A Guide To Flying With Bicycles

Jun 07, 2023

A thorough review of how to fly with a bicycle to and from your destination. Complete with a table of major airlines' policies.

Ever wondered if you can take your bicycle on a flight as luggage? Maybe you're flying to a place with lots of cycling trails or bike lanes and would rather use your own two wheels than a hired ride. Since there are no bicycle racks on aircraft, the carry-on bins are too small to accept full-size bicycles, and the flight attendants would not appreciate any space in their relatively small galleys replaced by bicycle racks; this guide answers the question: What can be done about taking a bicycle on a commercial flight?

To clarify, this guide will concern non-folding bicycles - airlines can have different policies regarding folding bikes, which are easier to store and can often be taken onboard as hand luggage.

Yes, you can disassemble your bicycle and bring it on your trip as checked baggage, so long as it is suitably packaged up. You can, for instance, place your dissembled bike into a cardboard box to save money, although this increases the risk of your bike being damaged in transit.

Many travelers have not just done that but have also videoed the process for YouTube. One YouTuber thoroughly documented his process using a cardboard box and supplemental materials to dissemble his bicycle for shipping:

There are also bike sacks, unique bags intended to stash a dissembled bicycle. A cursory review of Amazon shows that they're currently available for less than $75 US. One also can check with an airline about their carry-on size and attempt to find a bag smaller than the permitted maximum.

Check out our guide on the ins and outs of flying with a folded bike.

Alternatively, if someone is up to investing hundreds of US dollars, one can use a hardened bike case for maximum protection. But those cases add weight and risk making the total weight beyond what an airline can handle.

Below is a table of significant airlines' policies on checking bicycles for your flight for your reference. This information is, as of June 2023, pulled from the airlines' websites and built on work from The Planet Edit:

Airline

Bike Fee

Max Weight

Max Dimensions

Notes

Air Canada

$50

70lb/32kg

292cm/115in total dimensions

Bikes should be registered at the time of booking and must be packed in a hard-shell bike case, with tires partially deflated. The case should contain no other items. Each bicycle counts as one piece of baggage toward the maximum number of checked bags your fare type allows. Plus, it’s accepted on a space-available basis only. The fee applies to one-way flights and for each way of travel on round-trip and multi-segment flights. Latitude, Premium Economy, or Business Class passengers within Canada or on Canada-US flights will be exempt from the $50 fee.

Air France

Varies from (€40 - €100) based on distance

50lb/23kg

118in/300cm total dimensions

Requires approval at least 48 hours before flying. Any battery over 160 watts is not allowed onboard any Air France aircraft. Cardboard boxes suitable for bicycles (175 x 21.5 x 86 cm) are on sale at Air France check-in counters at most airports.

Air New Zealand (ANZ)

NZD 25

50lb/23kg

62in/158cm total dimensions

Bikes must be properly packed and accepted as checked luggage. For NZD 25 at a New Zealand airport, Air New Zealand will sell you a bike box with dimensions of 80cm x 144cm x 31cm.

Alaska Airlines

$30

None

The fee, which used to be up to $75, is for the first bag. If having another piece of checked luggage for any reason, that second piece is $40, and further checked bags, if allowed, are $100 per bag.

All Nippon Airways/ANA

Free if below limit

None

62in to 115in total dimensions

There is a fee if the aircraft and flight route requires it between 62in/158cm and 115in/292cm.

American Airlines

No fee

50lb/23kg

61in/157cm total dimensions

If the bike is overweight/oversized, there will be a fee of $150.

British Airways

No fee

50lb/23kg

75 x 37.5 x 25.5in/190x75x65cm total dimensions

Call at least 72 hours ahead of time to confirm your bike reservation.

Delta

No fee

70lb/32kg

61in/157cm total dimensions

The airline removed its fixed sports equipment fee back in 2019. However, if a bike is overweight/oversized, there will be a fee of $150.

EasyJet

£45 online, £55 at the airport

70lb/32kg

Unclear

Bike must be stored in a bicycle box or bicycle bag. You can easily add your bicycle to bookings via the airline's website or app under 'My Bookings,' then 'Add Sports Equipment.'

Emirates

No fee

44-77lb/20-35kg depending on class

118in/300cm total dimensions

Bikes are accepted and count as one item of your standard checked baggage allowance. The bike must be registered at least 24 hours before the flight.

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Varies

70lb/32kg

80 in/203cm total dimensions

If boarding a 737; the max length is 39 in/100 cm.

