Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport, and you can often take riders to breathtaking trails around the world.
However, what happens when your favorite mountain bike trail is thousands of miles away from your home? You started thinking about how I could get there, right?
Well! A lot of people have asked me… Do you fly with your mountain bike? So the answer is yes, you can!
But, if you want to fly a mountain bike, you need to do some planning, like packing your bike properly, deciding what airline policies are regarding luggage, and how much you will have to pay. Which airline allows you to fly with a mountain bike, like Delta or something?
So, In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to fly your mountain bike like a pro.
Also check: 8 Best Family Friendly Mountain Bike Trails and Destinations in the USA
Can You Fly with a Mountain Bike in an Airplane?
Yes, you can fly with your mountain bike because most airlines allow you to carry your bike as checked luggage.
However, there are some specific rules that you must follow. For example, you need to take your mountain bike properly. That it doesn’t occupy unnecessary space in the plane. Also, you want to ensure that your bike doesn’t get damaged.
Plus, there are some guidelines regarding luggage size and weight. You want to make sure you meet the requirements.
So, whether you want to ride in the Alps, Moab, or any other scenic mountain bike trails, you can fly with your bike without any hesitation. If you just know how to do it right.
How to Pack Your Mountain Bike for Air Travel
Packing the mountain bike is the most critical step, and most people get tricked as there are different ways to pack, like packing in a box, carrying in a bag, etc. Here’s how to do it right:
Bike Bags vs. Bike Boxes
Bike Bags: I personally prefer bags, and you can choose that too. However, you want to choose soft shell bags because they’re lightweight and easy to carry. But the downside of these bags is that they offer less protection, so you’ve to be extra careful.
Although it doesn’t matter how careful you are, sometimes baggage handlers (airport ground staff) might be negligent. Bags would be ideal if you travel frequently and now your route isn’t too long (like an international mountain bike trip to Europe)
Bike Boxes: If you prioritize your bike’s safety over convenience, then you can choose hard shell boxes as they will provide maximum protection. But keep in mind, they are quite bulky and heavy (I suggest them for a longer destination).
Overall, If you’re strong and don’t mind lifting heavy mtb packed boxes, then go with the box, with more safety. But if you want convenience rather than safety, then go with bags.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide
Clean Your Bike: First of all, you need to wash your bike to remove dirt and mud, avoid extra fees, and make packing easier.
Remove the Wheels: Once you’ve washed the bike then, take off both of your bike’s tires and deflate tires them slightly (It’ll prevent pressure change when you are flying with the bike at an altitude)
Detach the Handlebars and Pedals: First, you need to loosen the stem and rotate the handlebars sideways. After that, you can remove the pedals and pack them in a bag or box separately.
Protect the Frame: You can use foam padding or bubble wrap to protect the frame, fork, and derailleur (and if you don’t invest money in buying these things, then you can also use extra clothes to add layers). However, I like bubble wrap.
Secure the Components: Place the wheels on either side of your mtb frame and secure everything with zip ties or straps.
Pack Accessories: Mountain bike gear is very important for safety and comfort, that’s why you want to pack essential mtb gear such as Helmets, shoes, and some extra tools like water bottle, Co2 Inflator, etc, to maintain the right tire pressure, once you reach the mtb destination (Although most airlines don’t allow Inflator, but some do allow the mini one, so check it advance?.
You also want to check this out: (Checklist for mountain bikes before leaving the home)
Pro Tip: There are many types of mountain bikes, and many of them are expensive too; that’s why I recommend you take your bike’s picture before packing so that you can claim insurance in case your bike gets damaged or you completely lose it.
Also read: What to wear for mountain biking
Airlines That Allow Mountain Bikes
Not all airlines will treat you the same way some “Specific mountain bike friendly airlines will treat you.” Let’s talk about some major airlines that you can consider going to.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines allows you to carry bicycles, non-motorized touring, mountain bikes, and other sports materials as checked luggage.
