It is often difficult to transport unusual luggage or your favorite sports equipment by plane. The rules of each airline vary depending on the type of equipment. This article is for enthusiasts who want to travel by plane with their bike, kite-surf, surfboard, golf club or professional photography equipment.
Tunisair classifies sports equipment as special baggage: ski equipment, golf, surfing, bicycles, wheelchairs, firearms, … Part of it can be carried on the plane.
Remember that you can only carry in the cabin that material that complies with the conditions of hand baggage, that is to say the number of packages, the characteristics, the weight and the dimensions of the same, handle, pockets and wheels included. You must therefore check in baggage that exceeds these figures. The bag or carry-on baggage in which you carry your sports equipment for outdoor sports must fit in the baggage counter at the airport and you must be able to fit it into the overhead compartments of the aircraft without assistance.
Transport of bicycle, golf bag, surf equipment: Maximum weight
The bicycle and the tandem are among the sports equipment most transported by plane but must respect a certain maximum weight when flying in economy class. To take your bike on the plane, it must travel in the hold and requires prior authorization from Tunisair to be requested as soon as possible (up to 2 days maximum before departure).
For example, when traveling on a flight serving a destination in Germany, the weight not to be exceeded is 20kg, and 15kg for other countries).
Each airline has certain regulations for traveling with equipment for outdoor sports. For this reason, before purchasing the ticket and preparing the suitcase, you should consult the conditions on special baggage, which are those which usually specify the weight and quantity limits of the material admitted, as well as the additional charges and fees. packing and transport conditions at Tunisair.
Tips to ensure that your bike is in good condition in the hold:
- Pack it in a suitable box
- Put the handlebars in parallel with the length of the frame
- Uninstall the pedals or even the wheels to reduce the size and thickness of the box / container
- Avoid simple bicycle covers that do not protect against shocks (portable bicycle cover type)
Billing of sports equipment
For the acceptance of sports equipment on the flight, the space reservation must have been made at least 24 hours before your arrival at check-in.
Once at the airport, due to the nature of sports baggage, you must arrive at the airport well in advance to allow the check-in and transport of the material to the aircraft and its cargo in hold.
Equipment for outdoor sports must be properly packaged, labeled, placed and secured in such a way that it does not interfere with or damage the rest of the baggage or your own equipment during embarkation, transport and disembarkation. Some companies sell boxes for packing your equipment at many airports. If the Tunisair airline staff detects any irregularities in the way of packing your special baggage, they will ask you to use this packing. If the dimensions of your material to be invoiced exceed those of the box, you will be responsible for finding another suitable for these dimensions. At the end of this article, you will find a video tutorial on how to pack a bike.
If your equipment cannot be carried on the baggage belts, airline employees will use a system that makes it easier to transport that baggage to the plane. The costs that this operation may entail will be charged to your account.
Keep in mind that for security reasons the loading capacity of special baggage in the hold of the aircraft is limited, so there is a minimal possibility that you may not be able to travel with your special baggage.