Motorcycles can be flown to and from the following cities:
• London (LHR) • Manchester • Milan
• Paris
• Rome • Venice • Zurich
• Calgary
• Montréal
• Toronto
• Vancouver • Dublin • Glasgow
• Athens • Edinburg • Brussels • Frankfurt • Casablanca • Geneva
Available from spring to fall, the program provides preferential rates to Air Canada passengers wishing to book air transport for motorcycles, and competive rates to passengers travelling on other airlines.
Rates are one way and vary depending on the origin and destination. Fuel and security surcharges, navigation tax and a fee for shipping an item categorized as a dangerous good are included in the price. Local charges, GST (in Canada) and fees paid to a dangerous goods consultant for preparation of paperwork may apply.
USEFUL INFORMATION
Our Customer Service agents can provide information on the requirements for preparing your motorcycle for air transport, but these tips can get you started.
• Motorcycles are classified as dangerous goods in air transport, as are all vehicles with a combustion engine. You may need to enlist the help of a dangerous goods consultant to prepare your motorcycle for transport. ( This costs about $100 )
• Arrangements with a local broker may be required at destination.
• We can book your motorcycle on your Air Canada flight, or on the same day as your flight on another airline. However, it is a good idea to ship it the day before your travel date. This will make your travel day easier, and minimize delays at destination.*
• Once you know your date of departure, you can book your bike for transport as early as 30 days prior, and no less than two weeks prior to departure. You can bring the bike to our facilities up to 24 hours in advance, and no less than 6 hours prior to departure time.
cargo.customerservice@aircanada.ca
Motorcyclists planning trips which include flying their bike need to plan well in advance.
Waiting until spring for promotional rates just makes us look at alternatives ie trucking my bike to BC.
Please publish your program early in the year so we can plan
Uncertainty of cost and availability just diminishes the appeal.
I’ve flown my bike before with AC and will likely again but I’m planning now as are others in the community. My son and I were pleased with the service
We need rates with ticket purchase to anchor these trips on. We don’t necessarily need to book really early ..but rather to know the rates and then like 90 day forward booking window
For instance $800 flat rate to Vancouver plus ticket purchase makes all sorts of sense to riders where the standard Air Cargo rates do not.
Waiting on unknown promotional rates in May makes planning a June trip hard.
It makes planning a trip to Europe on such short time frame almost impossible. Fixed rates to Europe around $1700 round trip competes well with rental rates …much above that it’s more practical to rent a bike there,
Your Canadian service appeals to riders both Canadian and from the US from the East going to the west coast for trips to Alaska or south along the coast of California
It appeals to US and Canadian riders from the west wanting to tour in the east.
If it gets much above that then trucking or riding is more attractive,
But we need rates early
On Dec/4/Tue/2018, at 12/4/9:45 PM, Air Canada Cargo - Customer Service <cargo.customerservice@aircanada.ca> wrote:
Hello,
Your point has been noted, customer relations has been added.
Regards,
Mohamed
Customer Service Agent – Cargo Call Centre
Agent du service clientèle – Centre téléphonique d’Air Canada Cargo
cargo.customerservice@aircanada.ca
If I had a road legal bike to fly overFor a weeks rental that's better than flyiing your bike but for 2 weeks or longer I think flying makes more sense - especially as you can leave from another destination ....ie fly the bike to Edinburg and return from Germany or even Athens now.
Air Canada flies there with bikes. Be cautious with car or motorcycle rentals there. The whole UK is scammy with added charges etc. Due diligence very needed.
Two weeks will cost you north of $2200 and that's winter rates,
https://www.westsussexmotorcyclehir...t-west-sussex-motorcycle-hire-motorbike-hire/
https://www.saltiremotorcycles.com/motorbike-rental-edinburgh/motorbike-rental-edinburgh-options/
Note they have to stay in the UK so you can't cross to Europe or Scandanavia. Having your own ride should be both cheaper and more enjoyable but I'd go for at least 3 weeks.
https://advrider.com/f/threads/fly-your-bike-2018-air-canada-program.1283632/
Air Canada contacts
https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/en/shipping/shipping-solutions/ac-dgr/motorcycle.html
I spoke to a/c and you have to wait for the promotion to hit in the spring which makes planninig awkward,
https://www.aircanada.com/cargo/shared/en/documents/shipping/FlyYourBike_brochure_en.pdf
For a weeks rental that's better than flyiing your bike but for 2 weeks or longer I think flying makes more sense - especially as you can leave from another destination ....ie fly the bike to Edinburg and return from Germany or even Athens now.
Other things to consider.
Pros for renting:
- Try another bike for a while. It's like an extended test ride
- Most rentals have break-down service so if your bike fails, they will truck you out another rental, often within the same day
- No need to go out in search of insurance, it's all built into the price
- Way more convenient, less hassle.
Pros for shipping your own bike:
- Fixed cost regardless of time. No mileage restriction. Might be cheaper than rental after the 2-3 week mark
- You get to ride a bike that's already set up for you in terms of comfort (seat, shield, GPS, luggage)
- Crossing borders might be easier if you own your bike
Though honestly I would rent another GS despite owning one. My favourite bike and love touring on it, it does it perfectly for me. I could see maybe going with a multistrada as the only other option or an RT.
I'm very unlikely to do it but if I were doing UK/Euro I'd certainly want my bike to be able to roam different countries.
The primary appeal of renting for me is to try out different bikes. Naked bikes, full baggers, sportbikes, etc. Was in SoCal for awhile and rented a sportbike for a few days, then went back to the agency and took out a hyper-sport-tourer the next day. That was a lot of fun!
Yeah, the UK->Mainland Europe crossing has always been dicey with rental vehicles. Some companies straight out don't allow it, others will charge you an arm-and-a-leg surcharge.
It's only going to get more complicated Post-Brexit.