However, they’ll charge upto $150 for each domestic flight, and for the international flights, you’ll change upto $200.
However, make sure your mtb packed bag/box weight is under standard weight guidelines of 50 lbs (23 kg). If it’s more than that, you will have to pay an additional fee.
United Airlines
United Airlines also accepts mtb in the same way as Delta (checked baggage), and they charge $150 each way for domestic and international flights.
However, they have a size limit of 62 linear inches (length + width + height).
Note: Besides bag fees, oversized, overweight and extra items will be subject to additional fees unless otherwise noted.
Secondly, you want to read United Airlines’ policy on flying with your mountain bike or carrying other sports equipment.
Here’s what they say:
- United Airlines is not liable for damage to sports equipment.
- They are not required to provide assistance or information on firearm regulations.
- They are not responsible for passengers’ compliance with firearm laws.
- United Airlines is not liable for any consequences of failing to follow firearm regulations.
American Airlines
You can also carry a bike on American Airlines, but it must be packed in a hard-sided case. Plus, they’ll charge $150 for each way, and sometimes prices can fluctuate.
Here are some American Airlines guidelines if you want to fly with mtb or any other sports equipment:
- Your sports equipment must not exceed 115 inches (292 cm) in total dimensions (length + width + height).
- You are only allowed to carry 70 lbs (32 kg), depending on airplane size and available cargo space.
- In most flights from Madrid (MAD), your item cannot exceed 43 inches (110 cm) as it’s the longest side of a checked item.
- Sports equipment that American Airlines hasn’t listed is not prohibited, but you will be charged standard checked bag fees (up to 50 lbs/23 kg) with no oversized fees.
- If your sports bag contains non-approved items, it will be charged as a standard checked bag, with possible oversized and overweight fees.
Specific guidelines for Bicycles and mountain bikes:
You can only travel with one non-motorized touring, mountain, tandem, mountain bike or racing bicycle if the:
- A mtb or bicycle is in a hard-sided case like a bicycle bag or box.
- Handlebars are fixed sideways
- Pedals are removed (you can also warp them in a plastic foam or a similar material)
If your bicycle is not in a hard-sided case, it will be treated as a fragile item.
Budget Airlines
Besides some of these above-mentioned details, you can also fly on budget Airlines, but many of them treat bikes as oversized luggage, and they’ll charge for that:
- Alaska Airlines: Standard checked bag fee applies (starting at $30).
- Southwest Airlines: Bicycles will be checked in place of one of the two free checked bags; if the bike exceeds size or weight limits, a $75 fee applies.
- JetBlue Airways: $50 per bike.
- Norwegian Air: Varies by route, but typically, it’s around £50-£60 per bike.
- TUI Airways: Fee: £30-£32 per bike.
- Spirit Airlines: $75 per bike, per direction.
- Frontier Airlines: $75 per bike, per direction.
Important tip: Although most airlines say the same thing, pack your bike properly if you want to fly with it. However, you still want to check the airline’s website or call ahead to confirm their policy.
Costs and Fees for Flying with a Mountain Bike
You can fly on a plane with an MTB. Although it’s not a cheap option, it offers convenience. So here’s what you can expect:
- If you’re taking a domestic flight, you’ll have to pay around $75–$150 for each flight.
- On the other hand, for an international flight, you’ll pay $150-200.
But what about Overweight/Oversized Fees?
- Well! If your bike exceeds weight or size limits, you could pay an extra $50 to $100.
How to Save Money
Sometimes, money also depends on the flight; for example, if you travel on Jetblue Airlines, then it’ll cost less than flying on Delta or United Airlines.
But there are some ways they can help you save money when you’re considering flying with your mtb in a plane.
Book Early: If you want to travel in March, you can even book a flight ticket for about 15 days or a month before. As don’t flights offer discounts for booking a ticket in advance.
Use Frequent Flyer Programs: You can also use Elite status or credit card perks to waive mountain bike fees.
Consider Shipping: In some cases, it’s a cheaper option to shift your bike rather than fly with it.
