Do I have to let the tyres and suspension (air at both ends) down?
Any other packing tips?
It is a Yeti 575 in a semi rigid Dakine Case, quite short so both wheels are going to have to come off.
keppoch.
spacers between dropouts, spacers between disc pads, pack body armour/pads/clothing round other bits. Take off mech and hanger and tape inside chain stays wrapped in bubble wrap
yes they want tyres deflated.
pedals off
pipe lagging around frame.
Never had to deflate tyres or shock..
dont waste time deflating tyres. A full tyre offers extra padding, and as atmospheric pressure is only ~15PSI, if your 737 flew into space your tyres still wouldnt go pop, and nor would your shock. Never had anyone check and ask me to deflate filled tyres, if the baggage instructions ask it they have a flimsy grasp of physics.
Dunno how your bike will "sit" in your box, or how stiff semi-rigid is, but if the wheels are going either side of the frame or similar have the disc rotors inboard so they dont get bent by external forces (I take mine off when I fly my bike in a bike bag after having had one bent, but most of my holidaying mates dont bother).
Some airlines insist that the tyres are down [for whatever reason] but all they do is ask you if you've done it
just lie, if asked