Ebike on a plane without the battery

[Bones]

Another question about my trip away.
Can I take my bike on the plane without the battery?
I was just going to stick it in the hold and say nothing, but my mate says I should check first.
All well and good providing the answer is on the Internet.
Its Manchester Airport security I need to ask but it seems impossible to contact them. Phone number not working and email just going to a complaint page.
Any one had any issues with Manchester?

 

[B1rdie]

I boarded from Manchester with my cube last year, the man at the scanner kept it going forward and backwards for a few moments, looking more at my face than at the monitor, then let it pass, no problem. Keep kool and it will be alright. No battery inside the bikebag, obviously.

 

[Ark]

They won't care, just say the batteries been removed.

it probably won't even go through a scanner with you present, most airports have a drop off point for bikes/skis etc that has an intercom where you have to request a member of staff.

There's no actual scanner just a void to hand your stuff over

 

[Bones]

Cheers guys

 

[Doomanic]

There's no actual scanner just a void to hand your stuff over

There's always a scanner, just not at the desk. The last piece of oversize baggage I dropped off was my rebreather at Zagreb airport. Somebody in security didn't like the look of it so I was escorted from the BA lounge into the bowels of the airport and ushered into a room that looked suspiciously like an EOD bunker...
They showed me the X-ray of the crate and asked me to open it and explain what it was.

 

[Mteam]

They won't care, just say the batteries been removed.

it probably won't even go through a scanner with you present, most airports have a drop off point for bikes/skis etc that has an intercom where you have to request a member of staff.

There's no actual scanner just a void to hand your stuff over

There's definitely a scanner at Manchester airport (all terminals),I've taken many bikes through it, no ebikes thought,but that will change in September when I take my fuel exe with range extender only -assuming the range extender turns up before then.


I think you'll be fine without the battery,but do come back and let us know either way.

 

[Bones]

There's definitely a scanner at Manchester airport (all terminals),I've taken many bikes through it, no ebikes thought,but that will change in September when I take my fuel exe with range extender only -assuming the range extender turns up before then.


I think you'll be fine without the battery,but do come back and let us know either way.

Will do but not going until August

 

[Doomanic]

Be aware that it's the airline that has the final say, not security at the airport. SleasyJet state;

Electric bicycles are not permitted for travel.

From here; https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/sports-equipment

Note that it doesn't say eBike batteries, it just says eBikes.

Ryanscare are the same;

Bicycles (max weight 30kg), MUST be contained in a protective box or protective bike bag in order to be accepted for travel. Electric bicycles cannot be transported on Ryanair’s aircraft.

As are BA;

You can take a non-motorised bicycle

 

[B1rdie]

Usually, what happens is:
Go to the check in line of your company, they will weigh, mesaure and look inside (eventually…)
If its ok, they will tag the bag and send you to a sepecial luggage drop off point
At the point, there will be a huge scanner capable to scan large packages,
They will probably scan it in front of you and proceed with loading it.
This has become the rule for every airport worldwide.
I would be very woried to board an airplane if I knew they are boarding non scanned volumes.

 

[Bones]

Be aware that it's the airline that has the final say, not security at the airport. SleasyJet state;

From here; https://www.easyjet.com/en/help/baggage/sports-equipment

Note that it doesn't say eBike batteries, it just says eBikes.

Ryanscare are the same;

As are BA;

That's what I am trying to sort out, but it seems impossible to talk to security!

 

[Bones]

Ok latest update.
If you ask the help bot the same question about 8 times it eventually rolls over and gives in!
You are then redirected to the easyjet online chat where I enquired about the no ebike wording.
According to the lady I was chatting to, all is OK and the bike with no battery will be put in the hold as if it was a standard bike.
I did suggest that the wording was altered on the website but I think that was well above her pay grade.
So seeing as the chat was recorded I have some ammo if challenge.

