Southwest Airlines Community

For what it’s worth @dfwskier, here was a response from you just 8 months ago regarding the same question.    Re: Checked Bike Box ‎11-23-2020 08:25 AM - edited ‎11-23-2020 08:27 AM     dfwskier TOP CONTRIBUTOR   Solution Morning.   The only charge you'll pay is $75 - size limits don't apply to bikes. Here' what Southwest says:   " Sports Equipment - Special Items The items listed below will be accepted as Checked Baggage for a $75 each way charge. Bicycles (defined as nonmotorized and having a single seat) properly packed in a bicycle box or hardsided case larger than 62 inches in total dimensions will be accepted as Checked Baggage. Pedals and handlebars must be removed and packaged in protective materials so as not to be damaged by or cause damage to other Baggage. Bicycles packaged in cardboard or soft sided cases will be transported as limited release items. " ... View more

Well, I’ll be interested to know what happens in your case. I don’t have the luxury of being able to turn around and ship mine with my timeline. My trip is specifically to go riding. I’ve heard from people who have traveled on SWA as recently as May with a bike bag and no issues, but it’s unclear as to when this policy was changed or updated. I’ve found iterations of this policy from last year that do not include the 81” stipulation. The “OR” and “AND” pieces in the description are what cause the confusion.  ... View more

Awesome. The way she explained it to you is what I was trying to argue with the person I spoke with. That’s very helpful, thanks you.  ... View more

Every bike case designed for travel, which is what we’re talking about, requires some form of bicycle disassembly. This includes removing both wheels and the handlebars. Even with this standard disassembly, the bike bag/box end up measuring a total of around 100 inches (L x W x H). There are a few exceptions out there, but at least 90% of all cases designed for air travel exceed 81 inches in total dimension.  So the questions remain. Has Southwest updated their policy to eliminate bike travel for a vast majority of cyclists? Do check-in counters limit the dimensions to 81 inches? Is the policy just unclear and worded in a way that is open to interpretation? We’re trying to get a clear answer from SWA and have been unable to do so.  ... View more

I’m in the same boat and struggling to get a clear answer from SW. I have called to speak with a representative, but despite doing this for “22 years” she wasn’t too familiar with the bike policy and had to reread it a couple of time. She then said nothing over the 81 inches could be check, to which I explained the same policy allows other things over 81” to be checked. She then gave me the number to the check-in at the airport I plan to fly out of who was really busy and just said, “bring it and we’ll take care of you.” That’s not exactly reassuring. What happens when I show up with my bike in a travel bag and they say, sorry, we can’t check that? ... View more