How to travel with a Brompton bicycle on an airplane

[@frozenflame597]

this was the EXACT video i was looking for. Thank you SOOOOO SOOO much for making this. My anxiety was through the roof in just thinking about how to travel with the Brompton. All options I was looking at in blogs and forums have not relieved my anxiety with the overhead bin option-all sounded so risky. But this is much, much, much, MUUUCHHH more clear and thoughtful. I am truly more at ease now. Thank you!

[@ARlELATOM]

How did you get on?

[@evelynvega1730]

Carrying the Brompton bike with one arm is hard for me because sorry to say I’m not that strong and I’m only 5 feet. But I’m glad that I found you for that instructional video and I’m glad too that you had socks on. Thank you.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

How to travel with a Brompton on an airplane Introduction (0:00 - 1:43) This video is for those people who would like to bike to the airport to catch their departing flight and then bike from their arrival airport to their ultimate destination. As such, your luggage will simply consist of your Brompton bicycle and probably a T-bag or a C-bag that clips right onto your Brompton. For travel, I recommend the larger T-bag since it has more space for all of your stuff. This video will address how to get your Brompton through airport security, how to carry your Brompton onto an airplane, and how to gate check the Brompton, if necessary. This video is NOT for people who want to check their Brompton as checked luggage at the airport. Checking your Brompton requires the use of either the soft travel case (B-Bag) or the hard travel case. Although these cases protect the Brompton, they are rather bulky and unwieldy. It can be quite challenging and difficult to bike to/from the airport while lugging a soft or hard travel case with you. You will probably end up needing a car, bus, or train ride to and from the airport. I think a better, lighter, more nimble, and more interesting approach is to bike on your Brompton to and from the airport and then to simply carry the Brompton right onto the airplane with you or to gate check it if necessary. You will NOT need the soft or hard travel case to do this. And I will show you how to adequately protect your Brompton if you need to gate check it. Necessary Materials (1:44 - 3:43) For my more nimble approach, you will need the following equipment: 1 Brompton Bike Cover 1 empty small Ziploc bag 1 small Ziploc bag with 5-6 rubber bands Hex wrench Tennis Ball with slit in it Ikea Dimpa bag 6 to 7 pieces of pipe insulation (with a 1 inch inner diameter) Almost all of these materials easily fit into the outer pockets of the T-bag, which leaves plenty of space for all of your stuff (clothes, toiletries, etc.) inside the main compartment of the T-bag. Step 1: Getting the Brompton through TSA X-ray security (3:44 - 8:09) So you have biked to the airport on your Brompton. Once inside the airport, fold up your Brompton and clip your T-bag onto the Brompton. Roll the Brompton plus bag behind you until you are about 20 yards away from airport security. Now detach the T-bag from the Brompton. Remove the bike seat from the seat post (using the hex wrench) and place it in your T-bag. This helps the Brompton fit through the x-ray scanner. I have done it with the seat on but it is a really tight fit and it can get stuck in the scanner. The Brompton fits through much more easily with the seat removed. Place the slit tennis ball on top of the seat post to protect it. Cover the Brompton with the bike cover. Sling the T-bag over your shoulder and carry the covered Brompton in one hand as you proceed through the security line. When you get to the x-ray scanner, place the T-bag on the x-ray scanner conveyor belt. Then place the covered Brompton with the pedal side down on the conveyor belt with the rear rack facing toward you (facing away from the x-ray scanner opening). If you don’t have a rear rack then the bottom of the wheels should be facing toward you (facing away from the x-ray scanner opening). With the seat removed, this is the shortest side of the bike so the bike should be oriented in this way so that it will fit most easily through the x-ray scanner. After the bike comes through the x-ray scanner on the other side, take the Brompton off of the conveyor belt, remove the bike cover and place it in the T-bag, clip the T-bag back onto the Brompton and roll your Brompton plus bag behind you until you reach your gate. I usually make it through the TSA without any problems. Occasionally, they ask me what the Brompton is and I tell them it is a “personal mobility device” in an effort to avoid the word bike. Sometimes, they ask me directly if it is a bike at which point, I tell them that it is. They then just usually remark on how cool it is. Occasionally, the TSA wants to perform their swab or wipe test on the Brompton to make sure it does not contain explosives. This is fine. They swab/wipe the Brompton, analyze the wipe, and send you on your way. Step 2: Getting the Brompton onto the airplane (8:10 - 10:16) After you arrive at the gate, unclip the T-bag from the Brompton and cover the Brompton with the bike cover. Covering the bike is simply to help avoid the airline giving you a hard time about it. Proceed to the jet way with the T-bag slung over your shoulder and carry the covered Brompton in one hand. As you give the attendant your boarding pass ask him/her for a pink bag tag. Do not affix this tag to the bike but save it for later as you may need it in order to gate check the bike if you cannot carry it onto the plane. Proceed down the jet way. Now on a large airplane like the 737-700 and 737-800 the Brompton will fit into the overhead baggage compartment. However, on smaller planes the Brompton will not fit into the overhead compartment. Before entering the airplane, tell the flight attendant that you have a somewhat fragile carry-on that will not fit in the overhead compartment. Ask the flight attendant if they will let you put your fragile carry-on in the coat closet. If they say yes, great! Put the Brompton in the coat closet. So far in my experience, they say yes about 50% of the time. If they say no, then you will need to prepare and protect your Brompton for a gate check. This can be done on the jet way and it takes about 5 minutes. Step 3: How to gate check your Brompton (if necessary) (10:17 - 15:30) Remove the Ziploc bags, cut pieces of pipe insulation, and Dimpa bag from your T-bag. Remove the Brompton cover from the bike. Remove the 2 hinge clamps and place them in the empty Ziploc bag. Put the Brompton cover and hinge clamps into your T-bag. Now protect and cover Brompton hinges, the front carrier block, and the pedals with the cut pieces of pipe insulation. Use the rubber bands to secure the pipe insulation and help keep it in place. Note that I have a rear rack on my bike which helps protect the bike as well. Now place the entire bike (rear rack side down or bottom of the wheels side down) into the Dimpa Bag. Zip up Dimpa Bag and affix the pink bag tag to the Dimpa Bag and give the bag to the gate check luggage guy. The Dimpa Bag has obvious handles which can be grabbed by the luggage guy as he loads it onto the plane. In addition, I have a sign affixed to the inside of the Dimpa bag that says: “Fragile. Please handle with care.” When you arrive at your destination and emerge from the plane, the luggage guys will bring you your Dimpa Bag with the Brompton inside it. My Brompton has always been returned in pristine condition. It is quite sturdy, well protected, and has not been damaged. Deflating the myth about tire pressure on airplanes (15:31 - 16:20) There is a myth that you need to deflate your tires when taking a bike onto an airplane. You do not need to deflate your tires. It is a waste of time. Both the passenger cabin and the luggage compartment underneath the plane are pressurized so nothing will happen to your tires. Even if the luggage compartment were not pressurized, it would not really matter very much. There is around a 10 psi difference between air pressure at sea level and air pressure at 35,000 feet. Most tires can handle a 10 psi change in the external pressure. That is pretty much it so I hope this video was informative and I wish you much success biking and traveling with your Brompton on the airplane!

