Travel with a bicycle on Austrian, Lufthansa or Brussels
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: South Carolina
Programs: DL, AA, UA
Posts: 88
Travel with a bicycle on Austrian, Lufthansa or Brussels
Hey Everyone:
I am going to Frankfurt for an extended stay in September and would like to bring my bike (and leave it). I looked on the LH website and it says I will need to reserve ahead of time, but I wanted to get some experience here beforehand. Has anyone here done this, and are there any large drawbacks?
I would just mail it, but I read that a typical mountainbike box is too large for international mailing. Anyone have any good ideas?
Thank you.
I am going to Frankfurt for an extended stay in September and would like to bring my bike (and leave it). I looked on the LH website and it says I will need to reserve ahead of time, but I wanted to get some experience here beforehand. Has anyone here done this, and are there any large drawbacks?
I would just mail it, but I read that a typical mountainbike box is too large for international mailing. Anyone have any good ideas?
Thank you.
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
Originally Posted by Chanticleer
Hey Everyone:
I am going to Frankfurt for an extended stay in September and would like to bring my bike (and leave it). I looked on the LH website and it says I will need to reserve ahead of time, but I wanted to get some experience here beforehand. Has anyone here done this, and are there any large drawbacks?
I would just mail it, but I read that a typical mountainbike box is too large for international mailing. Anyone have any good ideas?
Thank you.
I am going to Frankfurt for an extended stay in September and would like to bring my bike (and leave it). I looked on the LH website and it says I will need to reserve ahead of time, but I wanted to get some experience here beforehand. Has anyone here done this, and are there any large drawbacks?
I would just mail it, but I read that a typical mountainbike box is too large for international mailing. Anyone have any good ideas?
Thank you.
I travel 80% of the time with my race bike. I have a proper suitcase for it which of course is oversize. The "official" charge is USD50 (or is it now 80) for the tranport all the way. (each way).
Never happend anything. But the TSA are jerks (sorry for the expression. They have never managed to close the suitcase properly...
Anyway, so far nothing has happened ...
I haven't paid hte fee in years. As on the US route they usually count it as one luaggage (so if you are UA Gold) then they usually do not hassle you. I actually never have put it into my booking, but put it in to be safe (especially if travelling in Y
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bavaria, Germany
Programs: LH FTL, FB IVORY
Posts: 22
Almost eleven years ago, I did a cycling trip throughout Canada. - man, I want to do that again, 4900 km in 70 days - We flew with AC back then in 1995.
At this time, there was a baggage allowance of two pieces and 64 kg. AC was fine with it as longe those limits were met.
We just had to deflate the tires, remove the pedals and set the handlebars straight. We didn't even had to pack them in a special way, a GA (@ FRA) came to handle it as bulk luggage.
At this time, there was a baggage allowance of two pieces and 64 kg. AC was fine with it as longe those limits were met.
We just had to deflate the tires, remove the pedals and set the handlebars straight. We didn't even had to pack them in a special way, a GA (@ FRA) came to handle it as bulk luggage.
#5
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 489
Bicycle check-in FRA?
My son and me want to take two bicycles (road bikes) on our next flight FRA-SYD with Singapore Airlines. We are both LH SENs and check-in should be handled by Lufthansa.
What is the best option? Pre-pack the bikes in specialized oversized bike cases or trust that we'll get bike boxes at the airport? Will LH take them as sporting equipment and/or count them toward our regular luggage allowances. Does SEN status help us here? Any experiences or problems?
What is the best option? Pre-pack the bikes in specialized oversized bike cases or trust that we'll get bike boxes at the airport? Will LH take them as sporting equipment and/or count them toward our regular luggage allowances. Does SEN status help us here? Any experiences or problems?
#6
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, SN Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche, BA, QF, AF
Posts: 6,856
I am not certain on SQ, but on other airlines, it just counts towards your weight allowance. I don't think it is necessary to pack your bike, just remove pedals and twist the handle bar so it is aligned with the frame. And open the valves on the wheels so there is no more pressure in the wheels.
So, SEN helps in the sense that it gives you an extra 20 kg weight allowance.
But are you sure that check-in is with LH?
SmilingBoy.
So, SEN helps in the sense that it gives you an extra 20 kg weight allowance.
But are you sure that check-in is with LH?
SmilingBoy.
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Tübingen, Germany
Posts: 2,732
My son and me want to take two bicycles (road bikes) on our next flight FRA-SYD with Singapore Airlines. We are both LH SENs and check-in should be handled by Lufthansa.
What is the best option? Pre-pack the bikes in specialized oversized bike cases or trust that we'll get bike boxes at the airport? Will LH take them as sporting equipment and/or count them toward our regular luggage allowances. Does SEN status help us here? Any experiences or problems?
What is the best option? Pre-pack the bikes in specialized oversized bike cases or trust that we'll get bike boxes at the airport? Will LH take them as sporting equipment and/or count them toward our regular luggage allowances. Does SEN status help us here? Any experiences or problems?
