I may have the occasion to travel LON-NYC with a large, heavy, steel item. Let's call it a "sculpture". It will weigh approx. 80lbs, and measure approx. 64x36x10 inches. It's nothing hyper-valuable or easily damaged, so let's not get distracted by insurance or "precious cargo" issues in this discussion.

Looking at DL's baggage policy, I am under the maximum weight limit (100lbs), but over the maximum total dimensions (80in).

1. I take this to mean that I am unable to check this item as baggage, no matter what fees I am willing to pay. Am I correct?

2. Does being a PM flying in J give me any leeway (official or otherwise) in that department?

3. If the first two answers are not in my favor, do I have some way to ship it via DL's cargo pathway, preferably on the same flight? I tried looking at their cargo website, but the thing is written in jargon clearly targeted to commercial users.

My ideal goal is to arrive at the airport in LON with the item, get on my plane, then take it home in the car with me from the NYC airport when I arrive. I realize this may not be possible, but I've never tried something like this before.

Its Cargo.....

How about FedEx. There are several places:

London Vauxhall - FedEx Express
Kirtling Street Unit 4 Tideways Industrial Estate
London SW8 5BP


London Beckton - FedEx Express
Unit 11, Gemini Business Park, Hornet Way, Beckton
BECKTON E6 7FF

Enfield - FedEx Express
Bilton Way
ENFIELD EN3 6EW

Feltham, Middlesex - FedEx Express
674 Spur Road North Feltham Trading Estate
FELTHAM TW14 0SL

You could try the "its a short heavy surfboard approach"...

That's fine, but I'm hoping someone here has experience using the airline cargo system.

If I don't get much help in the DL forum (I posted here because I will be flying DL), I'll try creating a generic cargo thread elsewehere.

Check out Delta DASH or, as your item may be too large, DASH-Heavy.

If it fits on a pallet or ULD, it can go (well, within certain limitations, of course). Just be prepared for the sticker-shock.

If they can transport a car, or a race-car tub... they can move this item.

The problem is that your dimensions exceeds what you can check in as a luggage.
Your dimension heavy chargeable weight is at 63 kgs.
Currently air freight from LON - NYC costs $1.00 / kg + fsc + security and other documentation fees. But most airlines will have $85.00 min. for the airfeight alone. You are talking min. of $150+ for your commodity.

Just came back into the thread and noticed you are going international with this. So the DASH product doesn't apply.

You would be wanting to look at Delta Equation for international.

My calculations bring it to roughly US$189 plus government taxes. Use this only as a very rough guideline as delta.com only has ex-US rates and I assumed the same rate in each direction! It may vary departing London but this would be in the ball park (or pitch as the case may be).

Thanks everyone for the good input. The company selling me this item is quoting $900 for shipping to the USA, so anything under $300 is a steal as far as I'm concerned. Even better if I can drop it off and retrieve it myself on both ends as I fly home. It is a custom-manufactured one-off automotive chassis component, and the shop that makes it is only about 20 miles from LGW. Thus, all the pieces seem to come together for a weekend trip to LGW, rent a car, pick up my purchase, drop it off at air cargo, fly back to meet it in NYC, load it in my car, and drive home.

Except.... DL doesn't fly LGW-NYC! Doh! I'd have to go through ATL, which is no big deal except I'd like to minimize the potential for handling damage to the aluminum part. Of course, there's nothing to prevent me from shipping it in the belly of some other airplane going LGW-JFK.

In any case, I think I have a much better understanding of this venture; and I have plenty of time to figure it out since the manufacture time on this part is over 6 months from when I place the order.

Crate it. At that point, it'll add not too many pounds, and it'll show up in one piece. I've shipped automotive parts all over the world (including solid axles and transmissions), air and sea, creating a custom crate is a minor exercise.

Or find a shipping company that already has a ULD reserved, and ship it over that way.

Kinda now curious what the part is, PM if you want.