[@teotonyo]

He is Very meticulous and caring in all details. Congratulations and Thank you!

[@stephenschuit7880]

Matt, I don't know if you're still monitoring this. I saw this a year or two ago, and again just today. Your earnestness is admirable. I've come to realize that your key assumption-set is this: I'm biking to the airport with no other bags EXCEPT my T-bag and I am flying in one of those larger sized planes that are usually earmarked for international flights, AND we have a 50/50 chance we can board with it and have it in the coat closet OR we want to spend 5-10 minutes on the ramp putting the whole thing together in the IKEA bag. All these seem relatively unlikely scenarios. Why not simply go for the more likely scenarios: I am taking my bike on a plane and it's either going in a hard case or needs to be prepared carefully to go in the IKEA bag. I rather do that latter set-up at home without the stress of the airport. Lastly, when in Budapest last year, plane officials INSISTED that I deflate my tires before boarding. I argued, it went up the management chain and if I wanted to board I had to deflate my tires-this is the only time and place this has happened to me. Thanks.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Stephen, sorry for not responding sooner. Just saw your comment. Actually, here are my assumptions (in order of importance) and their implications. 1. I am biking to the departure airport (often from my house) and I am biking from the arrival airport (often to a hotel). This precludes a heavy, bulky hard case since it would be much more difficult and slow to bike with a heavy, bulky hard case. I only want to bike with lightweight items that do not take up too much space in my T-bag. 2. I want to minimize the chance of the airline damaging my Brompton. My bike is likely to suffer the least damage (or none at all) if it is handled only by me. This requires me either to put it in the larger overhead bins (on larger airplanes - earmarked for longer domestic flights) or in the coat closet (on smaller airplanes). As an aside, my success rate with the coat closet is about 90% on those smaller airplanes. If I were to check the Brompton in an IKEA bag (either at the normal bag check or at the gate), then the airline would handle the Brompton and the risk of damage would increase significantly. I only check the Brompton when forced by the airline and my video describes how to protect the Brompton (with lightweight and low volume materials) in order to reduce the risk of the airline damaging the checked Brompton. But again, I would rather NOT check the Brompton so that only I handle the Brompton. By the way, I have flown with the Brompton over 50 times and I have NEVER been asked to deflate the tires. Sorry to hear that they asked you to do that. Also, as I said earlier, I have only needed to check my Bromtpon about 10% of the time. Of course, how you fly with the Brompton all depends on your underlying assumptions. It sounds like your assumptions are a bit different than mine, which would lead you to different conclusions regarding whether or not to check the Brompton as baggage. Hope that helps.

