I used to ply the GVA-SFO route with a bike regularly in my college days, for free... now carriers from parts of the world where cycling is popular are charging the highest fees for their carriage

To cross the pond with a bike, some of the more economical options are:
- SQ on JFK-FRA: free
- NZ on LAX-LHR: free
- AC: $50 one-way
These options mostly don't address the problem of intra-European shipping, as LHR and FRA aren't prime cycling destinations. AC's new flight to GVA is a good option, however.

I believe the airlines created a market for reasonably priced, higher performance folding bicycles guaranteed to fit into a 'legal', generic 29" hardshell, for use as a travel bike by cyclists unwilling to spend thousands for a non-primary bicycle. The design premises should include 1. fitting into 29" hardshell, 2. use at least 20" 406 wheels (16's are too compromised), 3. replicate a full-size riding position as Bike Fridays and Xootr Swifts do. Amazingly, I haven't found a single bike on the market that fits the above requirements (most decent folders only fit in an oversize 31" hardshell).

In the meantime, I have taken to looking for high quality rentals at my destination. For the OP, this one in Paris has some fairly acceptable road bikes.

BTW, Mike, does Chain Reaction rent any decent road bikes? There are some great routes in your area


P.S. I do realize my post has nothing to do with FB/AF/KL. Then again, AF/KL's bike fees are among the very highest