I've searched through the forum, but haven't found much useful. I know what Air Canada says about carrying a bike - pre-booking, size, excess baggage etc, - but has anyone actually taken one across with them on the plane?

I'm flying across to Halifax next month - the final journey - on my own, the OH is following a month later, having finalised the packing of all our worldly.

Just interested to know if anyone's taken a bike with them and what their experience was.

I know a lot of people who have and as long as it is packed right they have never had a problem. My brother went from Calgary to North africa and had no problems at all.

Yes. It was no problem, except waiting for the oversize luggage in Vancouver to arrive (loads of skis and snowboards on the flight for the winter ski season).

I came out ahead as the accommodation scouting party less than two years ago and the check-in desk staff at Heathrow seemed a little nonplussed but the luggage allowances were in the midst of change. The old luggage allowances were more generous so I think I could bring two bags up to 32kg each and a piece of sports equipment (my mountain bike in a bike bag) as included allowance for a passenger with BA in cattle class on a transatlantic flight. Air Canada did not have the free carriage of the piece of sports equipment even then but would have been happy to do it for a nominal charge. There were no issues in at either end and the bike arrived in the same state as it had left.

I took one to the UK (and returned back to Can.) a few years back. I packed the semi-disassembled bike in a bike box (free from a bike shop). It was checked as regular luggage. No probs. either end.

yes,i have just brought a mountain bike over to sask.
wheels,pedals,seat and handle bars need to be broken down.i bought a bike bag and filled it up.
as posted above you can get the box the bikes come in from the bike shops.but make sure its secured.

please note
do take the back gear changer off and wrapped it up in a towel so it doesnt get damaged.
do let all air out of tyres
if you have hydraulic brakes,open the adjusters right open so the fluid can expand with the pressure.
get some insulation tape and tape the handlebars to the bike frame.
all this will save damage.
or if you want to,get your local bike shop to do it.
you will have to pay around £40 for it to be flown but its worth it