[@briandavies2833]

Thanks for sharing that. In Europe it's one piece of carry-on in the overhead (55x40x20 [or 25]), often with a 10kg weight restriction, plus a small bag to go under the seat. The B is too big in these circumstances. I would also warn against any tools in carry-on in Europe. Many security agents will not allow tools of any sort through. I have a Vincita Sightseer bag for checking in my B. I will be using it for the first time in Spring. Your use of pipe insulation is a great idea and will be using the pieces you recommend plus some on the top tube just as a filler and I'll take a look at the dérailleur too. Much food for thought, thank you again.

[@phillblake6829]

The gears are in the middle when folded so pretty well protected. Shame about our European rules. Im looking at a trailer that converts to a case for the bike so I can ride to the airport and check the Brompton in.

[@MaxMautner]

Excellent explanatory video--thank you for making such a comprehensive presentation on the logistics and risks.

[@jacc88888]

Excellent video. Very thorough. If I ever take my Brompton on a train I’ll remember to watch this. Also the large zipper/Ikea bag is a great idea for taking the bike on other forms of transport too, like trains, taxis or buses.

[@joseballester1511]

Matt, first time looking at a video from you. Fantastically detailed. Bravo and keep doing them like that.

[@Docbill57]

Thanks for making this very thoughtful presentation.

[@JohhnyPump]

Brilliant. I've fretted so much on how can I bring my Brompton on a plane. Heard and seen(on KZbin and various blogs)on some people doing it. But no real conversation on the worst case scenarios and how to cope with it, least not to my peace of mine. Was never satisfied, until now. All that was so clearly explained by you and how to effectively deal with all that. Thank you so much, great video.

[@lonestarlaurel]

Lucky me, this is my first such video and now feel confident enough to go ahead. Yippee 🥳

[@justinpayswell]

Thanks for the awesome tutorial, you went over the top! You’ve convinced me to save up for a Brompton.

[@annakathryndarling8728]

what a great video! just curious if you have ever put the insulation pipes/rubber bands on before the bike has gone through the scanner? would love to not have to do all this in the airport and just stack my bike on top of my luggage and wheel it through the airport that way instead.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

You definitely could put the insulation and rubber bands on the Brompton before the bike goes through the x-ray scanner. If would fit just fine. I usually do not do this since 90-95%% of the time I am able to put the Brompton in the overhead bins or the coat closet where insulation & rubber bands are unnecessary.

[@wangchili]

Soft insulated Koozies like the ones used to keep cans cold in your hands fit perfectly on the exposed pedals. That's what I use when traveling.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Nice idea! Thanks for the tip.

[@TheYunkitlam]

Thumbs up to you! so detail minded!, keep these informative videos coming!

[@tayloroliver7293]

Incredibly useful and well thought out. You're the man.

[@lonestarlaurel]

Thanks, very much. I can hardly wait and now feel much more confident to try this out myself. Bravo, great, clear vid lesson! 👍👍

[@mickmckigney4177]

Matt, you are definitely a bike and Brompton nerd (a complement brother - :-)) and the detailed and literally all angles covered advice is great. Thanks Matt and safe & happy trails and travels with or without the Brompton!

[@mickmckigney4177]

PS: don't think it would work with Ryanair!

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Thanks for the positive feedback. It might be time to update the original video as I have more tips/tricks that I have learned over the past few years. Ride safely!

[@lonestarlaurel]

Oh!! Yes, please!! Vancouver BC here snd want to go overseas with.

[@annakathryndarling8728]

yes please update!!

[@lookinCZ]

this is what youtube used to be!

[@RajeshS-zw7be]

thank you , very nice explaining ...

[@kierenkd]

I was going to comment about .tyre pressure but it seems you accounted for everything. Good job. Keen to hear how people get on in London / Europe, I suspect the seat post would be an issue of contention

[@snipsdraper7537]

What about that magnetic tool kit that fits inside frame? Does it have to be removed?

[@graviton-xz4mt]

Fantastic presentation! I will not risk taking my Brompton as a carry on, but the presentation was perfect

[@phillblake6829]

Thanks bro Comprehensive guide there. Thanks

[@zirconce]

Thanks a lot for sharing the video. Very informative!

[@fayegaritta4090]

Im gonna have to save this video for future travel.

