. This next trip I'm also planning on ditching the camping gear for and going earlier in the season i.e. May to miss the worst of the heat.

Bristol by the way put the bike on the belt-I was very peed off and expressed my displeasure in unprintable form to the staff when it stopped the whole belt.
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mjr
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by mjr »

hamster wrote:
Ivor Tingting wrote:Ryanair is only short haul which makes me wonder why people couldn't ride instead or take a train?


Try doing a week's tour in Denmark now that the Harwich ferry is gone. Half the week would be spent getting there or back.

It's only ~12 hours of trains between the Hague (near the Hook) and Copenhagen, so could be done in a day.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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hamster
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by hamster »

mjr wrote:
hamster wrote:
Ivor Tingting wrote:Ryanair is only short haul which makes me wonder why people couldn't ride instead or take a train?


Try doing a week's tour in Denmark now that the Harwich ferry is gone. Half the week would be spent getting there or back.

It's only ~12 hours of trains between the Hague (near the Hook) and Copenhagen, so could be done in a day.


Plus travel to Harwich in the UK, plus the ferry - that's another 12 hours. You also end up in an overnight each way...3 days there and back, as I said.
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mjr
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by mjr »

hamster wrote:
mjr wrote:
hamster wrote:Try doing a week's tour in Denmark now that the Harwich ferry is gone. Half the week would be spent getting there or back.

It's only ~12 hours of trains between the Hague (near the Hook) and Copenhagen, so could be done in a day.


Plus travel to Harwich in the UK, plus the ferry - that's another 12 hours. You also end up in an overnight each way...3 days there and back, as I said.

Oh well, how was I to know you use 6 day weeks? ;-) Anyway, I'd overnight on the ferry and Harwich is 1½h from London, or 2½h from where I am, so it's only just over a day each way, so about 2 days (a third of one of your weeks). Most airports take as long to get to, plus their checkins are more awkward, there's all the bike wrangling and you don't get a night's accommodation, so I don't think I lose much real time.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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bg
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by bg »

I have flown with BA Gatwick to Nice twice now with my bike in the CTC poly bag with just the handlebars turned and pedals removed.

The staff have all been very helpful and no problem with the oversize luggage.

To date the poly bag has not suffered any damage let alone the bike.
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MrsHJ
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by MrsHJ »

pete75 wrote:Just looked into flying with bike and found BA take them free as part of your inclusive luggage allowance. Business class allows two 32kg items in Europe which is enough for bike and luggage. However they do say " Thin polythene covers aren't recommended by us because they offer very little protection - which means that if you arrive with your bike in one, our airport team might ask you to sign a damage disclaimer."


I’m a bit slow and just catching up with the whole fly British airways thing and include your bike for free. Do people find it doable to fit all of their bike luggage in hand luggage of what, about, 45l? I guess I don’t mind paying £65 each way anyway (compared to say $200 with American)- I mostly want no surprises or difficulties at the airport.

Presumably people strap any liquids to the bikes or don’t take them/use tiny ones that meet carry on requirements? What about tools and a knife for picnics..I guess I’d be inclined to leave that sort of thing in a small rackoack on the bike.
pete75
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by pete75 »

MrsHJ wrote:
pete75 wrote:Just looked into flying with bike and found BA take them free as part of your inclusive luggage allowance. Business class allows two 32kg items in Europe which is enough for bike and luggage. However they do say " Thin polythene covers aren't recommended by us because they offer very little protection - which means that if you arrive with your bike in one, our airport team might ask you to sign a damage disclaimer."


I’m a bit slow and just catching up with the whole fly British airways thing and include your bike for free. Do people find it doable to fit all of their bike luggage in hand luggage of what, about, 45l? I guess I don’t mind paying £65 each way anyway (compared to say $200 with American)- I mostly want no surprises or difficulties at the airport.

Presumably people strap any liquids to the bikes or don’t take them/use tiny ones that meet carry on requirements? What about tools and a knife for picnics..I guess I’d be inclined to leave that sort of thing in a small rackoack on the bike.


Leave them in your hold luggage. BA allow two 32kg items of hold luggage. You can take hand luggage as well.
'Give me my bike, a bit of sunshine - and a stop-off for a lunchtime pint - and I'm a happy man.' - Reg Baker
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MrsHJ
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by MrsHJ »

pete75 wrote:
MrsHJ wrote:
pete75 wrote:Just looked into flying with bike and found BA take them free as part of your inclusive luggage allowance. Business class allows two 32kg items in Europe which is enough for bike and luggage. However they do say " Thin polythene covers aren't recommended by us because they offer very little protection - which means that if you arrive with your bike in one, our airport team might ask you to sign a damage disclaimer."


I’m a bit slow and just catching up with the whole fly British airways thing and include your bike for free. Do people find it doable to fit all of their bike luggage in hand luggage of what, about, 45l? I guess I don’t mind paying £65 each way anyway (compared to say $200 with American)- I mostly want no surprises or difficulties at the airport.

Presumably people strap any liquids to the bikes or don’t take them/use tiny ones that meet carry on requirements? What about tools and a knife for picnics..I guess I’d be inclined to leave that sort of thing in a small rackoack on the bike.


Leave them in your hold luggage. BA allow two 32kg items of hold luggage. You can take hand luggage as well.


I’ll be on the wing in world traveller class so I think it’s one x 23kg for me. I Should have collected those avois points! I think that £65 is ok- I’m more concerned about us airlines on the domestic legs where BA don’t fly. https://www.britishairways.com/en-us/in ... allowances
toontra
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by toontra »

I'm off to Tenerife with Jet2 tomorrow. £35 flight plus £30 extra for the bike each way. I use a padded canvas bag that's stood up to 10 flights so far and is still in one piece (more or less). Rolls up small enough to carry on the rear rack but still offers a fair bit of protection.

Just have to pray that the baggage handlers go easy with it - always a nervy time collecting it at the other end.
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mjr
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Re: Flying with a Bike

Post by mjr »

simonhill wrote:
delilah wrote:Ryan Air have almost signalled the death knell for me touring with my bike by air!
Flew out to Charleroi in June with bike in cardboard box.
On returning dismantelled, packed and taped bike up in plastic CTC bag only to be told Ryan Air would not accept it!
They took me round the counter and showed me picture sent from Ryan Air Air showing plastic see-through bags would not be accepted. Only Boxes and Bags.
I complained that it was news to me and that I had flown Ryan Air several times before and they always accepted plastic /nylon bags.
They wouldn't budge. Made me unpack my bike. Purchase a cardboard box from them for E30 which I had to assemble myself!
So Ryan Air are definately off my radar?
ps I had considered flying to Luxembourg next year with Flye Be but they have a policy of only accepting bikes if there's room on the plane at the time so I'm not sure if I turned up whether I get out or back with my bike!!!


Seeing as this was 3 months ago and there have been no other reports, I wonder if it really is a Ryan-wide thing, or just Charleroi getting bolshy. Plus, of course, taking the opportunity to sell a very expensive cardboard box. Its not difficult to create a Company letter to show what you want is official policy. The fact they had it and showed it rather smacks of them being prepared to have their (own) rules challenged.

I fly a lot and find that rules are rules, but each airport may find a reason to vary them to their whim or advantage. Some airports will not accept bikes unless boxed - regardless of what the airline require.

Anyone else been subject to this new Ryanair rule?

Yes, see viewtopic.php?f=16&t=129829
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
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