I know a lot of riders who want to leave where they are for another country or just want to take a few month’s trip to another country, but don’t know if they can take their motorcycle by plane to the country they are going to.
So, can I bring my motorcycle on an airplane? Yes, it is possible as some airplanes companies definitely agree to do that but bear in mind that it is a bit complicated process and beyond that, it costs a lot of money to bring your motorcycle by the plane, so it will not suit everyone.
To not deceive you, taking a motorcycle on an airplane is not that simple. There are so many different factors and things you will need to do and you must abide by the law of the state. You will need to reduce the weight of the motorcycle by dismantling some sections while each airplane even has its own parcel restriction; therefore, it has lots of various factors and many things involved.
If you are confused and do not know what to do, do not worry. Just make sure you read everything in this guide because, in this guide, I will show you all the things you need to know about taking your motorcycle on a plane and what steps you need to take.
How can I take a motorcycle with me on a plane?
It is important to let you know that taking a motorcycle on an airplane is not a simple thing; it costs a lot of money and requires a lot of time and effort.
Have a good reason for taking your motorcycle through a plane
First of all, you need to understand if you really need and if it’s necessary to take your motorcycle along with you. The only reason I would recommend for taking your motorcycle along is if you are planning to stay for a couple of months or if you are moving to other countries. I would not recommend taking your motorcycle along if you plan to go for a couple of week’s trip.
Again, take into account the money and time you will need to give in for the motorcycle transfer by plane and know that it’s a very difficult process. So, if you are ready to invest the time but don’t have the money, I don’t recommend you do it.
Find an airplane company that allow boarding of motorcycle
Lots of airlines in the world do boarding of motorcycles, while some take your motorcycle along with you, others bring it on a separate plane where you have to collect it separately at the airport. For prices, I can’t say precisely the amount they charge, and that is something you will need to find out yourself.
Know the airline requirements
Each airline has its own requirements and things they require you to do before they can transfer your motorcycle, and it can be things such as weight. Most airlines require that your motorcycle must weigh up to 100 pounds and you also need to download some electronic parts.
In addition, it is important to note that beyond the requirements of airlines, each country also has its own requirements when it comes to transporting motorcycles, so it is important to check what your country’s requirements are.
Take your motorcycle out of the airport
After uploading your motorcycle to the airline company, expect it to get to the airport in a few days or weeks, depending on the company.
In most cases, those are the simple steps for transporting your motorcycle through a plane, but there are many other things I am sure your airline company and state will require from you. As I said, it is not an easy process, so I recommend you contact a professional air transport company that will help you a lot and do all the dirty work for you.
How much money does it cost to transport a motorcycle by plane?
A lot of different things are involved and I can’t really say how much the transporting fee will cost but at least between $200 to $2,000 on average as shown below. The price also varies among airline companies due to various factors.
| Distance | Price |
| Below 500 miles | $200–$300 |
| 500 to 1000 miles | $500 |
| 1000 miles | $1,000 |
| Above 1000 miles | $1,000 to $2,000 |
- Distance – The more distance the airplane has to travel to deliver the motorcycle, the higher the cost. For short flights, it will cost you about $200 to $300, while for longer flights closer to 1000 miles, it will cost you at least $600. For a flight range of over 1000 miles, you will have to pay between $800 to $1,200.
- Speed - If you need your motorcycle in the shortest possible time, you will have to pay at least a few hundred dollars more for express delivery, which I personally do not recommend. Wait for the normal time instead, as it is also not easy for airlines to expedite the delivery. That is even why they charge a higher amount of money for expedite delivery.
- Commissions and transporting pay – Commissions and transporting pay is also another part of the process and it varies between the airlines and the country you want to transfer the motorcycle to. Again, you have to check with the airline, but in most cases, the commissions and transporting cost is usually between $100 to $300.
- Weight and size – The bigger and heavier the motorcycle, the more its shipping cost. The reason for this is that the heavier and larger the motorcycle, the more weight, and space it takes on the airplane, so it significantly increases the price.
- Discounts – If you are transporting 2 motorcycles or more on one plane, some airlines would be happy to give you a discount of $25 to $65 on each motorcycle. If you also have a club at an airline, you will also be given another discount.
All these combine to a large amount of money. So, you should consider that and, first, you should be able to afford the money to transport a motorcycle by plane. In addition, I do not recommend transporting by an airplane company because your motorcycle is unprotected and they use very cheap and poor equipment, so be careful not to fall into an unreliable company.
Can I take my riding gear with me on the plane?
Yes, without a doubt, you can take all your riding gear with you on the plane. There was once a case that someone told me he couldn’t take his riding gear with him. There is no problem taking your riding gear with you because riding gear is nothing less than clothing, including the helmet, so they will tell you nothing about it. Among this is the helmet, gauntlet gloves and more; you can even carry the equipment through a bag in the plane.