[@BillReals]

Get the extended seat post, with that you just use the QR to pull out the seat. I got rid of the awful stock pedals and put on QR pedals, i remove those and put them in my carry-on. Don't waste your time covering your Brompton in a bag, TSA is more amused that anything else, nor does the airline care. I carry the DIMPA bag with me in my carry-on should they ever ask me to gate check in. In 8 flights, I've never had to gate check it, I just put it in the overhead bin. Also, the Brompton fits into the folding wheel chair space in the back of the plane. I've found that if you are nice and smile, the flight attendants are more that willing to help you.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

What is the advantage of the extended seat post with the QR? When you release the QR, you now have a seat WITH A LONG POST ATTACHED TO IT! I would rather just have a seat without a post attached to it - much easier to deal with (as I usually put the seat in my T-bag). Also, it only takes about 10 seconds to remove the seat with a small Allen/Hex key. In terms of the overhead bin, the Brompton only fits in the overhead bins of larger aircraft. Many domestic flights are on smaller aircraft where the Brompton simply will not fit in the overhead bins. In these cases, you have to gate check your Brompton or ask the flight attendants if you can stow it in the coat closet. Your idea about stowing the Brompton in the folding wheel chair space in the back of the plane is great! Thanks! I hope to try that on my next flight.

[@BillReals]

Matt Vanderhoek I can put the seat post out/ in 1 second, without tools.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

How do you remove the extendable seat post from the seat? Don't you need a tool to loosen the pentaclip?

[@BillReals]

You don't need to remove the seat. The extended seat post is telescoping and has two QRs. When you loosen the top QR, you can pull out the portion that is the extension; it's maybe 6 inches long with the seat attached. You are not pulling out the entire seat post on the Brompton, the much longer piece stays on the bike. I only remove the extended seat post with seat, when I go thru the Xray and the overhead, otherwise, it's back on the bike. By the way, the Brompton fits just fine in the overheads of most 737s

[@drpeemac]

Precise...mate good work ....

[@angelasim5999]

Thanks for the helpful video nice to see how you can travel with the Brompton!

[@paperjourni8964]

all my questions answered! thank you so much!

I love this video. Thanks

[@paullee7398]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I appreciate the details.

[@happymcmasters9903]

Informative video, Matt. Thanks! I've heard baggage handlers are generally very respectful when they see it's a bike in the clear or opaque plastic bag. What are your thoughts on forgoing the pipe insulation, and just rubber banding soft stuff you're likely to carry anyway: towel, (bagged) socks, underwear, t-shirts?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I think rubber banding the soft stuff (clothes and towel - bagged to keep them clean) could work and it would save space, although I don't think the soft stuff would be as protective as the pipe insulation. Please let me know how it works if you end up giving it a try. Nice idea.

[@wzq718]

You are the HERO, because HERO creates HEROS

[@bucketofbarnacles]

Excellent and helpful.

[@yokumato]

Kudos for your thoroughness, excellent video!

[@radishpineapple74]

What's your strategy with taking your folding bike onto an intercity coach bus? It seems like it's less likely that one would be able to carry on the bike, but putting it in the luggage compartment also would require some extra padding due to the bumps of the road. But then, one would need to carry this extra padding while riding to the bus stop.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

As you point out, the Brompton will likely need to be stored in the luggage compartment underneath the bus. You could use the padding (it weighs very little and it is pretty small) that I describe in the video to protect the bike, but the Brompton is pretty sturdy and I think that it can handle the road bumps without any padding at all. Be sure to cover the bike when you show up to the bus! I have been denied entry onto a bus because I forgot to cover the bike! The bus driver refused to let me bring the bike on the bus (not even to store the bike in the luggage compartment) even though it was smaller than most of the suitcases in the luggage compartment!

[@createthisdotcom]

This is an interesting idea. Why is it necessary to cover the bike before sending it through the TSA scanner though? They obviously see it is a bike with the xray machine. I feel like this is an unnecessary step.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

createthis you are correct. It is unnecessary to cover the bike as it goes thru the scanner. I no longer cover it as it goes through the scanner. But be sure to cover it when going on the airplane!

[@BOXBIKE]

Its also really neccessary to remove the eazy/standardwheels because a hit from the downside can be break or bend your frame.

[@Muddy283]

Apparently not so. I have heard (and I understand this info comes from a Brompton employee) that Brompton have designed the eazywheels to be the weak point in the structure so that, in the event of a hard knock, they will collapse/break before any harm is done to your frame. Another example of the very clever design of the Brompton.

[@mosheanidjar4642]

very good video

[@hw5789]

Great and very helpful. Thanks from Austria. Cheers, Helmut

[@jtorrico]

Great video, will be trying to go carry on for the first time on Monday.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Jorge Torrico Good luck!

[@jtorrico]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 made it thru security perfectly at DCA, no awaiting my flight and have it ready for gate check since it is a smaller regional plane.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Cool. Try asking the stewardess (who is on the plane, NOT the gate agent) if he/she will let you put it in the coat closet. Easier than gate check.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

How did it go?