SQ has their own Check In @ FRA.
As for bikes - I have had a roadbike - albeight boxed and it counted as one piece - or as weight towards overall allowance depending on applicable luggage concept. SEN will not help - only any possible additional allowance as *Gold.
Cheers
Thomas
#8
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 489
Thanks for your replies guys. You are right as always.
I called SQ Frankfurt to confirm that LH SENs get 20kg extra and that SQ has their own check-in. (Before we always had a LH feeder flight to FRA so that I wasn't sure about FRA itself). The bikes have to arrive at the airport pre-packed which is fine as I was already considering getting some hard shell bike boxes. Bike and box will be less than 20kg. All sorted.
Btw, it was really great to talk to the utmost friendly and patient german speaking staff on the mere motals SQ line. Definetly a notch above the LH SEN treatment.
I called SQ Frankfurt to confirm that LH SENs get 20kg extra and that SQ has their own check-in. (Before we always had a LH feeder flight to FRA so that I wasn't sure about FRA itself). The bikes have to arrive at the airport pre-packed which is fine as I was already considering getting some hard shell bike boxes. Bike and box will be less than 20kg. All sorted.
Btw, it was really great to talk to the utmost friendly and patient german speaking staff on the mere motals SQ line. Definetly a notch above the LH SEN treatment.
#9
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: BRU
Programs: LH SEN, SN Gold, Eurostar Carte Blanche, BA, QF, AF
Posts: 6,856
just checked:
On LH, a bike doesn't count in the regular allowance, you have to pay extra, even if you are not otherwise checking anything:
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/port...nodeid=1769640
Amazing.
SmilingBoy.
On LH, a bike doesn't count in the regular allowance, you have to pay extra, even if you are not otherwise checking anything:
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/port...nodeid=1769640
Amazing.
SmilingBoy.
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: US
Programs: LH and BA
Posts: 2,324
I am actually glad a bike doesn't count towards the allowance ...
When I pack my bike for a race the case including equipment is easily 35kg.... and for that i am happy to py USD100 as a charge.
BTW SEN card can help, as sometimes they are way too busy to send oyu to the ticket counter to pay the fare.
One trick is to have a connection flight LH from DUs or so. Then often the connecting airlines does not collect the fee, as the long haul is someone else's flight
When I pack my bike for a race the case including equipment is easily 35kg.... and for that i am happy to py USD100 as a charge.
BTW SEN card can help, as sometimes they are way too busy to send oyu to the ticket counter to pay the fare.
One trick is to have a connection flight LH from DUs or so. Then often the connecting airlines does not collect the fee, as the long haul is someone else's flight
#11
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: PDX
Posts: 171
Bicycle and baggage regulations [was: Cost to bring bike on SFO-CPH]
I was wondering what LH charges for a bike and its policy is for checking a bike (in a case of course) on my next months flight from SFO to CPH. Both segments are LH metal. I'm a *G.
Thanks
Thanks
#13
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,859
#14
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold
Posts: 6,913
If you check it in as a normal bag with piece concept the max. dimension is 158cm (h x w x l). At least from my experience they are not too strict about the dimensions.
Details can be found in the complete baggage regulation thread. Just search for 'bike'!
BTW: volta where do you derive the 50lb from? If the OP flies C or F it's 70lb.
Details can be found in the complete baggage regulation thread. Just search for 'bike'!
BTW: volta where do you derive the 50lb from? If the OP flies C or F it's 70lb.
#15
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Iīm on a road to nowhere
Programs: If I donīt have it, I donīt need it!
Posts: 758
If you check it in as a normal bag with piece concept the max. dimension is 158cm (h x w x l). At least from my experience they are not too strict about the dimensions.
Details can be found in the complete baggage regulation thread. Just search for 'bike'!
BTW: volta where do you derive the 50lb from? If the OP flies C or F it's 70lb.
Details can be found in the complete baggage regulation thread. Just search for 'bike'!
BTW: volta where do you derive the 50lb from? If the OP flies C or F it's 70lb.
Medium
15-32 kg and/or 1.41 - 2 m
Excluding free baggage allowance
Europe-Intercontinental
EUR 150 USD/CAD 200 USD/CAD 250
Bicycles, tandems
Diving equipment with tank
Pole vaulting poles
Surf boards
How much baggage am I allowed to take free of charge?
Lufthansa transports a certain amount of checked in baggage (free baggage allowance) and hand baggage free of charge. These amounts may vary depending on the route, booking class, Miles & More status etc. You will find more back-ground information on our Free baggage allowance and Carry-on baggage pages.
What happens with excess baggage or special baggage?
If you exceed the free baggage allowance or if you take along particularly bulky or damageable baggage (bicycles, surf and snowboards, skis, large musical instruments, wardrobe trunks etc.) you may have to pay an additional fee and register your baggage with us prior to your departure. Please check on our page Excess and special baggage.