Whether or not you’re a passionate highway biker or mountain biker, simply signed up for a gravel bike race midway throughout the nation or just like to discover locations by way of two wheels, likelihood is you’ll need to fly with a bicycle in some unspecified time in the future.
Thankfully, most airways will accommodate bikes, although charges and restrictions differ by airline. So earlier than you guide, learn up on how a lot numerous airways cost to fly with bicycles, if there are any particular necessities and if there are any methods to keep away from these charges.
Bicycle insurance policies by airline
Most airways help you fly with a bicycle and can settle for it as checked baggage, which implies relevant charges will apply. However a motorbike is usually thought of particular baggage or sporting tools, and is often heavy, so further charges could also be required.
As a result of your bike can be dealt with like different baggage, you could need to contemplate buying a sturdy bike-specific case to guard your set of wheels. In reality, most airways advocate it in the event that they don’t outright require it.
Do notice that on many airways, bikes have to be nonmotorized.
Alaska Airways
Alaska treats bikes identical to common baggage and can even waive its typical oversize and chubby charges. This implies if a free checked bag isn’t included in your airfare (it’s in case you have an Alaska Airways Visa® bank card) or in case you are checking a motorbike along with common baggage, you’ll solely must pay the common $30 charge for the primary bag and $40 for the second.
American Airways
Should you don’t have elite standing, aren’t flying internationally or don’t have an American Airways bank card that gives free checked baggage, the standard checked baggage charges apply when flying with American. These charges embody outsized and chubby charges, so measure your carrying case earlier than you journey. This implies a motorbike would price $30 if it’s your first bag and $40 if it’s your second on a home flight, plus any relevant oversize charges (beginning at $100 for chubby and $200 for outsized).
Delta Air Traces
Bikes will be checked very similar to common baggage on most Delta flights, and the traditional baggage charges and chubby/oversize charges apply. Checked baggage are $30 for the primary bag and $40 for the second. Chubby baggage (over 50 kilos) begin at $100 and outsized baggage at $200. SkyMiles Medallion members and a few airline bank card customers can take pleasure in a free first checked bag.
Hawaiian Airways
Hawaiian’s bicycle coverage varies relying on the place you’re flying. Merely hopping from one Hawaiian island to a different will price $25. Should you’re flying to or from anyplace else in North America, it’s $100. And for those who’re touring internationally, it’s $150. Ought to your bike be heavier than 50 kilos, you’ll be topic to chubby charges that begin at $60.
JetBlue Airways
Bikes can fly on JetBlue, however it’s going to price you. Along with a checked baggage charge (which prices $35 for the primary bag and $60 for the second), you’ll must shell out $100 further per path of journey for sporting tools like bikes. On the upside, there’s no chubby or oversize charges tacked on, and Mint passengers, JetBlue Plus Card holders and Mosaic members stand up to 2 free checked baggage.
Southwest Airways
Southwest is without doubt one of the solely home airways left that gives not one, however two free checked baggage to each passenger. And so long as bikes fall inside common checked baggage dimensions (62 inches and below 50 kilos), they are often checked without cost with all of your different baggage. If a motorbike is outsized or chubby (that means it weighs 51 to 100 kilos or is 62 to 80 inches in complete dimensions), count on to pay a further $75.
United Airways
You may fly with a motorbike on United, however regular checked baggage charges will apply. Meaning you might have to pay a minimal of $30 in your first bag and $40 in your second, plus any relevant chubby charges. That mentioned, oversize charges are waived so long as you correctly pack your bike in response to United’s directions. Should you’re a MileagePlus Premier member, you possibly can test at the very least one bag without cost (relying in your standing degree), and a few United MileagePlus credit score cardholders can take pleasure in free checked baggage, too.
Methods to cut back the price of flying with a bicycle
Save a couple of dollars when flying along with your set of wheels, through the use of your airline standing to your benefit in case you have it. You may as well join an airline-branded bank card, which frequently gives advantages like free checked baggage (although oversize and particular dealing with charges could also be further).
Usually, one card will supply free baggage advantages to a number of individuals on the identical itinerary, which may save one household various {dollars}.
Alternatively, there’s all the time the choice to go away your bike at house and lease one if you arrive at your vacation spot, although these prices will be simply as excessive. It’s at the very least value doing a little analysis earlier than you journey.
The underside line
Flying with bicycles will be costly relying on which airline you might be touring with, how heavy your bike is, and even the place you’re headed.
Thankfully, now that you understand which airways are extra bike-friendly and tips on how to take pleasure in free checked baggage (together with bikes), it can save you a couple of {dollars} in your subsequent lively trip.
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