On this page we attempt to make available the experience of individual bicycle tourists who have travelled with TACA (you can share your experiences here).
Baggage Rule Change on Taca Airline
I just found out that Taca Airline, which flies to many major destinations in the Western Hemisphere, changed its baggage rules in December. The new rules make it easier to fly a bike for free.The new rules state that a person flying economy class can take two pieces of luggage each weighing up to 50 pounds and having
dimensions that add up to less than 62 inches. However, one may take a boxed bicycle as one of those pieces of luggage without paying extra charges. (If one has two pieces of luggage plus the bike, there is a $100 charge.)
I just flew via Taca (to get over the Darien Gap) and my bike was both oversize and overweight. I was not charged anything and got no hassle. The luggage handlers took fairly good care of the bike-- better than I usually get in the US. I bought a large duffle bag ($7, I think) and put three of my panniers in it and one in the bike box.
This change is interesting because up until now many airlines flights originating elsewhere than the US had very restrictive baggage allowance (usually about 42 pounds total) and high overweight charges. Airlines tend to be copycats. If one line starts a policy the others usually copy it quickly. So flying with a bike elsewhere than the US might have just gotten significantly cheaper.
Peter
Peter St. James, January 18, 2006