Baggage hold suitcase

[Joshnicholson]

Hi,

I know this has been covered but I want to ask more specifically, with a track bike being generally smaller, lighter and have way less parts than a road bike, taken apart would it fit in a suitcase rather than a 'bike bag' and if so, would it be accepted as hold luggage on a flight. For example ryanair charge £50 each way for a bike, but only I think £20 for a 20kg hold luggage bag. Just because the contents of the bag is a bike broken into parts, some tools and a few items of clothing, what difference does it make? Hope this makes sense! Just don't see the point in paying 50 when you could pay 20 for basically the same thing just in a different bag! Thanks

 

[mjr]

Maximum dimension of most hold bags is smaller than 622mm diameter of typical road bike wheels. Even 559mm MTB diameter wheels will be a tight fit diagonally in a case so where's the frame gonna fit? They ain't daft, these airlines, so I'd be surprised if there's a loophole For anything bigger than a folding bike.

Sizes source: https://www.skyscanner.net/news/cabin-luggage-guide-hand-baggage-sizes-and-weight-restrictions

 

[vickster]

Maximum dimension of most hold bags is smaller than 622mm diameter of typical road bike wheels. Even 559mm MTB diameter wheels will be a tight fit diagonally in a case so where's the frame gonna fit? They ain't daft, these airlines, so I'd be surprised if there's a loophole For anything bigger than a folding bike.

Sizes source: https://www.skyscanner.net/news/cabin-luggage-guide-hand-baggage-sizes-and-weight-restrictions

Your link is for cabin bags. Interesting, but the OP wants to put it in the hold?

 

[Joshnicholson]

Thanks for the reply, that's a really great point that I definitely would have missed! I'll have to look deeper into this. Some companies are now making backpacks which can fit a full track bike including wheels into the backpack and zip up. It would be ideal if one of those bags matched the maximum size! Thanks again!

 

[mjr]

Your link is for cabin bags. Interesting, but the OP wants to put it in the hold?

Oops. I promise I did search for hold baggage sizes! Click around on the same site for each airline but I find no simple summary table. It seemed like either the maximum dimension will be less than the length between most dropouts (95cm seemed a frequent max) or there will be some rule about the sum of the dimensions that I reckon makes it a very difficult fit unless you have those SS couplers on your frame, flat or flattenable handlebars and so on.

 

[bigjim]

If you can find a large enough suitcase you would probably get away with it if your clothes were in there as well. Just a matter of checking it in. If you tell them it is a bike you will pay the full rate. If you are asked what is in there [never have been] it's clothes and some bike parts.

 

[Slick]

Surly they would have a fit if they scanned it? Why would you risk a security alert for the sake of 30 quid?

 

[bigjim]

Surly they would have a fit if they scanned it? Why would you risk a security alert for the sake of 30 quid?

Why would they have a fit? Plenty of folding bikes travel in suitcases. I've often traveled with bike parts in my checked luggage. It is also the hassle of travelling with a huge bike bag/case as well as the £30.

 

[classic33]

https://www.skyscanner.net/news/tips/check-in-luggage-size-and-weight-restrictions/
Varies from airline to airline, with the major factor being the weight(H&S) more than size. although the average is now 25kg.

Airline: Ryanair
Free baggage allowance: No free allowance
Extra baggage charges: £10-£40 per bag
Max. size: 81cm x 119cm x 119cm
Max. weight: 15kg-20kg


Note
Ryanair changed its baggage limits/restrictions earlier this year.

 

[MarkF]

Why would they have a fit? Plenty of folding bikes travel in suitcases. I've often traveled with bike parts in my checked luggage. It is also the hassle of travelling with a huge bike bag/case as well as the £30.

I've done it the other way around many times, paid for and taken a cardboard bike box, but used it for all my luggage as well as the bike. Agree about the hassle, it's doddle for 2 people and 2 bike boxes but not on your own.

 

[steveindenmark]

I would ask the airline the question. What we say does not matter because we do not make their rules.

Would you really risk it on our say so?

 

[bigjim]

I would ask the airline the question. What we say does not matter because we do not make their rules.

Would you really risk it on our say so?

You can ask an airline all you want. getting a definative answer is something else. Then of course you have to hope the check-in people are on the same wavelength as their employer. Do you really think an Airline will say it's ok to put a bike in a suitcase, to save us the customer, hassle and money?

 

[mjr]

You can ask an airline all you want. getting a definative answer is something else. Then of course you have to hope the check-in people are on the same wavelength as their employer. Do you really think an Airline will say it's ok to put a bike in a suitcase, to save us the customer, hassle and money?

Have Ryanair started employing their own check-in staff instead of outsourcing? I think you're hoping ServisAir or whoever are on the same wavelength, which I suspect is somewhere between no hope and Bob Hope.

 

[vickster]

You can ask an airline all you want. getting a definative answer is something else. Then of course you have to hope the check-in people are on the same wavelength as their employer. Do you really think an Airline will say it's ok to put a bike in a suitcase, to save us the customer, hassle and money?

Get it in writing.

 

[bigjim]

Have Ryanair started employing their own check-in staff instead of outsourcing? I think you're hoping ServisAir or whoever are on the same wavelength, which I suspect is somewhere between no hope and Bob Hope.

No idea. I believe some Airlines do. BA, Thomas Cook, Easyjet, Swiss, ones that I have dealt with. If it's a contractor then the problem can be worse.