In addition, you need to make sure the weight of the riding gear follows the requirement of the aircraft company because there is always a weight limitation for loads, so it is important to make sure that the equipment is not too heavy.
It is also important that you know how to pack your safety gear inside the suitcase so that you can put it on the plane without any problem. I even recommend that you wear the gloves or the riding jacket with you on the plane to avoid putting too many things in the suitcase in order to save some weight.
Interested in checking out the full guide on how to pack your motorcycle equipment in the suitcase? I highly recommend you read this guide click here to view
Transporting my motorcycle by Ship or airplane, which one is better?
The best method today for moving a motorcycle from a country to another is just by plane or ship. Which is the cheapest and the best? What are the pros and cons of each? Read on to find out. But before I proceed, it is important to note that no one is better than the other; each has its pros and cons.
Transporting motorcycle by ship, pros & cons & who is it recommended for?
Transporting a motorcycle through a ship can be a much better way for lots of people because it is cheaper than sending a motorcycle on an airplane and it is also more convenient for most people to do it. However, the biggest problem with having a motorcycle transport through a ship is that it takes a long time. The minimum time is at least a couple of weeks and even months which a plane can do in a few days, so you have to take that into account.
Pros of transporting by ship
- Cheaper (in most cases) – Transporting a motorcycle by ship is super cheap compared to a plane that is very expensive. Again, this is because transporting by plane is faster, but with that, if you are really ready to wait for the time, then be sure that transporting by ship is very cheap and the best for you while the price also varies by weight and size of the motorcycle. It is important to note that there are some instances at the seaport where they charge you expensive taxes which can significantly increase the price, but you will be surprised that even after the port taxes, it is still cheaper to send the motorcycle by ship rather than plane.
- You will be updated with your motorcycle packaging – The TSA is responsible for wrapping your motorcycle and will make sure that your motorcycle is packed in a good way without any problems. You can also ensure that the motorcycle is well wrapped while making sure you get the motorcycle exactly how it is packed.
- It’s more convenient – Taking the motorcycle from an airplane can be very annoying and uncomfortable because it’s always in between suitcases where you have to wait at the airport to get your motorcycle. But at the seaport, it is not a problem; you can easily take it.
Cons of transporting by ship
- It takes longer – Unfortunately, it takes a long time for the motorcycle to arrive at its destination via a ship which can be a couple of weeks and even months, it all depends on the distance. So, if you know you need your motorcycle very fast, it is better to use a plane that can take a few days.
- Risk of motorcycle theft – This may sound strange, but transporting by ship is far more dangerous than by plane. There is a risk that your motorcycle will get stolen or get hit because a ship is not stable compared to a plane that will keep the motorcycle from being vulnerable.
Transporting motorcycle by plane, pros & cons & who is it recommended for?
Pros of transporting by plane
- Peace of mind – In most cases, the best option is to be in the same plane with your motorcycle, which makes it very easier because transporting the motorcycle by ship is very poor and you won’t know who will touch or damage it, so you’ll have peace of mind and rest assured that your motorcycle is in good hands with you.
- Less risk of damage – When transporting a motorcycle with you by plane, it is much simpler to handle and check your motorcycle at stops of each country compared to transporting by ship, which contains trucks that can hurt your motorcycle, especially if your motorcycle is not well wrapped.
- Faster – Transporting motorcycles is a faster process that can take from a few days to two weeks, which is very convenient.
Cons of transporting by plane
- Uncomfortable – As I said, it’s not so convenient to take the motorcycle with you on the plane because you also have to take your suitcases and bags with you, which is very difficult. So, sometimes, the best option is to mount your motorcycle on a separate plane, especially when you don’t want to take the motorcycle and the bags together.
- Fees – The most annoying thing is the commissions that can reach up to $200 if your motorcycle exceeds the required weight and altitude, so it’s important that you check it out before choosing to take your motorcycle on a plane.
- More expensive – As said previously, it’s very expensive to get on a plane, especially if the distance is very far, so it’s important to be aware of your budget and act accordingly.
In general, I would personally recommend transporting by airplane if you need the motorcycle in a hurry and you are willing to pay the necessary money while I would recommend transporting by ship if you want to save money and if you can wait the long time it will take for your motorcycle to arrive.
The best airlines companies for transporting motorcycles
There are lots of different airline companies that I am sure will be happy to offer you their service and transport your motorcycle. While each has its pros and cons, so it is your job to do the work. But I chose to show you these 5 airline companies that I think are the best. You can also find yours. I chose these 5 to be the best based on tons of reviews and positive recommendations I heard about them.
| 1. A1autotransport |
| 2. Air Canada |
| 3. Motorcycle express |
| 4. Forward air |
| 5. American Airlines |
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Thanks for reading, until the next post.