How to fly with your Brompton on Ryanair

Ryanair flies to over 240 airports across Europe and North Africa, making it the most likely budget carrier a Brompton rider will encounter. Their bike policy is the strictest and most expensive of the major European budget airlines — but it works if you plan carefully. Bicycles travel as large sports equipment in the hold at €60 per flight if booked at ticket purchase, rising to €75 if added later or at the airport. The weight limit is 30kg — stricter than most carriers. Ryanair's own website states that bicycles are "inherently unsuitable for carriage by airlines operating fast turnarounds" — rare corporate candour that tells you everything about how carefully to pack.