How to fly with a bike in 2025 (From my experience)

I recently flew from NYC to LA and brought my bike with me — something I had no idea how to do at first.

I called a few bike shops, asked around, even walked into some local spots in the city to get answers. Everyone kept pointing me toward these expensive bike bags or shipping services like Bike Flights.

And don’t get me wrong, those can work great, especially for expensive bikes or longer trips. But I was looking for the cheapest way to get my road bike to LA.

So here’s exactly what I did and how you can do it too.

Can I take a bike as checked luggage?

Yes. Most major airlines let you bring a bike as part of your checked luggage allowance — as long as it fits within their weight restrictions and baggage policies. The catch is, every airline has its own rules when it comes to bikes (some call it sports equipment, others call it special baggage, oversized items, or a single item), so it’s important to read the fine print.

I flew with American Airlines, and here’s the kicker: they didn’t charge any special fees for bikes. As long as the bike was under the max weight limit (50 lbs), it cost the same as a normal checked bag. Just $45. Which, compared to shipping or buying a fancy bike bag, is a steal.

6 steps to flying with a bike in 2025

Here are six steps to flying with a bike:

1. Check airline bike policies ahead of time
2. Choose the right bike bag or box
3. Disassemble & pack your bike properly
4. Weigh your bike
5. Arrive early to the airport
6. Inspect your bike on arrival

Alright, let’s go over each of these in depth.

1. Check airline bike policies ahead of time

Before you book your flight, double-check your airline’s policies on bikes. Some treat it like a regular piece of luggage, others charge fees for bikes or have more strict weight limits (especially for gravel bikes or anything with electric bike batteries).

2. Choose the right bike bag or box

This was the most confusing part for me. I didn’t want to buy one of those soft bike bags because:

• They’re pricey.
• They don’t offer the best protection against impacts from baggage handlers.

Instead, I found a local NYC bike shop that charged me $130 to package my bike into a cardboard bike box — the same kind used to ship new bikes from the manufacturer. It’s basically a heavy-duty cardboard box with extra space for padding and bubble wrap. Much cheaper and safer than a soft bag.

Do airlines have bike boxes?

Some airports do have cardboard bike boxes for sale, but it’s not guaranteed. And they’re usually more expensive than just getting one from a bike shop. I recommend calling around to your local shops and asking if they have any boxes from recent shipments.

3. Disassemble & pack your bike properly

The shop that packed my bike took care of this for me, but if you’re doing it yourself, here’s what to know:

• Remove the pedals
• Take off the front wheel
• Lower or remove the seat post
• Turn the handlebars sideways or remove them entirely
• Wrap everything with bubble wrap or foam padding

Make sure everything is tight and secure inside the cardboard box. Airlines aren’t gentle.

4. Weigh your bike

This part matters. Most airlines have a baggage weight limit of 50 lbs. Anything above that may incur extra baggage fees or be outright rejected depending on their max weight policy. Road bikes and gravel bikes typically come in under the limit if packed smartly.

5. Arrive early to the airport

Since this counts as special baggage or oversized luggage, you’ll need to check it in at a different counter and potentially sign a damage waiver. Get there early to avoid any delays.

6. Inspect your bike on arrival

Once I landed in LA, I picked up my cardboard bike box from the oversized item area near baggage claim. I opened it up the same day and assembled the bike myself. You could also take it to a local bike shop if you’re not confident doing it solo.

The bike was in perfect condition. No damage at all.

How much does it cost to take a bicycle on a plane?

It totally depends on the airline. Some charge hefty fees for bikes (up to $200 each way), while others treat it like a regular checked bag. Here's what I paid:

Bike shop packing fee: $130

Checked baggage fee with American Airlines: $45

That’s $175 total — and way cheaper than buying a bike bag or paying for a shipping service that would’ve taken 5–7 days.

If you’re flying with your bike in 2025, don’t overthink it. Just find a solid cardboard bike box, pack it tight, and fly with a major airline that has a fair baggage policy. That way, you’ll land with your bike, ready to ride.