So can you bring a guitar on a plane?and how to make your guitar survive the flight?
Our guitars are not just, Musical instruments.
They make us Emotioned, entertained , give us good vibes and wonderful memories.
Just a couple of months ago, i bought a new lovely guitar, ( a Classical Guitar) , at the time of quarantine i trained well, learned and enjoyed.
When flying with my guitar i always take care of it, protect it and always in front of my sight.
If you want to carry your Guitar in carry on, it can bea carry on and will count toward your carry-on baggage if it fits in the overhead bin. If placed in the seat in front of you, it will be counted as your personal item.
If you decide to bring your guitar in checked baggage or it doesn’t fit in carry on , the same rules apply it should be within the airline checked baggage regulations, size and weight.
And this detailed guide i will show you how i bring my guitar in flights, and how to fly with a guitar the right way, in addition of some airlines rules and guideline on flying with guitars.
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How To Carry Guitar In Domestic Flight?
If your guitar is is too large to be carried as a carry on, or too large to fit under the seat, the airline is allowed to treat your guitar as checked baggage.
If you have to check in your guitar, talk to your airline to put your musical instrument in the appropriate conditions, some travelers may require the airline to put their musical instrument where pets are placed during the flight.
When flying with a guitar, Some airline may apply some charges if your guitar is a bit large, or if you have a big case, just make sure that you have a hard-sided travel case, However, placing an instrument in a hard case is not enough.
Use some additional clothes, or bubble wrap, Styrofoam chips (“popcorn”) or compressed soft paper to prevent your guitar from moving.
How Can I Bring My New Guitar On Plane?
Any airline will accept your guitar a a piece of baggage, if it is within its carry on or checked in baggage size requirements.
If your guitar accepted as carry on you can put it in the overhead bin, under the seat or buy him a seat itself.
Here what Delta says about where to put guitars on airplane:
Guitars and smaller musical instruments like violins or flutes will be accepted as your free carry-on bag item on Delta and Delta Connection flights. Your carry-on must easily fit in the overhead bin or other approved storage locations, in the cabin, based on available space at the time of boarding. Please note, if overhead bin space is limited or if you prefer, you may check your instrument at the gate.
Can A Guitar Fit In The Overhead Bin?
Yes, your guitar will fit in the overhead bin just like your normal carry on, if your guitar size is within the airline carry on size limits.
Most airlines allow one carry on bag and one personal item, and your guitar will be counted one of them, some make sure to minimize your carry on, so you will be able to take your guitar onboard.
If i travel with my wife i always put some of my items(clothes, toiletries etc) in her carry on luggage, and if there is any unnecessary items we don’t in our carry on, we place them in our checked baggage,that way we have more space and my musical instrument can be transported on board.
There is also a technique that most airlines allows which is luggage pooling; if you find that your carry on baggage is large or you have many bags that you have to pay for, you can share it with your partner, friend or a family member if they have less baggage.
other ways if you find that you will have to check in your guitar, make sure that you pack your guitar properly , put it in a solid case and make sure you don’t put any other item inside the case, and talk to the airline staff to handle it nicely.
How Much To Check A Guitar On Plane?
Your guitar will be subject for the airline baggage fees, however you can transport you guitar free of charge if its within the airline luggage allowance.
other ways the airline standard baggage fees will apply.
Here is an overview about checked baggage charges for major US airlines checked baggage charges.
American Airlines /Delta Airlines /United Airlines on Domestic checked baggage fees: $30 for first checked bag, $40 for the second, $150 for the third.
Can You Take A Guitar On A Plane Without A Case?
According to ecfr any music instrument carried on board must be contained in a case or covered to avoid injury to other passengers.
Your guitar can be stowed safely in the baggage compartment or under the seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage established by the FAA to avoid any damage of your guitar or cause inconvenience or other passengers.
- What Is The Best Travel Guitar Case? (A Buyers Guide)
- Can you bring sports equipment on a plane?
- Are luggage Organizers worth it? (Best Travel luggage organizers )
Airlines That Allows Guitar As Carry On
Airlines In The United States
| Airlines | Allow guitar as carry on | Carry on dimensions | Charges |
| Delta Airlines | Allowed | Domestic: 22 x 14 x 9 in International: 22 x 14 x 9 in | Free* |
| American Airlines | Allowed | Domestic: 22 in x 14 in x 9 in International: 22 x 14 x 9 in | Free* |
| Southwest Airlines | Allowed | Domestic: 10 x 16 x 24 in International:10 x 16 x 24 in | Free |
| Air Canada | Allowed | Domestic: 9 x 15.5 x 21.5 in International:9 x 15.5 x 21.5 in | Free |
| United Airlines | Allowed | Domestic:22 x 14 x 9 in International:22 x 14 x 9 in | Free* |
| Spirit Airlines | Allowed | Domestic:18 x 14 x 8 in International: 18 x 14 x 8 in | From $26 |
* Some airlines do not allow guests with basic economy class to have carry on luggage, but they still entitled to have some small items like a small purse diaper bag or other essential items.
Airlines In Europe
| Airlines | Allow guitar as carry on | Carry on dimensions | Charges |
| Air France KLM | Allowed | Up to 300 cm/Max 32kg | Fee Applicable |
| Lufthansa | Allowed | 155 cm x 42 cm x 25 cm (stood in cabin) 110 cm x 42 cm x 50 cm (strapped to the seat) | Within EU (€200) International ($300) |
| British Airways | Allowed | 80 x 45 x 25cm – Cannot exceed 75kg (for booked seats) | Fee Applicable |
| Virgin Atlantic | Allowed | Cannot exceed 23kg | Fee Applicable |
| Ryanair | Allowed | 55cm x 40cm x 20cm | Fee Applicable |
| EasyJet | Allowed | Up to 32kg | Fee Applicable |
| FlyBe | Allowed | Up to 20kg | £30/€40 Minimum |
| Emirates | Allowed | 22 x 15 x 8 inches | Fee applicable |
Suggested:
How Do You Pack A Guitar In Checked Luggage?
To pack your Guitar, keep it protect from damaged here is a video from
Jesse Fildes, which i watched and helped me a lot on how i protect my Guitar when for my flight.
Final Thougts
Traveling with your guitar on a pane should be planned and managed carefully,
Your Guitar maybe is one of the most valuable and important tools of your musical career.
Before booking with any airline make sure to contact the airline, and confirm that you are traveling with your guitar.
Ask them about the size requirement and if they apply any other rules on traveling with musical instrument.
Keep in mind that plane are different in the capacity or the size of the overhead bin, and sometimes the airline agent will not be able to specify the airplane size you will traveling with.
Useful links: