Flying With Brompton

I am flying with Easy Jet to Inverness from Gatwick later this year and I want to take my Brompton. I have already booked some hold baggage and the Brompton would be well within the weight limit for the hold baggage.  The Easy Jet website tells me that I could book extra sports equipment for a price: small sports gear (up to 20kg within a list of specific equipment) is £37 per journey and large is £45.  Bicycles are in the large sports equipment category. The charges are higher if you pay at the airport so I would prefer not to wing it.

Does anyone have experience of taking a Brompton on Easy Jet. Can I get away with it, bagged, as my hold luggage allowance or do I need to book it as large sports equipment? Ta.

I’ve not done it but if it is within size and weight limits the surely it is standard hold luggage?

I’ve always taken mine as regular hold baggage, but I have a decent bag.

Mine used to travel enclosed in the Airnimal suitcase. I did however fly it once in a thick clear polythene bag. Its obvious in a clear bag, and provided you pad the folding pedal, its a robust package. Never had an issue.

I fly with mine in a Brompton specific case. On the rare occasion I’m asked what’s inside I say sports equipment, I’ve never been asked for further details.

Excellent, thanks for the responses.

The advantage of a Brompton as a booked in bike is the extra weight allowance, 32kg v 20kg,  also, the bike goes through the oversized bag channel so a bit more care, apparently.

I just disguise mine as ordinary baggage, the IKEA dimpa bag with cardboard cut for sides, top and bottom.  Adv being at destination, wrap up bag and cycle away, no box to carry.

Done it loads of times no damage at all, you do need to remove saddle and seat post to fit inside dimpa.

you do need to remove saddle and seat post to fit inside dimpa

Really?

Top tip – you can get Dimpa bags off Amazon, avoiding the horror of a trip to IKEA

Bike product idea #243

Is there such a thing as a bag/box that can fit a Brompton, to secure it against baggage handling damage, but once the bike has been unpacked, it can be towed behind as a small trailer ?

You wouldn’t be allowed to take a Brompton (in a bag) on as cabin baggage would you…?

Is there such a thing as a bag/box that can fit a Brompton, to secure it against baggage handling damage, but once the bike has been unpacked, it can be towed behind as a small trailer

I take mine to Amsterdam on KLM in a canvas zip up square shaped bag lined with cardboard. At Schiphol I dump the bag and cardboard in left luggage and ride out of the airport or get on a train. I bought the canvas bag 15 or so years ago so can’t remember where from.  The only damage I’ve suffered is a cracked rear mudguard.