Flying with a Bike

I’m a pretty frequent flier across to the states but never done it with a bike.
Flying American Airlines to DFW via ORD from Heathrow.
Was hoping to take my bike with me, not essential, but thought I’d check out the local trails there.
Anyways, I was intending on putting the bike in my Planet X bike bag.

The policy is that you can take sports equipment checked instead of an item of checked luggage(normal bag) This is no problem due to AA’s policy of allowing 2 items of hand luggage.

http://www.americanairlines.co.uk/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/sport.jsp#

However I’ve just measured the bike bag (with bike in!) and its 114cm x 90cm x 20cm.

Would I have to pay the $150 fee do you think?
Anyone flown with a bike in a bike bag, particularly with AA, any experiences? Cheers

No one?

wouldn’t it be better to hire a bike out there?

Well if it was free to take my bike, it would be better to do that then hire I reckon ( i wouldnt hire)

Never flown with AA but most airlines are used to bike bags

Your bike bag will be over the 62″ limit to allow it to qualify as one of your checked luggage bags so yes, I reckon you’ll get stung for $150 if they’re feeling so inclined

New Ryanair Prototype? (Wing charge may apply)