Found this on Singletrack world this evening, could be a problem for anyone intending to fly anywhere with Easyjet with their bike as luggage. Basically Easyjet now have the following statement in their Carrier's regulation: "Bicycles which use hydraulic fluid in their brakes and / or suspension cannot be accepted for carriage".

http://www.singletrackworld.co.uk/forum/read.php?f=2&i=2133237&t=2133237

http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Book/regulations.html (section 10 is the relevant section)

In that case, can we take the brakes off and carry them separately I wonder? Cheers Simon S.

I reckon the oils carried in the hydraulics and suspension forks are covered under the international laws applicable to the carriage of dangerous goods, i.e. flammable and corrosive fluids and solids. Easyjet are just making it clear that the law applies to these substances regardless of whether they're being carried fitted to the bike, or in your hand baggage. Bugger, they've got a point!

So, we can either ask them to carry the bikes as freight (I don't think EasyJet do that yet) or we just pick another airline that hasn't yet spotted the massive risks of carrying 15cc of brake fluid in armoured hose bolted to a rigid metal frame wrapped in bubble wrap and finally enclosed in a strong bag or plastic case.

Never mind that the aeroplane is full of gallons of these oils!

I reckon the best (and easiest) thing is for everyone to go back to cantis . They'll work fine in the Alps

On a more serious note. Will they be checking? Will a baggage handler know a hydraulic brake if he sees one? I cant imagine them wanting to rummage around in bike bags/cases.

Is this a wind up. I have been searching the Easyjet web site and can not find any thing to do with hydraulic fluid. Chefs blow torch and guns, yes. While i was browsing, i filled in my application form to become a pilot and an air hostess for Damon. We are looking forward to flying you to your next destination.

They seam to be taking things a bit too seriously don't they. I'm on an easy Jet flight next week (off to Italy boarding) so will ask the question at check in and let you all know. My bet is the check staff wan't know anything about it.

Andy

Andy - follow the attached link:
http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Book/regulations.html

look at the final bullet point in section 10

Given that 100's of mountain bikers must fly with Easyjet to Geneva each year all carrying bikes, it will not take them long to realise that virtually all of them break the rules. If they decide to enforce this rule and other airlines do also, that is the end of Alpine MTB holidays.
I will try to call Easyjet to get clarification. There is not much point Damon booking a club Alpine trip if nobody can take their bikes. I suppose we could all pay someone to drive over in a van with our bikes!

Hello All. Where are you all going this year. Susie has offered to look after the kids so I might be able to come this time. If you want to hire a van I would chip in with the driving and costs if the bikes can't be transported with easy jet. Now how much can I get get for all those bikes on ebay?

I wouldn't be happy booking a flight knowing that they reserve the right not to take my bike, and perhaps not inform me until I landed. Best to find an airline that is prepared to put it in writing that they will carry your bike.

NOTE: They should also ban bike with oil on their chains or grease in their free-hubs.

I'm flying EasyJet tomorrow - I hope they haven't suddenly banned snowboards!

What about flying BA? AFAIK, they will take bikes (according to a work colleague who also saw the Easyjet ban and decided to not take the risk).

BA Flights from Heathrow to Geneva in July are £99 at the mo.

Just a thought...

BA when i phoned said that the can take bikes but stressed the weight limit ie: anything over 25 kg is charged at £5 per kg each way!!

On a seperate call i managed to somehow get through to the director of safety for BA (who happenend to have a bike with disc brakes) and inform him of Easyjets new policy. His reaction was something along the lines of fu....ck in wankers but said i should call him back on his mobile on Tuesday to make sure a directive from ICAO (governing aviation body on safety) had not been issued and that BA may have just been slow to react. Lets hope not!

We could all drive down to the alps. Say 4 people in a car with 4 bikes on the roof would be fairly cost effecive and quick if we split the driving. Takes 8 hours or so from Calais. So by the time we had got to the airport, checked in hung around and then bussed it to the resort at the other end we could almost be there.

I like Andy and Hwe positive attitude.
3 years ago i flew with BA from Heathrow to Geneva £75.00 each way, leather seats, leg room and a meal. Best of all no excess.