Tips for a Smooth Travel Experience
I know it’s quite stressful to fly with a mountain bike, like packing and then carrying that much weight (MTB, plus clothes, gears like helmets, etc).
But here are some essential steps that you can take to avoid common pitfalls.
Checking In Your Bike
- You need to reach the airport early, at least 3 hours before the flight. It will give you extra time for check-in.
- You must have enough time to open your bike bag or box for inspection at the airport.
Handling Layovers and Transfers
- If you have a layover, you will need to confirm that your bike will be transferred to your connecting flight.
- You should choose direct flights to minimize delays or chances of lost luggage.
Avoiding Damage
Here are some tips that you can take to avoid any damage to your MTB:
- Use a sturdy bike bag or box.
- You should add extra padding to vulnerable areas like the derailleur and fork.
- You can also consider buying travel insurance that covers bike damage.
Remember: If you plan to go somewhere away from your home, just enjoy the mtb riding. If you want to build stamina for biking so you can enjoy it fully, you can even follow a 4-week mountain bike training plan to build endurance and sharpen your skills.
Alternatives to Flying with Your Bike
If flying with your bike seems too complicated or expensive, here are two alternatives:
If you think that flying with a mountain bike is quite expensive and stressful, too, because you don’t want to waste time deflating your bike tire, packing it in a new box, and carrying that heavy box all the way to the airport,
So, here are two more alternatives that you can consider. Let’s discuss them:
Shipping Your Bike
You can ship your mountain bike rather than flying it with the help of a third party. Here are some pros and cons.
Pros: Some third-party shipping services are cheaper than those of airlines, so you don’t have to lug your bike through the airport.
Cons: You will need to plan in advance, plus you’ll need to coordinate pickup and delivery.
You can use UPS, FedEx, or USPS to shift your mtb rather than flying with it; these companies will fix it domestically and internationally.
Renting a Bike at Your Destination
Pros:
If you don’t want any headache of packing your bike, carrying it to the airport, or packing it to deliver to a shipping service like FedEx, then you can just simply reach the destination wherever you want to travel for mountain biking.
After reaching there, you can just simply rent a mountain bike. It will be a more convenient option for you.
However, if you are visiting any other place and you want to visit on your own bike, then you have to do some homework like researching the best trails, hotels, etc.
Cons: You may not find the exact mountain bike model that you want to ride on a rental service.
Final Thoughts
Flying with your mountain bike is easy and completely possible but a bit stressful because it requires some planning and preparation in advance.
For example, you will have to pack your bike correctly, understand your airline policies (in which you want to travel like Delta) and consider budgeting.
If you follow all these things we discussed, you will ensure a smooth travel experience.
So, do you fly with your mountain bike? Absolutely! And now you, too, know how to do it right.
Can we carry Mountain bikes on an international flight?
Yes, you can carry your bicycle, mountain bike or any other sports equipment on a flight, but make sure the equipment is properly packed and its size and weight are aligned with the airline policy and guidelines.
Do I Need to Deflate My Tires Before Flying?
Well! It’s not necessary to deflate your bike’s tire on most flights, but it’s still recommended to let some air out (at least 30-50%) to prevent pressure-related issues.
However, it doesn’t mean you fully deflate them, as flat tires can shift inside the bag and risk rim damage.
Can I Bring My CO2 Cartridges for Tubeless Tires?
Actually not! Most airlines won’t allow you to bring a CO2 Inflator due to safety regulations, so in such cases, you just reach the destination and buy a new Inflator.
Besides this, some airlines allow small CO2 cartridges in carry-ons, but it depends on the region, so you want to confirm it beforehand.
Will my bike bag count as regular luggage or an oversized Bag?
It depends on your airline, as some count mountain bike bags as standard checked luggage (within size/weight limits), while other airlines always charge an oversized baggage fee.
If you’re using hard cases, it’ll tend to push weight limits, which means you will pay extra fees. So you also want to check the airline policy regarding sports equipment.
