Cycling and air travel

Policy key facts

The main problems for people who travel by air with their cycles are:

• Not being able to find cycle-friendly routes to and from airports
• Complex, multi-step booking procedures
• Lack of information about how to prepare a cycle for carriage on a plane
• Check-in disputes about whether the cycle complies with an airline's stowing conditions
• Damage to cycles during handling
• Mislaid or lost cycles

Unfortunately, several airlines still fail basic cycle-friendly tests. Please let us know about any good or bad experiences

Cycling UK view

Travellers who take their cycles by air need:

• Easy, well signed and safe access to airports, and secure, convenient cycle parking
• A simple booking procedure with as few steps as possible
• Clear information on charges
• Clear, accessible information from all airlines on their websites, booking forms and at the airport to show unambiguously how cycles should be prepared for the flight
• Well-briefed staff /contractor, so that people who know they have complied with the airline’s conditions don’t have any check-in problems
• A basic standard for cycle packaging and cycle handling agreed with all carriers and with all ground handling service staff / contractors

2012-02-29 00:00:00 Europe/London