American Airlines scraps oversized bag charges
 

American airlines has scraped over sized bag charges for "oversized sports and music equipment." Hopefully tandems in a case fit into that category now.

Newsroom - American Airlines Eliminates Oversize Bag Fees for Sports and Music Equipment - American Airlines Group, Inc.

That is great news.
The last 3 years that I've flown into Canada with my mountain bike has cost me $150.00 each time.

This year, if I am lucky enough to get AA to waive the cancellation fee on our trip due to my wife breaking her leg, our tandem will fit into 2 boxes at 49# and 61.5" H x W x L.

From AA's site:
Seperately on their site, the list prices for 51-70 lb bags ($100 ea) and 71-100lb bags (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...ht-baggage.jsp)

The size limit is generous. A typical tandem-sized cardboard box, Bike Pro tandem case, or Scicon tandem case all fit within the 126in size limit. The weigh limit will be much more of a problem. IIRC, the Bike Pro case is 45lb empty, so that weight limit comes quickly. The other full-size cases weigh around 32lb, so it should be possible to at least pack the frameset into one. Wheels, pedals, seatposts, tools will have to go in another box/bag/case to stay under that 50lb mark.

The real winners here are the tandem riders who can fit their frame into a single bike case (Thule Roundtrip, Evoc XL, etc) and pack their wheels/tools in a second bag to stay under the weight limit. Those of us who use 2 S&S cases will continue to not pay bike fees.

From AA website if you drill down(I added the bold):

You can travel with 1 non-motorized touring, mountain, tandem, or racing bicycle if the:

• Bicycle is in a hard-sided case, bicycle bag or box built for bicycle transport
• Handlebars are fixed sideways
• Pedals are removed; or
• Pedals and handlebars are wrapped in plastic foam or a similar material

Please note that if your bicycle is not in a hard-sided case, it will be treated as a fragile item

Why does this feel like a threat?

IME "sports equipment" is a separate category, not to be confused with oversize/overweight bags.