How to pack your bike for flying

I don't profess to know all about packing a bike but I've done this many, many times.
So although this bike has a Rohloff its pretty much the same except.

-before buying the ticket,  thoroughly understand the luggage policy. Sometimes its a single piece at 25kg, sometimes a bicycle has a charge,  regardless.
Some have a size restriction that is impossible to achieve.
To get the proper weight, weigh yourself and bicycle. Then weigh yourself. Subtract one from the other.

-a bike box usually weighs 3kg. Any more than that,  start trimming it

-boxes at airport arent always reliable, plus they're expensive

-if packing at the airport a box can be flattened then folded in 3. Can strap on the back of the bike. I've also placed one into the other and ridden through traffic.

– if your bag is checked through to your destination, have at least, a 90min layover between fights. This will allow the bike to get on the next flight.

-if you do have to recheck-in allow 6 hours between fights. If it's an airport allow even more time.

-be really early.  The first people get checkin staff when they're still in a good mood. Be nice

– place your bike vertical on baggage trolleys, not sideways.

– have a copy of the bicycle policy just in case.

– if you remove any screws or bolts,  tighten them back into the hole. 

– allow at least 2 hours to pack the bike

-use cut up tyre tube strips to tie things together. About  400mm long is good. Cable ties are also good but need a tool to cut them.

-use old plastic drink bottles with the caps as padding in between components. Not bubblewrap. Styrofoam is also good

– for the empty front fork, use a fork spacer or a piece of plastic pipe. Using a plastic pipe allows you to tighten the skewer bolt in there.
Put padding under the fork area to stop it punching a hole through the box

-tie a large plastic cover over the front wheel axle. This will stop the axle punching through the box. The bottom of a plastic bottle is good.

-Cover the derailleur with an old plastic bottle. Oval detergent ones work best.  Or remove the derailleur

– if you remove the handlebar replace it with a spacer or cardboard. This will stop the fork from dropping out. If you do remove the fork secure the steerer bearings with a rubber strap.

-Have the chain on the largest chainring sprocket. This will prevent teeth damage from a side hit

– Empty panniers fit good down the side.

– place your helmet in the front of the box as padding

-Remove any barcodes from the box

-attach a knife or scissors to the lid of the box and mark the spot with a paintpen

– deflate tyres to half. Bring a pump.

– tie a rope to the front and another at the rear of the bike and have them sticking out by the box handles. Tie large knots on them. This will allow you and handlers easy lifting and the bike will never drop through the box.

-shake the packed bike.  Any noise is potential damage. While you're in the airplane seat, your bike is rattling in the luggage hold.

– once properly packed and weighed, shrink wrap the box. Important if you have layovers and its raining.  Can easily buy a roll for a fraction of the price than at the airport.

– try and figure out what items won't be returning. Especially after a long tour. Tyres, chain and shoes often don't come back These weigh a lot.

Doing all this may seem over the top and bewildering. but you'll become fluent with your bike.  Otherwise you'll have to pay someone to pack, and then reassemble it on the other end.
And they never pack it a good as you will.