The ones of you who happen to be musicians must know how frustrating it is to be asked to pay an insane sum of money just to carry your favorite instrument onboard every time you are taking a trip. Especially when your flight provider is one of the ‘cheap’ airlines (WizzAir, EasyJet, RyanAir etc) matters get the worse. Such companies use the so-called lure-and-rip-off tactics in order to make their profits: effectively meaning that they offer minimum-cost tickets so to entice passengers onboard their flights and subsequently find creative ways to cheat them into buying trivial additional services or ‘fining’ them for not abiding by their ill-expounded policies.
Such was the case on one of my recent RyanAir flights when I got forced to pay a €50 fee if I didn’t want to toss my guitar into the rubbish bin before the gate. It was a fairly small classical guitar, and my idea was to take it on hand for my cabin luggage. I had a suspicion I might not be allowed to do so due to the instrument slightly exceeding the size limit in one of its dimensions. That’s why I had an alternative plan, too. In case I met objections for taking it on hand, I was planning to tie it on my checked-in luggage with a pair of elastic ropes I had with me (which would technically make it one piece of luggage exceeding limits in neither size nor weight), assuming responsibility for damage myself. But things didn’t turn out well. What I got informed of upon standing in front of the check-in counter was that I simply
Since I hadn’t prepaid for it, the fee applying was €50. Strangely, they didn’t have to give me any answer for how much it would have cost otherwise: if I had prepaid for it. Nor did they have any answer for whether I would still need to pay if it was a flute instead of a guitar or by what criteria and logic is a musical instrument defined as ‘charged’.
Simple Ways To Take Your Guitar On A Plane: 10 Steps
On my last RyanAir flight now, I tried to be prudent beforehand by attempting to prebook my instrument. However, to my bewilderment, I didn’t manage to find any such option on my ‘manage booking’ of the company’s app and website. Nor did I anywhere find any substantial source of information regarding the matter. It seemed like I would need to pay yet another €50 fee for carrying a guitar which cost new €80. But the deceived is perfectly justified to deceive the deceiver. So I rather decided to give it a try to smuggle the guitar onboard.
It was fairly easy. Proceeding to the check-in counter, I just shouldered the guitar upside-down. A black jacket in combination with the black guitar-case was of great aid, too. I took good care to stand close between other passengers and not turn my back towards the counters along the winding queue. And I walked away from the counter nimbly after I completed the check-in and gave a big smile to the staff. The exact same thing went for the boarding gate. The trickiest part was right before entering the plane. That was where I had – the previous time – delivered the instrument together with the payment receipt to the loading staff. They were then very quick to come to me, after seeing me carrying the guitar, as soon as I stepped foot outside of the shuttle.
The shuttle stops right in front of the plane. Only the middle door opens so to make it easier for the bunch of staff waiting in front of it to control that no one takes up in the cabin any item not supposed to go there, like a guitar let’s say. The instrument worn on my back neck-down still, I take good position inside the bus so to exit it following about half the passengers and preceeding the other half. I take care for having a group of them walking in close distance behind me and I make straight for the airstair. I face sideways towards the middle of the plane and the staff while going up. Inside the fuselage – though I doubt the stewardesses care – I am fast to place the guitar in the luggage compartment, behind other passengers’ bags. That’s pretty much how one may easily carry a guitar onboard a flight cost-free.Whether you’re a professional traveling to a gig, or an amateur who likes to play while on vacation, at some point you’ll likely need to bring your guitar on an airplane. Flying with a guitar can feel like a daunting experience. Is your guitar likely to suffer damage? Do airlines charge extra fees?
Everything You Need To Know About Flying With A Guitar (plus A Little More)
Fortunately, traveling on an airplane with a guitar is easier and more affordable than many people think. Federal law even provides specific protections for passengers with guitars.
My best piece of advice is to bring your guitar with you on the plane as a carry-on to lessen the chances of it being damaged or stolen. You might also want to consider loosening the strings before you board. This is just the tip of the iceberg though so, read on to learn everything you’ll need to know before you board.
Yes, it is legal, and you can bring a guitar on practically any commercial flight. According to a 2003 agreement between the Transportation Safety Administration and the American Federation of Musicians, airlines allow guitars as both carry-on and checked baggage.
Musicians Fly With Ease
It’s a really good thing that the TSA allows guitars as carry-ons. What the TSA does with confiscated items is sketchy. Long story short: if you have to hand over your guitar to the TSA, you’ll never see it again.
Just when I thought I had scored an empty seat next to me on a United Express CRJ-200, a disheveled-looking flight attendant put this guitar next to me in a desperate attempt to find a place for it. It ended up being one of the best seatmates I’ve ever had…
However, before arriving at the airport with your guitar in hand, check with your carrier regarding your specific flight. Also, when talking to a customer service rep, provide detailed measurements of both the guitar and its case.
Anyone Have Experience With Guitar As Carry On Baggage?
Because a guitar is allowed as a carry-on, and most airlines allow you to bring one carry-on, the cost of bringing your instrument aboard should already be factored into the price of your ticket. So, flying with a guitar as a carry-on has no particular extra cost.
If you want to check your guitar as luggage, the cost will vary. Major airlines typically allow passengers one checked bag, with the option of paying extra for additional bags. The cost of checking a guitar is no different than any other piece of luggage. It’ll depend on the airline’s specific prices and how many other pieces of luggage you plan to bring.
All commercial airlines in the US allow you to bring a guitar as a carry-on, as established by federal law. The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 includes a clause designating a guitar as a carry-on. However, the guitar must meet the airline’s carry-on requirements, which generally means it must either fit into the overhead compartment or underneath a standard seat.
Can I Take A Guitar On A Plane?
Bringing a guitar potentially becomes more complicated when flying on smaller, non-commercial planes (such as regional jets). Space is often limited on smaller planes, so you’ll want to check with the airline beforehand.
Yes, all major airlines allow you to check your guitar as luggage, providing it fits their standard size requirements for baggage. Contact your individual airline for details.
Generally, checking your guitar, instead of carrying it onboard, increases the risk of damage or theft. You’ll want to pack it in a hardshell case. Also, go directly to baggage claim after landing to reduce the chances of opportunistic theft.
Flying With A Guitar As Checked Baggage
Airlines don’t always have a reputation for treating guitars well. In 2009, musician Dave Carroll created a viral hit, “United Breaks Guitars, ” detailing how the carrier damaged his guitar and then spent months denying responsibility. The song struck a chord with many musicians, who shared similar experiences.
The best way to prevent theft and damage is to keep your guitar near you as much as possible. Instead of checking it, bring it onboard as your carry-on item (just as you would, for example, when flying with a cat). Carry it in a reinforced gig bag, which uses heavy-density foam panels to protect your instrument while remaining flexible enough to fit into the tight storage spaces of a plane.
When you first get on board, ask the attendant if you can place your guitar in one of the airplane’s closets, which are usually in first or business class. If closet space isn’t available, then you’ll need to put your guitar in the overhead bin.
Airplane Mode: Traveling With Your Guitar
This scene from the movie “Airplane!” is an accurate representation of what you’ll see immediately after you ask the flight attendant to find a place for your guitar. By the way, have you seen my post about the funniest “Airplane!” movie quotes? It’s far more interesting than reading an article
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