Which international (Europe bound) airlines allow the plastic bag bike as luggage?
#1
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Which international (Europe bound) airlines allow the plastic bag bike as luggage?
Hope everyone knows what I am tlking about… some airlines allow removing bike pedals, twisting handlebars stuff in plastic bag bike to check in. Granted…there is no protection of the bike once you hand it off but I have two bikes in europe that would be good to try this on.
#2
bicycle tourist
I don't know if this is still the case, but I have flown on Lufthansa with a bicycle not in a box. That is also at odds with what I see on their web site right now (https://www.lufthansa.com/br/en/sportgepaeck): "bicycles will only be accepted if they are packaged in a suitable bicycle case or a similar container. Lufthansa is not able to provide you with packaging."
#5
Senior Member
I agree they all do it, have done it numerous times at the end of a tour including from Laos. Bike has never been damaged and I believe they actually see what they are handling and treat it accordingly. Never hesitate to fly with my bike in a simple bag.
#6
aka Timi
Most european airlines specify that bicycles must be in a suitable box.
Just by the condition the box ends up in sometimes, would not make a plastic bag a sensible choice.
Just by the condition the box ends up in sometimes, would not make a plastic bag a sensible choice.
#7
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I'll be flying Condor Airlines in a few months: LAX to Frankfurt. I'll be taking a Bike Friday folding bicycle and using their canvas bag.
From https://www.condor.com/us/flight-pre...-equipment.jsp :
"....bicycles are only transported packed. We recommend bicycle cases or bags as packaging"
"Dimensions: max. length 200 cm x width 40 cm x height 100 cm or length 300 cm x width 40 cm x height 60 cm. Anything higher, longer or wider must be registered with customer service (phone / WhatsApp).
Weight: up to max. 30 kg."
From https://www.condor.com/us/flight-pre...-equipment.jsp :
"....bicycles are only transported packed. We recommend bicycle cases or bags as packaging"
"Dimensions: max. length 200 cm x width 40 cm x height 100 cm or length 300 cm x width 40 cm x height 60 cm. Anything higher, longer or wider must be registered with customer service (phone / WhatsApp).
Weight: up to max. 30 kg."
#8
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Here is a short six year old thread on the topic, but Wow airlines no longer exists.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...ir-travel.html
In that thread, Jefnvk mentioned where he bought the bag.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...ir-travel.html
In that thread, Jefnvk mentioned where he bought the bag.
#10
I flew back from Spain with the bike in a bag. Three flights. Two on Iberia and one on BA. Rear wheel was tweaked ever so slightly, but the bike was otherwise fine.
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Here is a short six year old thread on the topic, but Wow airlines no longer exists.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...ir-travel.html
In that thread, Jefnvk mentioned where he bought the bag.
https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/1...ir-travel.html
In that thread, Jefnvk mentioned where he bought the bag.
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#13
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hey there PW, Air Transat here in Quebec allow the plastic bag option, or at least they still were last year--Probably not really practical or worth it for you with crossing a land border first, and travel time to get to Montreal.
When I was going through oversize security with my bike box last summer, a lady was coming through behind me with her plastic bag wrapped bike. I was quite surprised by how few protective bits she was using--ie, she had a pop bottle taped to the fork dropouts instead of a solid plastic thing you can get from a bike store etc and none of the other bits for protecting the rear derailleur etc.
I remember thinking, "hope the baggage handlers are in a good mood"
We spoke a little and she seemed rather innocently oblivious, or very, very naive that everything would be just fine, and I really hope it was.
When I was going through oversize security with my bike box last summer, a lady was coming through behind me with her plastic bag wrapped bike. I was quite surprised by how few protective bits she was using--ie, she had a pop bottle taped to the fork dropouts instead of a solid plastic thing you can get from a bike store etc and none of the other bits for protecting the rear derailleur etc.
I remember thinking, "hope the baggage handlers are in a good mood"
We spoke a little and she seemed rather innocently oblivious, or very, very naive that everything would be just fine, and I really hope it was.
#14
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Yeah I used this 25 years ago on a kids bike and it worked out
In my case I got two touri g bikes in Europe that if I bring them back I would certainly rebuild them for fun so if the get damaged …it may be worth the risk for less packing hassle
In my case I got two touri g bikes in Europe that if I bring them back I would certainly rebuild them for fun so if the get damaged …it may be worth the risk for less packing hassle
#15
Senior Member
It seems to me that doing all this work is about the same as what we do using a box also, attaching the front wheel to the frame etc.
