The Bottom Line on Taking a Bike on Lufthansa:

Our team of highly-trained bicycle travel scientists gives Lufthansa a Bicycle Flight Grade (BFG) of C. A carry-on bag is included with all fare classes, and a checked bag with most classes, but that's about the only good thing we can say. Oversize and overweight fees are exorbitant - just about as high as they get. The bike fee is reasonable if you're only flying within Germany, but as soon as you fly anywhere else the rates skyrocket, as high as $287. The dimension limits for standard checked baggage are the same as most US carriers, so the only chance of avoiding outrageous fees is to have a small bike in the smallest possible bike case. You could also pick a different airline... 

Lufthansa Baggage and Bicycle Policies at a Glance:

Please note that this information is subject to change and may not reflect the most recent information available on Lufthansa's website. (Updated 9/13/18) 

A few general notes on flying with a bicycle: 

A few things to keep in mind when flying with a bike on Lufthansa actually apply to all airlines. It’s important to come to the airport prepared with a knowledge of airline policies and procedures. We have found that airline employees are often woefully misinformed about their own company's policies, so it can be helpful to bring a printed reference of any relevant policies, especially those regarding baggage allowances and fees. It’s also prudent to take baggage policies into account when planning a trip and buying tickets. Why take the budget airline if they are sticklers at the baggage counter and will likely charge you double or triple to fly with your bike? 

Lastly, a true Airport Ninja knows that airline employees don’t always play by the book, and this can both help us and hurt us as customers. Many gate agents will never look twice as your bags, while others are vigilantes who play fast and loose with the tape measure. Checking in early, approaching a well-rested-looking ticketing agent and being very polite, or using curbside check-in and offering a small tip are all strategies that can all help turn the odds in your favor. For more advice on how to be an Airport Ninja, see our blog Ninja Tutelage Lesson 1 - What's in the Bag?

Your best chance to avoid paying fees is to pack your bike in the smallest possible bike case, especially one with no obvious markings that indicate that it is a bike. This is where the Orucase Airport Ninja comes to the rescue. Designed and tested by professional cyclists to minimize or even eliminate excess baggage fees. Become an Airport Ninja Today.