Bikes & Kulula

[TwiggzSA]

Has anyone transported their bike on a Kulula flight recently?

 

I see that they have changed their policy around baggage and their call center is useless (they just read off their website).

 

I want to know what's the deal? Is a bike bag automatically charged as extra? I see that their old rules allow a normal checked in bag to be substituted with a bike bag, the new rules seem to state that they are automatically charged as "Heavy Luggage".

 

Also their size limitation seems a little on the tight side for a bike, especially a 29er.

 

Anyone flown Kulula recently with their bike that could comment? Also what packaging did you use (or a bike bag) and what size?

[kandui]

My wife and I flew Kulula to the Sani. We both had boxes, hers was a stock bike box and mine was a Bike Safe. We put all our clothes into the boxes and carried a day pack as hand luggage. Her box came in at 23kg, so she paid no excess luggage. My box weighed in at 28kg and I was asked to bring it down to 26kg. I paid R 250 "heavy luggage". They charge it as soon as any item of luggage goes over 23kg.

Same on the way home. We only paid for 1 bike box. We took a chance and did not pay for the "heavy luggage" online (at R200).

Go to the counter, be nice and you might be surprised. Worse that will happen is that you pay R 250 instead of the online price of R 200.

The size of the box doesn't interest them, it's the weight.

 

By the way. You are now only allowed 1 piece of check-in luggage and that must be no more than 23kg in weight.

Edited July 11, 2012 by kandui

[TwiggzSA]

Cool, thanks. That's good to know, I can't find anything about the maximum size bag except for H + W + L = 208cm and I can't find a bag that comes close to those specs.

 

I should be able to keep the weight under 23kg's, otherwise like you say you can always just pay the extra at check-in if they don't like my face.

[kosmonooit]

From http://www.kulula.com/flights/baggage/sports-equipment

 

 

Sports equipment is handled and charged for as extra bags.

 

'Heavy bag' fees will be charged for at R250 per piece of luggage weighing more than the allowed 20kg at the airport, additional pieces will be charged at R300 at the airport and R200 when booked online or through the Contact Centre.

 

travelling with a bike?

 

If you wish to take your bike with you, you must disassemble and pack it in a hard or soft case or a manufactured bike box. You must also check-in no later than 90 minutes prior to departure. If the bike is not packed according to our requirements, or you are later than one hour, we will not be able to take your bike on board.

Generally, the following applies to disassemble your bike:

Remove front wheel

Remove back wheel if necessary (easiest if the bike is in the highest gear)

Remove pedals

Lower or remove seat post (don't forget to mark it before moving it)

Turn handle bars sideways and tape to the frame, ensuring the front forks are secured

Remove any accessories (e.g. front carriers)

Deflate the bicycle tyres

Packing your bike

 

When packing your bike remember to:

Put the frame in the box (of course)

Place any accessories in the box (ensure that only bike parts are packed in the box)

Seal, label and tag the box

Ensure no part of the bike is protruding out

[Lucky Luke.]

If you're using a soft bag make sure you remove your derailleur. I did not and had to borrow a bike to ride Sani.

[JGR]

Also take out your co2 bombs and deflate your tyres ... had the displeasure of having to completely unpack the whole damm thing right there to take the bombs out ..

[kandui]

Cool, thanks. That's good to know, I can't find anything about the maximum size bag except for H + W + L = 208cm and I can't find a bag that comes close to those specs.

 

I should be able to keep the weight under 23kg's, otherwise like you say you can always just pay the extra at check-in if they don't like my face.

 

I find that if you are friendly to the check-in staff they will make a plan. The Bike Safe is pretty large and was not an issue at all. A hard shell box gives you that extra bit of protection.

[TwiggzSA]

I find that if you are friendly to the check-in staff they will make a plan. The Bike Safe is pretty large and was not an issue at all. A hard shell box gives you that extra bit of protection.

 

Hey kandui, did you rent the bike bag or do you own one?

[Ryan]

Also take out your co2 bombs and deflate your tyres ... had the displeasure of having to completely unpack the whole damm thing right there to take the bombs out ..

 

Also, dont call them bombs at the airport. They don't find that funny...

[JGR]

Also, dont call them bombs at the airport. They don't find that funny...

 

Bwahaha indeed!

[Thomo]

My wife and I flew Kulula to the Sani. We both had boxes, hers was a stock bike box and mine was a Bike Safe. We put all our clothes into the boxes and carried a day pack as hand luggage. Her box came in at 23kg, so she paid no excess luggage. My box weighed in at 28kg and I was asked to bring it down to 26kg. I paid R 250 "heavy luggage". They charge it as soon as any item of luggage goes over 23kg.

 

Bike Safes are great for protecting your equipment but you have little chance of keeping it under the weight limit. LOL

Smile and be polite, and perhaps you'll get lucking ... or be prepared to pay the extra costs.

R250 probably isn't unreasonable.

[Dusty 13]

Flew Kulula with a bike on the weekend. Dismantled as mentioned above (it wont fit in a cardboard bike box anyway if you don't) .Put in cardboard bike box. Deflate tyres. R250 cost

No issues

[funjunkie]

You may not get your bike on the same flight during argus weekend. They need to get hundreds if not thousands of bike to cape town that weekend. This is from 2012 but i suspect not much has changed.

 

https://www.google.c....56643336,d.ZGU

Edited November 18, 2013 by funjunkie