JetBlue

$100

99lb/44kg

61in/157cm total dimensions (bike cases - 80in max dimensions)

Bikes are treated as checked baggage and also command a fee of $100 per item. If the bike is overweight/oversized, JetBlue will not accept it. Bicycles are not accepted on flights to/from the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Peru, and Port of Spain. BUT bicycles are accepted on flights to/from Cuba if they are in plastic, hard-sided, padded case designed for bikes and no more than 70 pounds/32 kilograms and 80 linear inches/203 centimeters (length + width + height).

Jet2

£30

70lb/32kg

71x35in/182x91cm

Register bike in advance. You may need proof of insurance covering your bike's journey.

Korean Air

Varies

70lb/32kg

115in/292cm total dimensions

One bicycle is one piece of checked baggage, and the fees vary based on seating class & destination.

Lufthansa

No fee

50lb/23kg

110in/280cm total dimensions

Must be in a suitable bicycle case. Can ship per person one standard bicycle (non-motorized/no e-bikes) OR 1 children’s bicycle trailer OR 1 unicycle as part of your checked baggage allowance set by seating/travel class. You can register your bike up to 24 hours before flying. Register as early as possible, as there is limited space onboard flights.

Qantas

No fee

70lb/32kg

55x12x32in / 140x30x80cm

Must be packed in a bike box, which can be purchased at most Qantas terminals in Australia.

Ryanair

€/£60 (€/£75 at the airport)

66lb/30kg

Unclear

Must be packed in a box or protective bike bag. Plus, the fee goes up to €/£75 if checked in person and not online.

Southwest

$75 if beyond a certain size

100lb/45kg

80 in/203cm total dimensions

If less than 51 pounds/23 kilograms in weight and 62 inches/157 centimeters or less in overall dimensions, the bicycle can count towards free checked luggage. If beyond that, the bike must be non-motorized and single seat adequately packed in a bicycle box or hard case from 51 to 100 pounds in weight or 62 to 80 inches in total dimensions.

Spirit

$75

100lb/45kg

80 in/203cm total dimensions

To ship a bike, it’s checked baggage with an additional charge. To add a bicycle to your reservation, you must use a Spirit reservation center or visit a Guest Service Agent at the airport.

United

$35 if the first bag, $45 if the second bag

50lb/23kg

60 in/152cm total dimensions

Will accept as checked baggage at the airport check-in counter only nonmotorized bicycles. Standard checked baggage fees, as well as overweight service charges, still apply.

Virgin Atlantic

Depends on seating class

23kg

Unclear

If the bike is overweight/oversized, there will be a fee of £65+.

Westjet

CAD$50

100lb/45kg

115in/292cm max

Bikes must be packed flat in a bicycle bag or box. The exact fees can vary depending on seating class and destination, on top of a $50 handling charge.

It is worth noting a few common themes of airline bicycle policies that stand out:

One could always ship a bicycle at a shipping store via United Parcel Services (UPS) or Federal Express (FedEx). For instance, FedEx has a bike box that measures 54" x 8" x 28" and can be purchased at FedEx Office locations to disassemble your bike with a maximum weight of 95 pounds/43 kilograms. Again, you will have to unpack your bicycle and understand that packages get jostled in handling by an airline ground crew or a transport company's personnel.

This option will probably cost more than checking your bicycle into the hold as a passenger, but it can be necessary if you don't meet your airline's baggage policies or no space is available. Cycling website BikeToWorkDay notes that the typical rate to ship a 50lb bike between New York and San Francisco will set you back between $50 to $250 with major freight providers. In comparison, specialist bike shippers will charge around $150 on routes of similar length.

Yes, you can take your bicycle on a flight and back, but you can't just show up to the airport with the bike fully intact and hope to get it onboard. Many airlines specifically spell out bicycle carriage in their luggage policies - you can use a cardboard box, bicycle bag, or even a hard case. Still, some airlines are specific about case requirements, so check in advance.

Yes, you may also use shipping services to ship your bicycle to meet you when you arrive at your destination and ship home. But be prepared to pay for taking your bike with you on your travels. As for motorized bikes, requirements are much more stringent (and many airlines ban them altogether).

Source: The Planet Edit, BikeToWorkDay

Journalist - With 10 years of experience as a travel writer and aviation analyst, Luke has worked with industry-leaders including Skyscanner, KLM and HotelsCombined throughout his career. As a passionate traveler based across the Middle East and East Asia, Luke offers strong insights into the travel and aviation industry. Based in the United Kingdom

Journalist - When not reading and writing about aviation, Joe is photographing it. Joe Loves educating the public about aviation, and generating enthusiasm around flying while supporting all those who work in aviation. Based in Skagit County, United States