by Lauren Almeida

Created on: March 22, 2010

Taking your bike onto an airplane can result in being quite a difficult task. Airport security has become really tight in the past few years, and the regulations passengers have to adhere to are even stricter. Because of these newly developed airline regulations, there are a few extra bridges you have to cross in order to get your bicycle on an airplane. 

Each airline has different rules about transporting bicycles. In most cases, your bike is going to have to be taken apart in order to get on the plane. However, before completing that chore, it’s a good idea to consult your airline customer service representatives to ensure that they allow bicycles on the plane. Read on the airline website about their bicycle regulations. 

Once you have found out what your airline permits, you will most likely have to take apart your bike. Luckily enough, for a small cost, some bike shops or even some hardware stores will disassemble your bike for you. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, or simply do not wish to have the bike shop take your bike apart for you, ensure beforehand that you have the proper tools. 

Depending on the age and style of your bike, the kind of nuts and bolts that are on it, and the different equipment you have attached to it, the tools you require may vary. However, the most common tools needed are screwdrivers (both regular and Philips), wrenches, Allen keys, and combination Allen wrenches. If you have a newer bike, chances are the bike is quick release, so taking it apart should be a piece of cake. 

Next, you will need to ensure that you have a big enough storage box for your bike. You can pack your bike into a number of different carriers, such as a bike bag or bike case. A benefit of having the bag or the case is that it’s easy to reuse and store. Bike boxes are expensive, but are very handy, especially if you do a lot of travelling where you plan on bringing your bike with you. If neither floats your boat, a cardboard box works fine, too. Use bubble wrap for protection against mishandling and turbulence. Also, don’t forget to check with your airline to see what dimensions the bike box should be. 

You will not have to disassemble the entire bike, just enough of it to store in its carrier. Begin by disassembling the front wheel. It’s a good idea to deflate the tires slightly, as the luggage cabin is not pressurized. Next, disassemble the pedals, and disengage the handlebar. Remove any other pieces from your bike that does not fit into the box, perhaps the seat and cargo. It’s a good idea to zip-tie the parts together in the box so they do not move around and get damaged during the flight. Keep any random nuts and bolts in plastic bags inside the box as well – just to ensure they won’t be lost. Lastly, be sure that your bike is sufficiently padded. This is so that it doesn’t move around inside during take off or landing, and should be well protected should the box be dropped. 

Some airlines may charge a fee to transport bicycles, and others may not allow bicycles on the plane at all. Other than renting a car or paying for a taxi, taking your bike to your travel destination allows you to have free (and economical) transportation. Getting to know the bicycle transportation regulations of airlines can be tiring, but in the end, it is worth it to have the knowledge.

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