[@jtorrico]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 they did not allow me to use the coat closet, they said it was due to emergency supplies. The gate check was different than my experience with international flights, it got sent down with regular luggage and I had to retrieve at baggage claim vs. At the gate. I worried about it having been damaged, but it seemed ok. Got me the 28 miles to my hotel just fine.

[@marknichol3298]

Great detail. Thanks! Giving it a try this weekend

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Please let me/us know how it goes. Good luck!

[@bIack0rchId]

Never mess with anyone this organised.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Indeed!

[@thomask837]

Anyone tried this in Australia? I ask because here baggage handlers would go out of their way to destroy anything with fragile or handle with care on it.

[@100toeface]

Great very informative. Some airlines have an actual rule written on their websites that you MUST deflate your bicycle tires by the way.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Interesting. Thanks for the information. The rule does not make sense since the entire airplane (cabin and cargo area) are pressurized to slightly less than normal atmospheric pressure at sea level. Nothing would/will happen to a fully inflated bike tire on an airplane.

[@100toeface]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 yeah I don't doubt that you are correct. Japan isn't know for it's logical rules so it doesn't surprise me at all to see an airline rule from a carrier in Japan with no basis in science.

[@jbath302]

What about the pink tag?

[@fazurinjamaludin8194]

This is awesome! Thanks for this video.

[@dlunaaburto]

Muy buen video. Fantastic, very helpfull

[@hochoonhiong]

hi thanks it is a timely video for me as i am heading to UK... and i am very concerned about the Uk luggage situation... may i ask if it can fit into the compartment size of 787 dreamliner?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I don’t know but I suspect that it would fit on a 787 given the size of the airplane. If/when you find out, please post a reply here as the info would be useful.

[@Ade2bee]

Some really good ideas here

[@mlatief5865]

Educational A lot of effort Thank you

[@antypanag1]

NEXT LEVEL video !!!!!!

[@Ekdog]

Very cool! I want to travel from Europe to the States and back with my Brompton, but I have a couple of questions: 1. Since most airlines only allow you to carry on one piece of luggage, how can you get on on the place with both the Brompton and the T-bag? 2. I've bought my tickets, but it doesn't say on my e-tickets what kind of airplane I'll be flying on. Is there any way of finding out in advance? Thanks again for this fine video.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I have only traveled with my Brompton domestically (in the United States). Most/many airlines (e.g. Delta) allow 1 carry-on item and 1 personal item. So the Brompton counts as my carry-on item and the T-bag counts as my personal item. I have never had a problem. You might be able to call the airline in-advance (a couple days before your flight) and find out the airplane model that you will be flying. However, this is not really necessary. I just ask about the airplane model when I arrive at the gate. If the airplane model works (overhead bins fit the Brompton), then I put my Brompton in the overhead bin. If the airplane model does not work (overhead bins do NOT fit Brompton), then I request to put my Brompton in the coat closet. If they say yes, then great. If they say no, then I simply gate check my Brompton (on the jetway) as described in my video. Over time, I have compiled a list of airplane models that will fit the Brompton in the overhead bins. So when they inform me of the airplane model at the gate, I know whether or not my Brompton will fit into the overhead bins. Typically, it needs to be a larger model airplane that is used for long domestic flights or international flights. Let us know how it works out for you traveling with your Brompton from Europe to the United States. Good luck!

[@oliverstanton349]

Incredibly good presentation (quite frankly, I don't think it could be any better and I am in the communication industry). I may not have enough courage to take the bike on the plane but you have certainly made me give it some serious thought. Kind regards and wishing you future safe travel!

[@hpathree]

Oliver Stanton Do it! It’s fantastic.

[@kathleenjohnson2601]

Hey Matt, thanks for the great video. Have you kept a running list at all of what airplanes the Brompton fits in the overhead bin of? We are flying to Finland from Denver next week via Icelandair. We are on a 757-200 for all our flights. According to the interwebs, the overhead bins are notoriously small (as evidenced by Icelandair's carry on bag dimensions of 7.9" max height). Just trying to figure out if it is worth attempting.. Also, have you had luck with valet checking (rather than gate checking where you have to pick it up at baggage claim rather than the jet bridge)? Does the pink tag let you pick it up on the jetbridge? Sorry for all the questions! Thank you!

