Musical instruments on the plane: how not to have your guitar destroyed
Carrying musical instruments by air is awe-inspiring. This is understandable. Canadian musician Dave Carrol, who in 2008 [...]
Transport musical instruments in the airplane It is awe-inspiring. Understandably so. Canadian musician Dave Carrol, who in 2008 was flying from Halifax to Omaha in his $3,500 Taylor, knows this well. During the layover in Chicago he saw from his window baggage handlers throwing guitars on the runway. Upon arrival he discovered that his had a detached neck. United Airlines ignored his claims for months, so Carroll wrote "United Breaks Guitars," a protest song that made millions of views on YouTube and forced the airline industry to change the rules.
In this article:
Today, taking musical instruments by plane is easier, but it still takes preparation. Each airline has different policies, and what works with Lufthansa can be a problem with Ryanair.
The three options you have for musical instruments in aero
For transporting musical instruments by plane there are three ways: carry them in the cabin as carry-on luggage, buy an extra seat if too large, or put them in the cargo hold and cross your fingers. Violins, flutes, and ukuleles almost always fit smoothly in overhead cases or under the seat. Electric guitars in soft cases often pass, while acoustics are more difficult because of size.
Always check your company's specific rules on their website before leaving. Don't assume anything because policies change from carrier to carrier.
U.S. and Europe different rules on musical instruments in airplanes
Americans got it right. Since 2015 there has been a federal law requiring U.S. airlines to let you bring guitars and violins into the cabin at no extra cost, if there is room in the overhead compartments. For larger instruments you can buy an extra seat as long as the instrument weighs less than 75 kg. In the hold they must accept instruments up to 381 centimeters in total size and 75 kilograms in weight. The law has changed everything for American musicians, although in the end it always depends on the space available on the plane.
There is no single law in Europe, and each company does as it pleases. ITA Airways accepts musical instruments on airplanes up to 115 centimeters total and 8 kilograms as carry-on luggage. With these limits an electric guitar or violin will pass safely. For a cello you have to buy an extra seat by notifying at least 48 hours in advance.
Ryanair Is more rigid, as you can imagine. The instrument has to meet carry-on baggage limits, or you have to buy an extra ticket by writing "EXTRA" as your first name and "ITEM SEAT" as your last name. But even if you pay, if the flight attendant decides it's dangerous they make you check it in. With low-cost airlines there is no certainty until the very last.
British Airways allows instruments up to 30x120x38 centimeters in the cabin, but it all depends on the availability of space and the mood of the commander. Lufthansa is more flexible than other European airlines, and generally musicians have no problems, especially on intercontinental flights where planes are larger.
A trick that few people know: on EasyJet and other low cost, behind the back row of some planes there is a space between the seats and the wall where a guitar fits perfectly. In those rows the seats don't recline, so zero risk of someone crushing your instrument. If you have a choice of seats, always take the last row when traveling with an instrument.
The right case makes all the difference
If you have to put the instrument in the hold and it is worth something, you need the flight case type hard cases. They are the ones with aluminum edges and contoured padding that will protect even if baggage handlers play darts with your bass. At Amazon find Gator's specialty store or the valid SKB products 100 to 400 euros. They cost money, but a repair costs more.
Gator hard case for electric guitar
Series flight cases have metal reinforced corners, snap latches that don't open even under pressure, and internal padding that holds the instrument in place as if it were in a soft vise. You can see the difference with a regular hard case on the first trip with a stopover: your bass arrives whole while the guy next door's has a bent neck.
To bring it into the cabin better the padded soft cases. Templates such as those proposed by Cahaya o Mono have 10-15 millimeter sponges, comfortable shoulder straps, and pockets for accessories. They cost 40-120 euros and look much less threatening at check-in than a huge flight case. Staff look at you less askew when you arrive with a soft bag than with a war chest.
Le hybrid cases, like those Mono model M80 or Vertigo model, they cost more but are the best compromise. They have rigid reinforcements hidden in the foam, protect almost like a flight case but seem harmless. Perfect if you travel often.
the Vertigo model of Mono guitar case
If you end up in the hold always loosen the ropes. Pressure and temperature changes in the belly of the plane can crack the neck or unglued the soundboard. Turn everything down two to three tones before closing the case. Luthiers are divided on this advice, but better safe than sorry.
For acoustics bring a pit humidifier like those from D'Addario or Planet Waves, cost a few tens of euros and save wood from dry cabin air. Digital case hygrometers can be found at an affordable price and tell you if the humidity is going down. On certain flights to deserts or tropical areas the humidity can plummet or explode, and the wood suffers.
How to go through check-in without a fight
Attitude matters more than rules. The ground staff has tremendous power and can ruin your trip if they start off wrong. Even when you are right, arrive smiling and courteous. Don't demand anything as if it is a right, even if it technically is.
If you are asked, "Would you be willing to put it in the hold if there is no room?" always answer yes. In your head you may think "never in life," but you have to sound cooperative. It works, I guarantee it. They often miraculously find room in the staff lockers or let you use an empty seat.
Advice from someone who has been traveling with guitars for years: Find out about the model of the plane before you leave. A double-decker Airbus A380 has small, rigid hatboxes that are virtually impossible for a guitar. Standard Airbus A320s or Boeing 737s have more flexible hatboxes. If you know your flight is on an A380, be mentally prepared to buy the extra seat or bargain hard.
Embark first is gold. Some companies sell priority boarding for a few euros. For a musician with an instrument, it's worth every penny. Arrive early, get the best space in the overhead compartments, and you're relaxed. Those who board last find everything full and end up fighting with flight attendants as they block the aisle.
Another important thing: Do not carry too many bags. If the company allows one carry-on plus one personal item, the instrument counts as a carry-on. If you also arrive with a trolley and backpack they make a fuss. Better to travel light: instrument in cabin, everything else in hold.
If it goes wrong what do you do
Disaster happens and you find the broken instrument? Open the case right away at the airport in front of the airline staff. Take photos of everything: the damage, the case, the luggage tag. Fill out the PIR module (Property Irregularity Report), which is necessary for initiate a reimbursement file of this type, before you leave the airport, describe each scratch with manic precision. Without this piece of paper you can forget about any refund.
The problem is. in Europe the compensation for checked luggage is ridiculous, calculated by weight not value. A 3,000 euro Gibson Les Paul is worth as much to them as a 20 kg suitcase, so you get 100 euro if it's okay. That's why arguing is useless and better to prevent.
This is why many professionals make insurance specifically for musical instruments or technical equipment. Some companies specialize while travel insurance often provides it as extra coverage at a small additional cost. If your guitar is worth 2,000 euros or more, insurance is mandatory. Considering how much a decent instrument costs, it is the smartest expense you can make.
What you need to remember about musical instruments on the plane
Let's recap the essential points. Before you book your flight check the company's policies on musical instruments on airplanes on their website, don't trust what a friend told you. Each carrier has different rules and they change often.
Buy the right case: hard flight case if it goes in the hold and is worth something, soft padded if it goes in the cabin. Loosen the strings if you have to embark. Bring humidifiers for acoustics. Do priority boarding and get on first.
At check-in smile, cooperate and don't demand. Always respond that you are willing to check in the hold even if you would never do so. Arrive with only the instrument in the cabin, no extra trolleys and backpacks. If the worst happens open the case at the airport, photograph everything and fill out the PIR right away. Consider insurance if the instrument is worth more than 1,000 euros.
And remember: Dave Carroll turned his shattered guitar into three songs that United Airlines will never forget. "United Breaks Guitars" made nearly 30 million views and forced the industry to change. Sometimes even disasters serve a purpose.
