Hi Uwe,

I tried to contact the air Canada guy in Frankfurt without any success.
Let me know if you get a reply please.

Cheers
Werner

Update?
 

Hi,
Is there any update of the Europe - Canada story?
Sean

It sounds like West Air have picked up the mantle - details here:

https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hu...-2023-a-104070

Latest info is now posted on Westjets site: BIKE'Air

Basics for 2023 so far:
April to October, and Canada / USA / Europe.



Westjet thread here.

Air freighting general...
 

Hi y'all

I'm looking to hear from people who have successfully air-freighted a bike. From anywhere to anywhere... (personally I'm hoping to go from Heathrow to Toronto but general experience from/to anywhere is useful). How does the process actually work? What I think I know is this:

1. Pay a shipping agent at the departure point to crate the bike and ship it, including luggage, helmet and jacket all in one crate. They will empty the fuel tank and disconnect the battery. Do not include any aerosols in the luggage. The price will vary depending on the size of the crate. Taking off the handlebars, screen and front wheel can save money, but you have to be able to put thyem back on by yourself at the destination.
2. Maybe include an empty petrol can in the crate - you might need it at the destination airport. Thoughts on this?
3. Agree an arrival date for the crate (departure date is irrelevant, arrival date is crucial).
4. Get some insurance organised for riding the bike legally in the destination country. Usually possible online? Probably not possible at the airport?
5. Fly yourself to the destination. Take your ownership documents with you for the bike.
6. Your shipping agent will give you some documents (a Weigh bill?) for you to show to customs.
7. Go to the customs office at the detination ariport. Typically located in the passenger terminal somewhere? Present all documents. Get customs clearance for the crate and a Temporary Import License for the bike.
8. Pay a fee to customs for the Temp Import License? Any ideas on this?
9. Once approved, take the customs clearance documents to the cargo terminal. Ask the customs office where to go? Taxi? Walk? Bus?
10. Present paperwork at the cargo terminal and wait for them to bring your crate to the carpark/yard.
11. Pay any fees for storage if the crate has been there for a day or more? Any ideas on this?
12. Borrow some tools to get the bike out of the crate? Your own tools will be inside the crate! Will the cargo depot guys generally help with this? What's everyone's experience?
13. Leave the crate behind? Will the cargo depot guys clear it away? Will they charge a fee for disposal?
14. Connect the battery, fit the handlebars/screen etc and start the bike. The tank will have been pumped dry but there may be enough fuel still in the system to get you to the nearest gas station.....?

Does this sum up the process? Have I missed any steps? There's no better way to learn than from someone else's experience!!!

Jon:

See the reply I posted to your identical questions at this link: click here.

Michael

Air freight Air Transat Toronto to Paris August 2023
 

I shipped my bike from Toronto to Paris this week using Motorcycle Express and Air Transat
Air Transat requirements are clean bike less than gallon of fuel disconnected battery and absolutely nothing with/ on motorcycle other than empty unlocked panniers
Drop off in Toronto was straightforward and pick up in Paris took around 5 hours from when plane landed (I was on same flight) to riding away
I did my own customs clearance in Paris (with much assistance from an extremely generous and helpful local as I couldn’t find any fluent English language speakers)

Total cost was $1400 US air freight and €145 clearance fees in Paris

I can highly recommend Motorcycle Express and owner Carrie Drazec
Carrie provided a very detailed and up to date information package and was always available to provide quick response to my questions
I gained the impression that Carrie runs a very professional service and has a real passion for her business and ensuring her customers experience the best possible outcomes

I have used sea freight to ship a motorcycle a number of times but this was my first experience with air freight
I have experienced the delays and uncertainty with sea freight and the complex and costly administrative processes when dealing with freight through sea ports

The whole process from initial contact with Carrie to riding away in Paris was well organised seamless and very straightforward
I believe the cost of this shipment was excellent value and the convenience factor knowing your motorcycle will be arriving at a specific time/date is worth more than the extra $s you may pay above a similar sea freight shipment (based on pre- covid sea freight cost - which have increased significantly)

shipping our bike
 

Hi,

I shipped my bike last year from Montreal to Paris using Air Transat and it was also Carrie Drazek who took care of everything.
I just want to clarify one thing : I was allowed to leave my helmet and my gloves in the topbox after Carrie negotiated this with Air Transat.
It might help to know that because a helmet takes up a lot of space in a suitcase.:D
Total cost was 1200€ (ich) air freight.
I also highly recommend Motorcycle Express and, of course, Carrie Drazek ! She was always available and all my questions always had a quick response from her.

2024 Fly & Ride
 

My wife & I have been eagerly anticipating the West Jet / Air Canada schedule for 2024.

Our rough plan is to fly & ride to Ireland or the U.K. before circling the rest of Europe. Returning from to the U.S. from Frankfort or similar. (Is it even possible to return from a different location?)

I see that they have released some info. As we are in New England, Montreal and Toronto are the only real options and they are quite limited at this time. Looks like Toronto to Gatwick is our best option right now.

I assume more destinations will become available in the coming months. Can anyone confirm that? It's pretty reasonable right now as they offer a discount if a deposit is made before the end of January. I am weighing whether to be patient or pull the trigger now.

https://www.youtube.com/@2Upon2Wheels

I wouldn't be too optimistic about new routes being added. This is still new for WestJet, and while their initial plan was for more routes, they scaled back quickly.
Toronto to Gatwick is easy and good. I personally wouldn't waste sleep time over it, just get it done. Return the same way to keep things easy - you will know who and where everything is instead of figuring it out again in a new location, with a potential language issue too.
KISS :)