Details

Date: 12/3/2022

Topic: Determining costs and size requirements for taking a bicycle on airlines (American, United, Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, Frontier) for North American travel (US and Canada).

Disclaimer: Policies on bags are subject to change; Check the links to confirm accuracy of this information.

To Do:

1. Check to see if your bicycle bag is a hard shell case.

2. Learn how to pack your bike properly.

3. Measure the length, width and height of your bike bag. Linear length = length + width + height.

4. Weigh your bike bag.

Airline Status

Airline status can influence baggage fees substantially. Ticket selection - super platinum status vs first class vs cheapest fare will impact baggage fees.

Bicycle Travel Bag (Case)

Airlines require hard shell cases; Otherwise, airlines assume no responsibility for damages OR airlines will require a limited liability release form to be signed.

Packing your bicycle

Airlines require that your bicycle is packed properly:

• Bicycle shall be packed in a sealed container using foam or similar protective material.

• Handlebars and pedals shall be removed and secured in protective materials.

American (https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/specialty-and-sports.jsp)

Linear length must be less than 126 inches.

Weight:

• Less than 50lbs - standard checked bag fee - $30 (first bag), $40 (second bag) One Way

• 50lbs to 70lbs - overweight checked bag fee - $100 One Way

• 70lbs to 100lbs - extra overweight bag fee - $200 One Way

• Over 100lbs - not permitted

Southwest (https://www.southwest.com/help/baggage/special-baggage-sports-equipment)

Linear length must be less than 80 inches.

• Weight less than 50lbs AND linear length less than 62 inches - $0 for 2 checked bags

• Weight 50lbs to 100lbs OR Linear length 62 inches to 80 inches - $75 One Way

• Weight over 100lbs - not permitted

• Linear length over 80 inches - not permitted

NOTE: Cardboard boxes and soft shell cases require limited liability release to be signed.

United (https://www.united.com/ual/en/US/fly/travel/baggage/sports-equipment.html)

Linear length must be less than 115 inches.

Weight:

• Less than 50lbs - standard checked bag fee - $30-40 (first bag), $40-50 (second bag) One Way

NOTE: United has a baggage fee calculator (https://www.united.com/en/us/baggage-calculator/any-flights)

• 50lbs to 70lbs

  • Overweight fee applies - United does not provide fee amount on their website.

  • With business class ticket - standard checked bag fees apply.

• 70lbs to 100lbs

  • Overweight fee applies - United does not provide fee amount on their website.

• Over 100lbs - not permitted

NOTE: Durable cardboard is permitted as a case.

Delta (https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/special-items/sporting-equipment)

Linear length must be less than 115 inches.

Weight:

• Less than 50lbs - standard checked bag fee - $30 (first bag), $40 (second bag) One Way

• 50lbs to 70lbs - overweight bag fee - $130 One Way

• 70lbs to 100lbs - extra overweight bag fee - $230 One Way

• Over 100lbs - not permitted

NOTE: Delta has a baggage fee calculator (https://www.delta.com/us/en/baggage/overview)

NOTE: Cardboard boxes and soft shell cases require limited liability release to be signed.

JetBlue (https://www.jetblue.com/help/sports-gear#traveling-with-sports-equipment)

Linear length must be less than 80 inches. Weight must be less than 99lbs.

• Linear length less than 62 inches AND weight less than 50lbs - standard checked bag fee -

• Linear length 62 inches to 80 inches OR weight 50 to 99lbs- bike fee - $100

• Linear length over 80inches OR over 99lbs - not permitted

NOTE: Cardboard boxes not permitted.

Frontier (https://www.flyfrontier.com/optional-services/)

NOTE: Special & Fragile Items List (https://f9prodcdn.azureedge.net/media/8735/baggage_fragile-and-special-items.pdf)

Linear length must be less than 110 inches. Weight must be less than 100lbs.

• Bike Fee - $75 per flight

NOTE: Frontier is not liable for damaged or lost luggage unless packaged in a hard sided case.