Bike on Ryanair – where do you put your helmet?

I’m renting a bike box to take my bike on Ryanair next month. I can take a bag on for the overhead lockers, which can be 55 x 40 x 20cm apparently. I’m not sure though that I really want to put my helmet in either of those two places.

Where do you lot put your helmets in this case? Will Ryanair be giving me dark looks if I have it on my lap? It’s just a road helmet.

Last time I flew with my bike was 1999 and I can’t remember what I did then, but I did have more checked baggage that time

I always clip helmets to my backpack hand luggage. Never had any issues.

On my head. Never had any problems. Normal bike helmet though, not a bank robbers full facer

Everything goes in the bike box. When I’ve packed my bike, there’s a nice little cavity in between bits of the frame where the helmet fits perfectly. 🙂

In theory, all the budget airlines have a “you should only pack the bike in the box, nothing else” but I’ve flown dozens of times with everything shoved in there – clothing, a few tools, helmet, toiletries, cycling shoes… No-one has ever said anything about it, it’s always been under 32kg and everything has always arrived safe and sound.

Only time it was ever opened was TSA as I transited through USA but even then they managed to leave it all undisturbed and close the case up properly.

Ask the air hostess?

Normally in my hand luggage. There’s not much else useful to go in there that change go in the hold. If they have a problem with it, put it in your head. There’s no rule against hats.

it’s always been under 32kg

FWIW in their usual bid to be as awkward as possible Ryanair officially allow 39jg for a bike though once I was surprised by the weight of my bike bag at check in and the Ryanair bod said it was fine as long as it was under 32kg.  Though of course you might be unlucky and get the jobsworth at check-in.

Carry on. You may also wish to take your shoes and pedals in case your bike goes AWOL and you have to rent for a day or two.

Even if the policy says ‘nothing other than the bike in the bag’ I’m not sure how the airline would tell. I’m pretty sure security scanning folk won’t be looking up the policy for each airline as each bike bag goes through.

Anyway back to the original question – I’d carry the helmet on, to save any damage mainly.

As above, worth thinking what other bits you might want separate to your bike, just incase it goes AWOL.

Ive always carried mine. And also a set of shoes, pedals, lights etc in the hand luggage just in case. Never had a problem.

Airlines weigh the bag to work out overweight fees but as long as it’s under 32kg they don’t care what’s in it.

Ryanair officially allow 39jg for a bike

Hamfisted typing –  officially 30kg for a bike on Ryanair

https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12888834233489-What-sports-equipment-can-I-bring-on-board

Wear it.

Your SPD shoes too.

I used to pack everything in the bike bag until security decided to have a look and didn’t bother zipping up afterwards

Make sure stuff can’t fall out is all I’m saying

I’ve always packed it in with the bike along with pads, shoes, tools etc.

Not Ryanair, but EasyJet. I always “wear” my helmet on the plane, both when I go skiing or cycling.

As others have said, I also make sure I’ve got my riding shoes, gloves, glasses and a set of riding gear in my hand luggage, just in case my bike goes missing.

It’s got nothing to do with the airlines what is in the bike box.

It’s the security department that x-ray the box and decide if what’s in it is acceptable or not.

And it’s the baggage handlers that impose the 32kg max weigh limit. Although the airlines have to carry the box so they might alter that downwards.

I’ve always put as much as possible in the box. Especially any tools and spares. Just don’t go over the weigh limit or they will kick off and make you take items out.