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?
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.
Carry Your Instrument On The Plane
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.
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…
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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 about bringing a guitar on an airplane.
Just as how it is when flying with a large dog, the less you have to move your guitar, the better. Try to book the most direct flight possible. You can store your guitar in the overhead or closet and then leave it alone until you arrive at your destination.
Can I Bring A Guitar On A Plane?
Booking a nonstop flight is especially important if you plan on checking the guitar as luggage. Each time the guitar is transferred between planes, the more likely damage can occur.
If your guitar is expensive (or fragile), consider buying it a seat of its own (much like how you would do if you were flying with ashes, for example). Many professional musicians purchase a separate ticket for their instrument. Although expensive, a separate seat provides the ultimate in protection when flying with a guitar because it never leaves your sight and can’t be crushed by other baggage.
When booking your ticket, try to sit in a section that boards early. For some airlines, that might mean sitting in the back of the plane. If you’re one of the first passengers to board, you have more storage options because the bins will mostly be empty.
Must Know Tips For Flying With Your Guitar
A common piece of advice you’ll hear when checking your guitar as luggage is to first loosen its strings. The idea is that changes in air pressure during the flight can cause strings to tighten and snap. While you likely won’t harm your guitar by loosening the strings, it’s usually not necessary.
Air pressure changes are unlikely to harm your guitar. After all, animals ride in the cargo compartment without any issue. Other pieces of luggage moving around the compartment are far more likely to cause damage, which is why you want to pack your guitar in a hard shell case if you plan on checking it.
The majority of musicians who fly with a guitar encounter no problems. However, sometimes an airline employee or TSA agent might give you a hassle. They might request to inspect your guitar case or challenge your right to bring it on the plane.
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While these situations are often irritating, try to always maintain your composure. If necessary, explain that you’re legally allowed to bring a guitar as a carry-on. You might want to bookmark the law on your phone so you can quickly show it to anyone if necessary.Ari Herstand is a Los Angeles based musician, the founder and CEO of Ari’s Take and the author of How to Make It in the New Music Business.
I fly a lot with my guitar. It’s a $2, 000 Taylor. Over the years, airlines (namely US Airways and United) have told me that my guitar MUST be checked. This usually happens at the gate. However, at LAX they have their own guards checking you BEFORE you even get to security. A few months ago they tried to turn me back to the ticket counter to pay the checked baggage fee and check my guitar…
Yes I had the new law printed out and I showed them. Obama signed this bill into law on February 14th, 2012.
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What is the law? Well it’s 145 pages of various airline passenger rights, but hidden on page 74 and stretching all the way to the middle of page 75 is the Musical Instruments clause. It states:
“An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if (A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the Administrator; and
Per point B, make sure you are able to board the plane EARLY. On Southwest, boarding order is determined by when you check in. You can check in online 24 hours in advance – set your alarm. Check the other airlines to see how you can get an early boarding group. Sometimes if the gate attendant is nice, she/he will let you board early if you ask politely (Southwest usually lets me on during family boarding).
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**Update 1-8-15 – It appears that even though this law was passed the Department of Transportation never outlined the
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