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Airlines are increasingly accustomed to handling bikes, but you can make their job easier, and your own trip less stressful, by packing your bike carefully. Special boxes and bags are available, and for the regular (ie Annual) traveller, these are the best option. Pack your clothing into poly bags and fit these in around your bike in the bag or box. If you are using a bag, especially, use old hubs, or 'sleeping axles' to space the front and rear dropouts so that if the bike is dropped, you will still be able to get the wheels in! If you don't have a box or bag, remove your pedals, and any odd fittings like lamp brackets. Turn the handlebars 90 degrees, and use a toe strap or similar to secure them to the top tube, along which you should first secure a length of pipe lagging. Secure further lagging in place along all the other frame members, pad the saddle and handlebars, and beg a 'shroud' from a local bike shop to cover the whole bike. Secure this in place and mark the whole 'FRAGILE'. This system is practically the only way to deal with tandems too.
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