As it turns out, I won't be paying freight on my bike next week. Delta rocks this shit for free
Non-motorized touring or racing bicycles with single seats are accepted as checked baggage, with certain limits.
Any bicycle in a box with overall dimensions not exceeding 62" or 157.5cm (length + height + width) and checked in lieu of one bag is accepted. Bicycles exceeding 62" are subject to standard oversize baggage charges.
Your bike must be packaged in a cardboard or canvas container in one of the following ways:
Handlebars fixed sideways and pedals removed
Handlebars and pedals encased in plastic, Styrofoam, or other similar material
Some connection carriers and aircraft may not accept bicycles as checked baggage, and may have different limits.
I thought Jet Blue's 50 dollar per trip policy was pretty generous, but this rocks. My crate comes in at 45" at the longest point. HOOWAH!