Anyway, hope it works out if you end up doing this one day.
#16
I wouldn't use just a cheap plastic garbage bag, but one touted as high strength, or something thicker.
I was pondering something similar the other day: Arrive at the airport with my folding bike, wheel to one of those kiosks that wrap your expensive luggage in industrial saran wrap (used on palleted goods), quick wrap in moving blanket (cheap, can discard at each end and buy another), then have them wrap it, they usually do in both directions for full coverage. I don't know the fee for that, but probably not too much. Oh and have a luggage tag on the bike in case it comes open, and airline luggage sticky tag will be on outside.
I was pondering something similar the other day: Arrive at the airport with my folding bike, wheel to one of those kiosks that wrap your expensive luggage in industrial saran wrap (used on palleted goods), quick wrap in moving blanket (cheap, can discard at each end and buy another), then have them wrap it, they usually do in both directions for full coverage. I don't know the fee for that, but probably not too much. Oh and have a luggage tag on the bike in case it comes open, and airline luggage sticky tag will be on outside.
Last edited by Duragrouch; 03-12-24 at 10:38 PM.
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#17
I have a friend who has toured many times to Europe from San Francisco. She has always used the industrial saran wrap with good success, leaves the wheels on so the bike will roll, etc. But, on the last few trips the airlines have really cracked down on wrapped bikes. Finally, this year she gave up and boxed her bike. YMMV, of course.
We made our first European tour (flew into Madrid) this summer. Our bikes were in cardboard boxes. All was fine both ways.
We made our first European tour (flew into Madrid) this summer. Our bikes were in cardboard boxes. All was fine both ways.
#18
I have a friend who has toured many times to Europe from San Francisco. She has always used the industrial saran wrap with good success, leaves the wheels on so the bike will roll, etc. But, on the last few trips the airlines have really cracked down on wrapped bikes. Finally, this year she gave up and boxed her bike. YMMV, of course.
We made our first European tour (flew into Madrid) this summer. Our bikes were in cardboard boxes. All was fine both ways.
We made our first European tour (flew into Madrid) this summer. Our bikes were in cardboard boxes. All was fine both ways.
#19
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Bring a big wad of zip ties along, and a small side cutter or a good toenail cutter to cut the zip ties in case you put one on and find you need to remove it. Plus of course the plastic bags.
#20
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Oh she wrapped a whole bike? Does sound easier than boxing, but I think more vulnerable to damage. I'm thinking a 20" wheel folder, pretty compact when folded, though I'd still have to pull the wheels off to put beside frame to make max 62" girth, and it would still be close. Of late, I've realized that if I am allowed two checked bags free, I can separate things, wheels in one bag, frame/seatpost/handlebars and riser/stem in another, other stuff packed around those, will make under 62" for each easy. I'd first get to the airport tons early, see if they would take the whole folded bike no charge, if so great, if not I'd go off to the side and pull things apart and bag. This is all theory, never tried. On the train the folded bike just goes on luggage rack inside passenger car, within Amtrak regs and super easy.
But, that frame is big enough that i had to remove the fork from the frame. Also the crankset has to come off.
I have a DIY wooden center support in the case, just in case airline personnel stack extra luggage on top of my bike.
#21
aka Timi
If you’re denied at check-in, then what a ticketing agent or someone you called at customer service said is irrelevant unless you can back it up with the airline’s (or code-shared airline’s) web site information.
Typically that scenario would give you an hour or so to find enough cardboard to tape a box together. It could get hairy!
#22
bicycle tourist
#23
aka Timi
A few anecdotes and pictures of ”look it didn’t get damaged” isn’t the same as ”this is a good way to pack your bike”
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#24
Senior Member
As stated earlier, clear packaging informs the handlers that they are processing a bicycle and treats the item as such. I have travelled with my bike at least ten times internationally and within N.A., in a clear bag without issue.
#25
That center support is smart. I'll have to remember that. Even better if the parts for such, can serve another purpose on the tour. I think my folder seatpost and seat, over 60cm, would be too long, otherwise I could use that and fab a flat part and plug to fit in the lower end.