You guys made me curious, so I checked the web sites of some of the major airlines. The infomation is often ambiguous. For example, the airline might tell you what the charges are for flights within the U.S., but not mention the charges elsewhere. Other airlines tell you to call and ask about international rules. It seems that if you can get it packed small enough (probably not possible with most bicycles), it would not be subject ot extra charges on most airlines. At any rate, it seems pretty easy to get information from the airline web sites by searching for "bicycle".
Delta:
Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats are accepted as checked baggage, with certain limits.
Any bicycle in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62" or 157.5cm (length + height + width) and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. Bicycles exceeding 62" are subject to standard oversize baggage charges.
Your bike must be packaged in a cardboard or canvas container in one of the following ways:
Handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed
Handlebars and pedals encased in plastic, Styrofoam, or other similar material
Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limits.
American:
Oversized Baggage
Oversized Baggage does not include transatlantic or transpacific flights
Checked baggage which is larger than American Airlines stated size limits will be charged at the rate of $150 per piece.
These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or overweight baggage.
Baggage measuring more than 115 in/292 cm (total outside dimensions; length + width + height) will not be accepted as checked baggage.
Note: Bicycle boxes purchased from American Airlines which measure 118 in/300cm will be accepted.
Item: Bicycles
Allowance/Requirements: One non-motorized touring or racing bike. Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed. Or pedals and handlebars must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar material.
Cost: $100
Exception: If bicycle and container are less than 62 dimensional inches and under 50 lbs., the bike is free in place of 62 inch bag in the free allowance.
Maximum size and weight: 70 lbs
115 inches
Additional information:
- Acceptance conditional on aircraft size and load conditions
- Exception: If a bike is less than 62 dimensional inches and 50 lbs., the above conditions do not apply
- If this item is in excess of the number of pieces allowed in the free baggage allowance, excess baggage charges apply in addition to the $100 special items fee.
United:
The following information is for sports equipment and special items checked for travel wholly within the U.S. 50 states and to/from Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten and St. Thomas U.S.V.I. To find out specific requirements for special items on other international flights, please call United Reservations at 1-800-UNITED-1 (1-800-864-8331). Unless otherwise noted, baggage must be checked in the cargo hold.
Bicycle
Allowance/requirements
Non-motorized bicycle must be prepared for travel by the customer. United does not provide tools. Handlebars must be turned sideways and protruding pedals and accessories must be removed. The bicycle must be contained in a protective/durable case, bag or box.
Cost
Within U.S./Canada: $85 USD
Maximum weight/size
50 pounds/62 linear inches
Other information
Allow an extra 30 minutes at check-in.
If travel includes a United Express flight, please contact United for information regarding aircraft cargo hold limits.
Continental:
Bicycles
Continental Airlines accepts a non-motorized bicycle with single seat or up to two non-motorized bicycles packed in one case as checked baggage. The following are bicycle restrictions: If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is over 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), a $100 service charge applies each way. The service charge is in addition to any excess baggage charges that may apply. Bicycle equipment over 70lbs (32 kg) will not be accepted as checked baggage. If the bicycle(s) are packed in a container that is under 50 lbs (23kg) and/or 62 (157 cm) total linear inches (L + W + H), if applicable the second bag fee ($25) applies. Handlebars must be fixed sideways and pedals removed or
All loose items must be enclosed in plastic foam or similar protective material or
Bicycle should be transported in a sealed box. If a box is needed, see the Courtesy Bags section of this site.
Continental is not liable for damage to bicycles that do not have the handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed, handlebars and pedals encased in plastic foam or similar material or bicycles not contained in a cardboard containers or hard-sided cases.
Note: Bicycles will not be accepted during an excess baggage embargo when no excess baggage is allowed.