 

[andycapandy]

Hi, I can awnser your question!
I've flown 9 ebikes out to cyprus,all with easyjet from Manchester Airport terminal 1, within the last 5 months. Its took about 4 trips in all as only 1 bike per person.
No problems what so ever. When they ask I told them ebikes inside.
Yes they scan the box. They will find battery if inside. ( this is confirmed 100%)
Can weigh 32kg max. If over then they have no knife or tape to help you open and reseal ( I punched hole in side of box and dug stuff out....my wife's bras )
Wrapped clothes around frame for protection. No issues.
Workshop stand inside box No issues.
Box size... No issues. 1 of mine didn't fit on the large conveyer belt so I had to take it downstairs and push through a doorway that I was not allowed to step into. But still no problem on size, just a longer walk to drop off.

 

[Bones]

Many thanks Andy. That also means I can ignore the wording, no clothes or other items allowed in the bike container

 

[andycapandy]

Yes ignore that part. I read that too, so I just made sure clothes was wrapped around frame so looked like protection rather than clothes just loose in box.

 

[Mteam]

Many thanks Andy. That also means I can ignore the wording, no clothes or other items allowed in the bike container

Sorry for thread resurection,but I presume you had no trouble taking your ebike without battery through Manchester airport?

I'm Flying out next week with my trek fuel with the main battery removed and left at home, and the 160wh range extender in my carry on baggage....

 

[Mcharza]

Please note that the IATA rules only allow max. taking 100Wh to the cabin. Of course, not all airlines follow this rule.

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/05e6d8742b0047259bf3a700bc9d42b9/iata-guidance-on-smart-baggage-with-integrated-lithium-batteries-and-electronics.pdf

 

[Mteam]

Please note that the IATA rules only allow max. taking 100Wh to the cabin. Of course, not all airlines follow this rule.

https://www.iata.org/contentassets/05e6d8742b0047259bf3a700bc9d42b9/iata-guidance-on-smart-baggage-with-integrated-lithium-batteries-and-electronics.pdf

Read the top of page 3 ,160wh is allowed if the airline also allows it.

 

[Bones]

Yes no problems with the ebike side of things. If they ask if it's an ebike, just say no as I was asked in Geneva on the way back.
Biggest problems were with the weight and size of the box.
Two mates had fancy hired boxes on wheels and they really struggled to get under 32kg just bike alone. The airline staff even kicked off at 32-2kg.
I had a cardboard box that i cut down about three times until it would go no smaller.
I only just got under the 32kg limit with next to no spares in the backpack.
Next problem was the size. The box has to stand upright on the trolley and you can't see over the top of it! And in Geneva it was a shunt to get into the lift. Best option is probably a bike bag.
If you go the box way then take some spare tape and cut extra handling holes, especially on the ends.

 

[Bones]

Btw in samoens using the ski lifts I never needed the battery.

 

[Mteam]

Yes no problems with the ebike side of things. If they ask if it's an ebike, just say no as I was asked in Geneva on the way back.
Biggest problems were with the weight and size of the box.
Two mates had fancy hired boxes on wheels and they really struggled to get under 32kg just bike alone. The airline staff even kicked off at 32-2kg.
I had a cardboard box that i cut down about three times until it would go no smaller.
I only just got under the 32kg limit with next to no spares in the backpack.
Next problem was the size. The box has to stand upright on the trolley and you can't see over the top of it! And in Geneva it was a shunt to get into the lift. Best option is probably a bike bag.
If you go the box way then take some spare tape and cut extra handling holes, especially on the ends.

Thanks, I have a bike bag that I've been using for years with my yt Capra,so will just use that. Weight shouldn't be a problem as the bike without battery weighs 17.5kg, only a bit heavier than my Capra.

 

[Mteam]

Btw in samoens using the ski lifts I never needed the battery.

Where I'm going is mostly van uplifts,but with some pedalling ,maybe 2000 feet per day of uphill, hence taking the small range extender.

 

[Bones]

Just see how much the bag weighs as I was surprised how much cardboard did.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Anyone done this recently with BA (ebike with battery removed)?