[Closed] Flying with a helmet

I always carry a helmet as hand luggage, never had an issue or questioned on a second item. Assuming it's a proper airline it will be fine

Kiwi immigration made a joke as I was there on business that time, asked how rough my meetings were going to be 😉

It’s a hat. If they question it, put it on your head...

I've always just put our helmets in the bike bag, never had any issues or damage to them

safety first, if they reckon a life jacket is going to save you in a plane crash, I reckon there's a valid argument for a cycle helmet! 😆

<pedant> Actually, it's the oxygen masks and the brace position that save you in a plane crash. The life jackets are to keep you nice & fresh for the sharks afterwards. </pedant>

So if I was taking any bicycle safety equipment on a plane, it'd be bombers.

Cheers everyone, so far, more welcome and phnar comments tolerated. I will wash my helmet before I go though.

Weird flight this one, out to Vancouver on Air Canada, into NZ on NZ Air, out via them back through LA all on a Lufthansa ticket. Lots of phone calls, only AC want £30 handling fee.

Wow sorry but that sounds like hell!!

Air NZ are the most chilled out, but just carry it through with you - I only pack mine in a bag if it's 100% uncrushable as it easy to take as carry on. And it saves some nice bulky space in the bag. Even the exceptionally over enthusiastic/shit manchester security don't bother.

mikewsmith, I am looking at it as an adventure! So much to see... worst flight is is out to OZ then a connecting flight to NZ,

Ringing the airlines is actually lots of fun and information gathered, the flight is £700  so no complaints there. All have been super helpful  hopefully they will upgrade me as they see what a nice person I am:)

I always take two as hand luggage, you are allowed one in addition to the bag (Emirates, Virgin and Easyjet anyway) and the other can be worn as a hat, never had a problem.

Hang on Vancouver to Oz then NZ? I see why it's a bargain!!

I've never done a link up like that but I've always just carried one, if I've got a second one I can usually finagle an openface into a hold bag, well padded with clothes. Never had anyone question the carry-on though I secretly want them to so I can wear it onto the plane.

Mike, this is just four flights in total!

I meant the Oz in the past on was the worst ever! never again!

Ah that is a bit better then!! Much prefer the direct route myself and any airport that isn't LAX!!

Make sure your bike is spotlessly clean.

I usually travel with a maximum size carry-on and a helmet on top. The helmet clips on to the bag while I schlep it round the airport and then I just put it in the overhead with my jacket, if there's room, or even under the seat. Never ever had a problem. Mind that it doesn't get swept off the X-ray tray when it goes into the machine, as they're light and floaty things.

Thanks everyone, I am just over a week away from flying.

Couple of extra questions;

I want to take my Hope front light and rear lights, it gets dark at 8.30 ish in summer.... so I need to find my way after after the pub etc.  Can I carry on board? Discharge fully or leave some charge in for customs?

Forks with air suspension; do i leave as is or deflate a bit; where the hell is my fork pump anyhow!

Heading out to the Hauraki Rail Trail, then up to the Coromandal, with some Woodhill and Riverhead thrown in. Any one out there in December?

Lights I've taken as hand luggage, nobody has ever asked to see them work, though it might need connecting at some point.

Forks, never changed pressure.

I just attach it to my hand luggage. Only time I’ve been pulled up is with my full face by easy jet flying to the alps. I then just wore it and they couldn’t say anything - needless to say passport control & security had s different view!

+1 helmet carry on is fine, even if you've already got a bag or two. With any carry on just don't mention it at check in. Leaves the gate to kick up a fuss and it's unlikely so long as it's not taking the piss.

Lights and batteries, they need to be batteries connected to the device for the hold I think,not loose. Better carry on.

Not taken air out of shocks and tyres. Some airlines think you should, others not. There's no reason to as the hold is same pressure as cabin. It's a pressure of few thousand feet but you don't need to take pressure out riding in mountains. If they ask say you've done it.

Never been to NZ but I've heard they're obsessive at Customs re ensuring that no potential plant disease or non indigenous plants \ seeds get in. So +1 for making sure your bike is  spotless, especially tyres.

Oh if I didn't mention before for cleaning make sure the cleanest bits of the wheels are where the zips of the wheel pockets are, your shoes are easy to get to and under the saddle/inside the steerer is clean, fav little checking spots for the quarantine people. Also wash the bike, let it dry then clean the mud off, wet wipes do a great job

Should be fine carrying helmet on all the airlines you mention. Second the spotless bike and shoes - need to take care because if they need to irradiate to kill stuff it can be a $X on the spot fine......

need to take care because if they need to irradiate to kill stuff it can be a $X on the spot fine……

Do you mean irradiate in the bucked of disinfectant?

NZ are obsessive about no "forgeign matter". If you take your fishing kit you have to take your waders, boots and net to a UK vet and pay to get a certificate say the vet has sterilised it all and its bug/virus free. If your bike and shoes have the tiniest bit of dirt you run the risk of losing a lot of time and money getting it cleaned at their end before its released back to you.

I've done nz immigration with bikes a fair bit, they have disenfectant to clean stuff like shoes at the airport (bucket no fine) so long as its not big lumps grass etc bikes have been ok.

Fines are mostly to scare and catch the idiots.

They will. Confescate food stuff etc.

I wouldn't put a helmet in a check in back. You have no idea what's been dumped heavily on it during handling.

Carried my helmet when flying with Easyjet to Vencie (was heading up to Garda). Didn't have any problems.

Just flew into nz yesterday, Auckland bio was fine, didn't even open the bike box up happy with how I'd cleaned it. Bikes were spotlessly clean anyway.

Ff helmet went on with hand luggage and was fine down to Queenstown

Hi All,

Just back and everything went fine. Just thought some notes may help fellow travelers, The helmet went through fine!

Scrub everything and tell everyone who checks your stuff, bio security at Auckland thanked me.

Flew on a mixture of Star Alliance airlines, who had all the same policy, bar Air Canada who charged £30 for London to Vancouver. On the way back, I was over the limit by 3kg, but I just said I don't know what I can take out and he nodded. Use zip ties to secure zips, at LA they were just concerned that there may be padlocks that may prevent security looking in, they cut off the main zip one. Take off shoulder straps.

Plenty of taxis and vans with trailers at Auckland to get you into the city, you can ride on cycle paths into Auckland, but its a slog and there are better things to do. The bus system in Auckland is fantastic, clean, cheap and frequent, so if you are based there don't bother with a rental car. Fuller ferries form Auckland, go out to the Coromandel and take bikes.

In terms of rides i did.
Woodhill Forest; excellent and $10 for the day; you need a car for this. Riverhead is also good, both near to Auckland,

Huaraki Rail Trail; very different and flat, but good for gravel riding. Take water and more water, sun factor 50 as well. Pedlars Motel in Paerora is really good, with a lock up for bikes.

Oakune is a great town, in the shadow of Mount Ruapehu. Good access to trails.
Did the Fisher Track and Old Coach Road, missed out on Tree Trunk Gorge though.

Its really getting sorted for riding off road, lots of good websites out there for it. Everything is maintained well and not crowded at all!

Finally the dairies/bakeries are a great source of the famous NZ pies etc. A steak and cheese pie for £2? Got to be worth going for just these.