North County & San Diego

Flying with a bike

Taking your bike on a plane is easier than it sounds. Most US airlines now charge a packed bike like a normal checked bag, as long as it stays under the weight limit. Below: the rules for the airlines that fly from San Diego, a weight calculator, and how to pack.

Will it make weight? Reserve a bag

Airline bike rules at a glance

Subject to change. Airlines update these rules often, so open the official page for your airline and confirm before you fly.

Airline	Bike fee	Weight limit	Max accepted
Air CanadaIntl	Extra bike fee. Bag fee + about $50–60	70 lb31.8 kg	70 lb31.8 kg
How bikes are charged Counts as one checked bag plus a bike fee each way (about $50 to $60). Register the bike when you book. Overweight No overweight charge up to 32 kg (70 lb). Heavier bikes go by Air Canada Cargo. Size Up to 115 linear inches (292 cm). Max accepted 70 lb (31.8 kg) Air Canada official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Alaska Airlines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	70 lb31.8 kg	100 lb45.4 kg
How bikes are charged Charged as a standard checked bag. Oversize fee waived, and no overweight fee for bikes up to 70 lb. Overweight 71 to 100 lb: overweight fee applies ($200 per bag on tickets from Apr 10, 2026). Size Over 115 linear inches pays an oversize fee. Pedals off, bars turned sideways. Max accepted 100 lb (45.4 kg) Alaska Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Allegiant Air	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	70 lb31.8 kg	70 lb31.8 kg
How bikes are charged Sports equipment is charged as a standard checked bag. Overweight No overweight fee for sports equipment up to 70 lb. Over 70 lb not accepted. Size Sports equipment up to 126 linear inches, no oversize charge. Max accepted 70 lb (31.8 kg) Allegiant Air official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
American Airlines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	50 lb22.7 kg	100 lb45.4 kg
How bikes are charged Standard checked bag fee up to 50 lb. No oversize fee for bikes. Overweight Within the US: 51 to 53 lb $30, 54 to 70 lb $100, 71 to 100 lb $200. Size Oversize fees waived for bikes. Max accepted 100 lb (45.4 kg) American Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
British AirwaysIntl	Normal checked bag. Counts as a bag	Not stated	Not stated
How bikes are charged Counts as one checked bag. Paid as an extra bag on Economy Basic or once your allowance is used. Overweight The bike page gives no weight limit. Check your ticket’s bag allowance. Size Box or bag up to 190 x 95 x 65 cm. Max accepted Not stated British Airways official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Delta Air Lines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	50 lb22.7 kg	99 lb44.9 kg
How bikes are charged Charged as a standard checked bag. No separate bike fee. Overweight Within the US: 51 to 70 lb $100, 71 to 99 lb $200. 100 lb or more not accepted. Size Up to 115 linear inches. Max accepted 99 lb (44.9 kg) Delta Air Lines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Frontier Airlines	Extra bike fee. $100 flat each way	99 lb44.9 kg	99 lb44.9 kg
How bikes are charged Flat $100 bike fee each way, whatever the fare. No other bag fees for the bike. Overweight No overweight fee for bikes. Over 99 lb not accepted. Size Over 109 linear inches not accepted. Max accepted 99 lb (44.9 kg) Frontier Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Hawaiian Airlines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	70 lb31.8 kg	100 lb45.4 kg
How bikes are charged Shares Alaska’s rules: standard checked bag, oversize waived, no overweight fee for bikes up to 70 lb. Overweight 71 to 100 lb: overweight fee applies ($200). Size Over 115 linear inches pays an oversize fee. Max accepted 100 lb (45.4 kg) Hawaiian Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
JetBlue	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	50 lb22.7 kg	99 lb44.9 kg
How bikes are charged Counts as a checked bag at your fare’s bag fee. No oversize fee. Overweight 51 to 99 lb: $150. Over 99 lb not accepted. Size Bikes are exempt from size limits. A hard, padded case is preferred. Max accepted 99 lb (44.9 kg) JetBlue official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
LufthansaIntl	Normal checked bag. Free in allowance	50 lb22.7 kg	70 lb31.8 kg
How bikes are charged Free inside your bag allowance (not Economy Light). Otherwise a flat bike rate per route. Overweight Over 23 kg (50 lb) up to 32 kg (70 lb): bike flat rate applies. Over 32 kg not accepted. Size Up to 280 cm total, in a bike case or bag. Max accepted 70 lb (31.8 kg) Lufthansa official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Southwest Airlines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	50 lb22.7 kg	100 lb45.4 kg
How bikes are charged Standard checked bag fees apply. Oversize fee waived for bikes. Overweight 51 to 70 lb: $100 extra. 71 to 100 lb: $200 extra (bookings from Apr 9, 2026). Size Up to 115 total inches. Max accepted 100 lb (45.4 kg) Southwest Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
Sun Country Airlines	Extra bike fee. $100	50 lb22.7 kg	99 lb44.9 kg
How bikes are charged Bikes count as special sporting equipment, outside the bag allowance: $100. Overweight 51 to 60 lb +$25, 61 to 70 +$50, 71 to 80 +$75, 81 to 90 +$100, 91 to 99 +$125. Size Check size rules with Sun Country before you book. Max accepted 99 lb (44.9 kg) Sun Country Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026
United Airlines	Normal checked bag. Standard bag fee	50 lb22.7 kg	100 lb45.4 kg
How bikes are charged Counts as a checked bag at standard fees. Oversize fee waived for properly packed bikes. Overweight Overweight fees apply above 50 lb in Economy; United shows amounts in its bag fee calculator. Size No bag over 115 linear inches. Max accepted 100 lb (45.4 kg) United Airlines official bike rules →Last checked Oct 11, 2026

Packing tips for flying with your bike

Twenty minutes at home saves an hour at the other end. Do a practice pack the night before.

1. Put spacers in the brakes
Once you remove the wheels, slip a pad spacer into each hydraulic caliper to ensure your pistons are not closed during travel.
2. Protect or take the rear derailleur off the hanger
While Scicon has built-in derailleur protection, shift your bike into the biggest gear (easiest cog) before removing the wheel. For added piece of mind, you can easily remove your derailleur from the hanger and wrap it in bubble wrap, a towel, etc. For Shimano - disconnect the electronic cable from rear derailleur For Sram - remove your batteries before flight.
3. Secure the thru-axles
Mount your frame securely to the bag’s internal chassis using your bike's thru-axles. We typically recommend securing the rear first, and then the front end. Ensure that your axles are sufficiently tightened down.
4. Remove or protect the rotors
It is recommended but not required to remove your disc rotors prior to travel to prevent bending. If you decide to fly with rotors-on, we recommend you face them towards the inside of the bag when securing them in the built-in, padded, wheel sleeves.
5. Watch the weight
The Scicon bag is lightweight, so there is typically ample space for extra gear. Please refer to our baggage calculator for additional information. PS - Leave CO2 cartridges at home (TSA rules). If you require an electric pump, we're happy to support you.

Your bike travels. The bag comes back.

Check the dates you need. It takes a minute.

Check dates