On this page we attempt to make available the experience of individual bicycle tourists who have travelled with Ansett Airlines (you can share your experiences here).
United, Ansett Airlines
I live in Australia and flew Brisbane/Sydney/LAX/Chicago/Jacksonville this year, with United. No complaints whatsoever. Due to flight delays, had only 50 mins. turnaround in Chicago after late departure on 747 from LAX; thought I would be lucky to make the connection but my bike was alongside my plane for Jacksonville FL before I was, and I watched it onto the plane. Returning from Charlottesville VA, local agent was helpful in selection of flight (some planes flying Charlottesville/Washington are too small to take bikes) and gate clerk virtually repacked my (rather flimsy) box.
No charge was made by Ansett/UAL, on the basis that I had only one sports bag and the bike therefore counted as my second piece of luggage. An attempt to charge oversize was refuted with the explanation that my boxes never exceeded the size of UAL's own bike boxes. On Ansett-only flights, bike has travelled free, not boxed but with front wheel and pedals disassembled, all protected by plenty of bubblewrap. Always mark the bike box Checked Baggage, to minimise likelihood of its following on another plane.
Have taken the bike to USA twice now, with only problem being once when Ansett's Sydney/Brisbane flight had to return to Sydney and did not make the next flight with me. It was courier-delivered to my home early next day, with no hassles, need to follow-up etc.
Thanks for a very interesting website, George.
Bob Schofield