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

The Brompton will fit in the overhead bins of a 737-700 and a 737-800 - I have done it. The Brompton likely will not fit on a 737-300 and 737-500, as these are older planes (but I have never flown on these models). I do not know about a 737-900 or 757-200 because I have never tried. Please let me know what you discover about the 757-200. Also, the Airbus 320 and 321 will fit a Brompton on Delta airplanes but not on Spirit airplanes as their overhead bins are constructed differently.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Regarding checked luggage, I may have not been careful about the terminology in my video. So please allow me to clarify. I will refer to two types of checking: 1. Baggage check is where the luggage is returned to you at baggage claim. 2. Jet-bridge check is where the luggage is returned to you at the jet-bridge. For the Brompton, I have done it both ways. I have baggage checked and jet-bridge checked the Brompton (protecting it as shown in the video) and it has always been returned intact. Typically, I carry the Brompton down the jet-bridge to the door of the airplane where I ask the steward(ess) if I can store the Brompton in the coat closet (on an airplane where it will not fit in the overhead bins). They usually say yes. If they say no, then I jet-bridge check the Brompton. A pink tag is affixed to the bag which allows me to pick up the Brompton at the jet-bridge upon arrival. Very rarely, they will give you a white tag when you check the Brompton on the jet-bridge. The white tag means that the Brompton will be returned to you at baggage claim (rather than at the jet-bridge). There are some airlines (Spirit) where I always baggage check the Brompton since the fee for baggage checking is LESS than the fee for a carry-on bag! Hope that helps and was not too confusing.

[@veffari]

THAT. Was informative, thank you sir!

[@payamgh5143]

Thank you very much!

[@AA-dk7pn]

Very knowledgeable! Thanks dude. I am wondering can we take Brompton as a cabin luggage? So that it could be fitted in aeroplane above seat compartment please?or it has to be in main luggage?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Yes. You can take Brompton on some airplanes as cabin luggage. Larger model airplanes have larger overhead compartments that can fit the Brompton. In the United States, here are some models that will fit the Brompton in the overhead compartments: Airbus 320 and 321 (on Delta but not necessarily on other airlines), Boeing 737-700, 737-800, 737-900, 757-200 (on Delta but not necessarily on other airlines). If you carry the Brompton onto an airplane and it does not fit in the overhead compartment, you can still ask the flight crew to let you store it in the coat closet. Good luck!

[@kathybarge4271]

allegiant has smaller size limits. do you think it will fit in overhead. what are dimensions?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Kathy Barge Folded dimensions are 23" x 22.2" x 10.6". I do not know the size of the overhead luggage bins on Allegiant but you can always gate check or bag check the Brompton. If you use my suggested protection method, it should not get damaged.

[@kathybarge4271]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 thanks for the detailed video. i did like your idea to ask if stewardess could place in coat closet! thx so much for info.

[@kathybarge4271]

is bag still available? and ikea bag?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Kathy Barge The Brompton T-bag has been discontinued. It has been replaced by the Brompton Borough Roll Top Bag (expensive!). The IKEA dimpa bag is $5 at IKEA.

[@kathybarge4271]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 thank you. enjoy the ride!

[@imanfrancisco]

Very helpful. Thanks!

[@jadur]

Shalom aleichem, Matt! I want to do the same with my Bike Friday Pakit. Will I be able to do that? When it's folded it slightly longer (30"x17.75"x12.25"). Thanks

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I think it should fit through the X-ray scanner. Face the 18” or 13” side in toward the scanner and it should work. Keep me posted.

[@jadur]

Thank you!

[@flpirate45]

Love this video. What size is the IKEA bag dimensions? Thank you. Very informative.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Dimensions are 25.5 x 25.5 x 8.75 inches

[@pentacleman1000]

This was informative, thanks. It was mostly about how to carry the bike on the plane. When you talked about having to “gate check” it on the jetway, you said your bike has always been returned to you in good shape. I don’t think I’ve ever had to check something at the door of the plane and pick it up later. Does that mean that it doesn’t end up in regular baggage claim, sliding down a ramp, circling around a conveyor belt, and being stolen by a criminal who can see what it is through the transparent bag? Are you advising us to never just check the bike at the ticket counter with other large bags (if any, I usually don’t have any), and always try to bring it on as carry-on luggage?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Hi Guy, One of my goals is to minimize the risk of damage/theft to my Brompton. If I were to check the bike at the ticket counter, then the airline would handle the Brompton and the risk of damage/theft would increase significantly. My bike is least likely to be damaged/stolen, if it is handled only by me. This requires me to carry the bike onto the plane. My success rate of carrying the Brompton onto the plane is about 90%. I only gate check the Brompton if I am unable to carry it onto the plane. With gate check, the bike may be returned to you on the jetway (and avoid baggage claim, which is great) or the bike may be returned to you at baggage claim where the risk of damage/theft increases (as you point out). So in short, my advice is to always try to carry the Brompton onto the plane if possible, in order to minimize the risk of damage/theft to the Brompton. Hope that helps. Matt

[@pentacleman1000]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 Hey thanks. 90% sounds good. I’m hoping to get my Brompton in a few weeks, where it will be interesting to see if I have the same kind of success rate as I hear other people having with regards to bringing it into retail stores and restaurants and planes, trains and busses etc.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

@@pentacleman1000 I hope you do meet with success. Some advice for airports/planes: There is no need to cover the bike when going thru TSA/security since they do not care. However, make sure you cover the bike when carrying it onto the plane. If they ask you what it is, just say it is a "personalized mobility device." Never use the word bike on a plane. They freak out and try to charge you a hefty bike fee. For other places like stores, restaurants, trains, etc. - there is no need to cover the bike. Have fun with the Brompton. It is awesome! It really is much more than a bike. It is a travel system.

