Just wondering if anyone out there has flown with a handcycle and how they arranged it with the airline and packaged it up. I'm hoping to go away at the end of november and ideally would like to take my bike.

Thanks in anticipation,
Sean

I'm not sure what style of handcycle you have, or how much you can manipulate it, but maybe check with a cycle shop to see if you can get a bike box for it? I know you can buy bike boxes from airlines, but they're pricey and generally for standard bikes. Whenever I travelled with my bikes pre-injury, I took them apart as well as I could, deflated the tires, and put foam pipe cushioning (the type that plumbers use) around the frame. I also put some bubble wrap and foam around my wheels. I put my bikes inside the boxes, and put some cushioning in around it. I also requested the airline send them in advance of my flight, so that I could pick it up at the final airport, without having to transport the whole kit to the originating airport. Be really cognizant of the weight, and if need be, pack your tools, safety gear, and spare tubes in your regular luggage. If you're taking a really expensive bike, I'd personally travel with it, and plan ahead transport and baggage help.

Short of that, I'd be interested in how you do it, because I've been researching recumbent bikes as of late.

Send it UPS or FEDEX,, it will be a lot cheaper than the airlines, and they'll be a lot more careful with it. Call the hotel and tell them to expect it and hold it for you. If they don't want to,,, overnight it the day you leave. Do the same on the way back.

With the way they are all charging for a second bag,, can you imagine what they'll charge for a bike?
ed

It actually really is dependent on who you're flying with, and where you're flying to. Unfortunately, Sean has no info regarding where he's from/flying to. So, here are some varying hypothetical airlines, because I was interested as well. If you're flying an upgraded class, or you have frequent flyer status, many times they'll fly the bike for free/cheaper. Of course, it's crazy expensive to fly bikes in the USA - it's cheaper everywhere else. Note - I purposely left out RyanAir, because I unabashedly hate them.

Also, unfortunately, I don't know the dimensions or weight of his bike, so I wasn't able to compare it on UPS/FedEx.

Northwest (soon to be Delta): $100USD
American Airlines: $100 plus checked baggage fees
United: $175 (what the heck!?)
Southwest Airlines: Free as part of checked luggage, $50 if outside their specific parameters of size/weight.
British Airways: Free, within baggage limits (pay if excess baggage).
KLM/Air France: Free if Domestic (France/Netherlands), €150 everywhere else
Aer Lingus: Free if on North America/Ireland flight, €40 otherwise. They also sell bike boxes relatively cheap.
easyJet: Fees based on currency - €25 if prepaid, €35 if at airport.
Lufthansa: €70 Europe, €150 Europe/Intercontinental, €250 Intercontinental/Intercontinental via Europe. (Link is PDF)
Air Canada: $50 CAD/USD
Qantas: Ummm... you do the math.
South African Airways: Free
Korean Air: More convoluted math.


So, personally, when I flew my bikes (when it was way cheaper, and also around Europe), I generally had good luck with them - of course, I also packaged them up super well. Make sure that you get details regarding size and weight - that'll make things get a bit more expensive. The reason I mentioned sending your baggage/adaptive equipment/bike/whatever else ahead is that, depending on where you're going, you're going to have a lot on your hands - it might be a smidge easier if you explain what's up to the airline, and you can send it ahead.

But, of course, with USA-based carriers becoming more and more fixated on feeing people to death (see: United), it may be cheapest to ship items via UPS/FedEx. I've done this before (bizzarely, with motorcycle parts), and the hotel was very gracious in accepting the packages.

Hi,
Thanks for your posts so far. The bike is this one: http://www.draftwheelchairs.com/proddetail...rod=DraftVulcan, so pretty big, not that straightforward to break down and i'm not sure of the weight.
Not sure of the airline yet either as i haven't decided where to go...
Courier is an interesting idea i hadn't thought of that.
Keep them coming...!
Cheers,
Sean

I'd say best bet is to bring it to a bike shop and see how they'd break it down. My guess is that the hand crank, the seat, and at least the rear tires are able to come off. Likely, the front tire and the leg holders come off as well. I'm sure they can sell you a multi-tool and a wrench or two if you don't have them. Also, they'd be able to help you find a recumbent bike box. That bike isn't too difficult to pack, as long as the back wheels come off.

Good luck! Sounds like wherever you go will be fun.

In the past when i have flown with mine i have just turned up at the airport and was never charged. Last time was 3years ago tho. I suspect of late the increased fuel taxes etc things might have changed somewhat and airlines look to charge on these things?? I notice Easy Jet and the likes have nominal charges for bikes and sports chairs. SO its probbaly

I was told by mates who race their bikes and fly regular, its best to leave the bike so that it can be seen its a bike. That way the baggage handlers will treat it with a degree of respect. So thats the approach i have mostly taken. If yu do decide to pack the bike it would be best to make it substantial in case it gets thrown on and off the plane and othe baggae stacked on top of it. Best bet would be a crate.

However the minimal approach - remove the gear shifters and brake levers and cable tie them inside the seat area. Wrap some cardboard and tape around the mechs. then just wrap the frame in bubble wrap. I leave the wheels on so it rolls. Lastly i liberally wrap it in "handble with care" tape. This approach is cheap and seems to work ok. I have heard many horror stories of broken cranks and frames but i have been lucky so far.

I remove the back wheels and the crank, then put the whole thing in a bike bag at the airport.

They are able to tell what it is in the hope they don't toss it around and stack other items on it.

There should not be a charge call it a wheelchair, airlines are not allowed to charge for a wheelchair.