[@pgong415]

A great video! Appreciate! Clever!

[@VideoMusicManiacPlace]

I've traveled just like this to NYC and Seattle with my Brompton. Zero problems and I love it. The TSA Agents try to guess what's in the bag when I walk up, at least one gets it right. Always fits thru the x-ray fine. What would you recommend people with the tool kit to do?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Glad to hear others are using this method and are having success! The TSA agent who is visually examining the x-ray machine monitor typically asks me if it is a bike and then comments that he has never seen anything like that before! For the tool kit, I would keep it in the Brompton and see if it will make it through security - my hunch is that it will make it through. Be sure to give yourself some extra time in case the toolkit does not make it through security. If so, just put the toolkit inside the T-bag (or another bag) and check the toolkit at the ticket counter. Please keep me posted as I am curious if you can make it through security with the toolkit. Good luck!

[@blt308]

Thank you!

[@ChritsianBucic]

Thank you for the advies

[@anthonyberlan4495]

Do they still do that now a days

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Do what?

[@vincerunnerretrobikevince4212]

Thanks!

[@marconizadoklordelodesouza5121]

Very good explanation. Shalom Aleichem 🔯🙏‼️

[@AA-dk7pn]

Is it free to take Brompton in bag in airports?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Biome Biome In the USA, the Brompton is a free carry-on or a normal piece of checked luggage.

[@pulpmysteryfan]

Is that Bucky Badger?

[@littlemountainclimbersphys7312]

Indeed!

[@slippyg]

Yeah...... in UK that would be wrecked in one trip. Re the tyres??!!?! Is that true? Best part of your vid that.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

More often than not, you can carry the bike onto the plane (in the USA) where it will not be damaged. Also, my Brompton has never been damaged either when gate checked or bag checked. Indeed, you do NOT need to deflate the tires when bringing the bike on a plane (either carry on or checked).

[@80milekyle70]

you can put the case on the rack

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

To which case are you referring?

[@ManuelGarcia-ck2he]

I am waiting for my bike to come. 😀

[@CaffeineJogger]

great stuff

[@thenebula7734]

Thank you

[@himaljeemi1786]

How much prices.....?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Carrying a Brompton onto a plane is free in the USA on most airlines.

[@FrancescaLD]

Legend 👍🏻

[@joelberman5981]

Badger?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Badger indeed! For grad school. You?

[@joelberman5981]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 No but my wife went there for undergraduate and graduate school. The School of Social Work is named for her. On Wisconsin!

[@laurentiussoepomo7747]

awesome

[@elmo8985]

Mr. shakespeare notes 😂

[@nicksim1602]

Beware of the front wheel skids!

[@leonbell5141]

You’re a natural presenter...try to work on your delivery tho...informative video 👍🏾

[@bryanmarcelino5667]

Yes!!!

[@massoud999]

Shkoyach Matt

[@CaffeineJogger]

great but why bother taking the seat off. no need

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I agree that with a standard Brompton seat, it is probably unnecessary to remove the seat. However, with a larger seat (e.g Brooks saddle), it is a very, very tight fit through the x-ray scanner. With the larger seat, the Brompton can fit through the scanner, but it often gets stuck. With the seat removed, it is still a tight fit but it tends not to get stuck.

[@26realmc]

This will not work for international travel unfortunately.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

Please explain why you think that it will not work for international travel.

[@26realmc]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 there is no way you’re getting that to the gate. It will need to be either checked in or fit carry on requirements.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

@@26realmc why/how is getting it to the gate any different than in the USA?

[@26realmc]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 domestic US travel vs international? Have you ever been out of your home country?

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

@@26realmc I have travelled many times internationally and I have never had a problem getting the Brompton to the gate and going through security. Please explain why you disagree.

[@SantoRedentor]

I've only met one person who successfully takes a Brompton on a plane every time... But she's the pilot so I guess it does not count.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

My success rate of getting the Brompton on the plane is about 90%.

[@SantoRedentor]

@@mattvanderhoek5516 yeah I did not mean it's not possible, just that I don't know people flying with them. I'd be scared to death every time to see what will happen... And I in case that they have to check it in I'd spend the whole flight anxious. The baggage crew have managed to badly damage two hard case Samsonite suitcases of mine, after all. I guess they play basketball with them.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

icl even if you check the Brompton there is nothing to worry about. The Brompton is very sturdy. I have checked the Brompton many times and it has never been damaged.

[@charles0414]

The quality of IKEA bag is very poor. Why not just go place like ebay to buy a carry bag that is designed for 16" folding bike for $20? You can actually put more foam in there to protect your expensive Brompton bike. I travel with my Brompton every month between Taiwan and San Francisco. I would never risk to check in my Brompton with the way you did in the video. You need to put some protection on the seatpost clamp.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

The IKEA bag is very inexpensive ($5), extremely light weight, and folds up very small. These are big advantages since you can stuff the IKEA bag into your T-bag (as you bike to/from the airport) where it does not take up much space or add much weight. I have used the IKEA bag many times and it is pretty durable. You could purchase a folding bike carry bag but it is unnecessary, more expensive, more bulky, and more weight. It just adds unnecessary bulk and weight to your Brompton as you bike to/from the airport. I have found my method of protection to be quite adequate. There really is no need for more foam/protection. The Brompton is pretty robust. I have flown many times with my Brompton and it has not been damaged. The seat post clamp has never been damaged. It would be difficult to damage the seat post clamp when it is closed tightly and securely.

[@lonestarlaurel]

The Dimpa appears to be rather transparent. The bike looks very high tech and important. I bet it receives a lot more respect because they can see it.

[@Lotusblume.8]

What bag do you use? I’m looking for all possibilities.

[@elvedrano]

Too much work, why not just get the hard travel case and check it in.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

This video describes a method for those people who want to bike to/from the airport with their Brompton, which is quite interesting and exciting. A hard case is too big and bulky to bike with to/from the airport. In addition, there really is no need for a hard case if you use the method in the video.

[@chitochu]

try it in Ryanair...😂

[@benjaminortiz387]

Maybe better to tell Brompton to stay home and behave till you get back home

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

That would not be much fun now would it?!

[@CosgroveNotts]

This is really sad

[@originalmindset5278]

Good luck doing all of that at the gate check in... We'll be leaving yo ass. Hahaha. A good tutorial on "How to miss your flight." Thanks for the effort, however.

[@mattvanderhoek5516]

I have gate checked it many times and never missed a flight. It takes about 3 mins.

[@brimstone33]

SIGH. I HATE to be the party pooper here, but what you are doing is wrong. I empathize with you, I really do, as a fellow folder traveler who has been lugging bikes onto planes for a long time, possibly since before you were born. First of all I know of NO airlines that still allow two full size carry-ons. Back in the day, maybe. But today you are allowed, at most, ONE carry-on which fits in the overhead compartment and one "personal item" which is supposed to fit completely under the seat in front of you. If you have flown nearly as often as you seem to have then you MUST know this as the flight attendants are required to state this as part of their safety briefing. That "T-bag" is twice as big as would fit under even the largest seat space. So you are putting it in the overhead compartment too, aren't you Matt? Thus depriving another traveler of the space they paid for. Perhaps even forcing THEM to have to check their legitimately sized carry-on. Until about 15 years ago most flights allowed two checked bags for free. Then things got really tight and they started charging more and more for checked bags, and more people started lugging on bigger and bigger carry-ons until we have the state of things today. This has prompted airlines to crack down on and reduce allowances for cabin luggage. The folded Brompton does not meet even the most liberal carry-on size allowance, much less the "standard" size of 22"x9"x14", even if it does fit in some overhead bins. It does so by taking up someone else's space. It REALLY irks me when I see some asshole carrying a huge bag on larger than allowed size. Yeah they often get away with it, just like people get away with speeding and cheating on their taxes but it is wrong and it hurts all of us. I wish there was a legitimate way to do what you're getting away with but I have looked at this for many years and there's just not. I did find your video well made and informative, though, thank you for sharing.

[@hbl142]

I have to agree. I've seen pictures of a Brompton in the overhead bin and it looks like it took up the whole bin, thus depriving your seatmate of that space. I can't stand selfishness of that sort. But, I also agree that it's a good video.

[@TheVTX88]

😂😂

[@theflyingbrompton4787]

....and why is he reading from a piece of paper? Strange!

[@Muddy283]

Why not?

[@Muddy283]

Precisely. What an utterly pointless comment by TFB. Not sure of your USA vs. Europe point in your previous post though. See kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4qqlGewhNaisNE . I'm thinking of trying Matt's recommendation in Step 3 (10:17 onwards) next time I travel with my Brompton by air. I'll try and remember to keep you guys posted if and when I do so.

[@FarahAbdul]

Thank you