Tips for Traveling by Air

1. Know airline policies

New rules implemented by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on March 6, 2015, require airlines operating within the U.S. to accommodate musical instruments as carry-on items as long as there is room available in the overhead bin or under-seat area at the time of boarding and the instrument can be safely stowed. Instruments have to be in a case or cover to avoid injury to passengers.

While not all airlines permit passengers to purchase a seat for larger instruments, the DOT has encouraged them to do so. 

Airlines must allow musicians to check musical instruments in the baggage hold upon request, as long as the sum of the length, width, and height of the exterior case dimensions does not exceed 150 inches, its weight does not exceed 165 pounds, and can be stowed in accordance with FAA requirements for baggage or cargo. As a practical matter, the aircraft’s cargo hold is sufficiently large to accommodate such items.  Larger instruments may be allowed as checked baggage, but may be subject to “oversize” fees. There cannot be additional fees charged just for musical instruments, but fees that are applicable to all carry on or checked items will apply to your instrument. When selecting an air carrier, call to confirm that you are traveling with a musical instrument and to inquire whether the size of the aircraft might limit your ability to fly with an instrument –  and be sure to have on hand the exterior dimensions of your instrument’s case.  Airlines make their policies available online – carry a copy.This link, provided by Airlines for America (A4A), is an overview of some, but not all, policies established by major airlines.  Be sure to click the links in the chart to view the full airline policies for further detail. If you are traveling on one of the airlines listed on this page, print a copy of the web page and take it with you.

A4A Summary of Airline Policies for Musical Instruments

2. When making your reservation, consider options for early boarding

Depending on individual airline policies, paying extra for early boarding or requesting a seat assignment at the back of the plane may allow more time to stow your instrument, and more space options. Paying for early boarding may be well worth the cost if it means space will be available for your instrument.  For certain airlines, passengers seated in the rear of the aircraft are boarded immediately after first class and special needs passengers, so it’s worthwhile to find out in advance how the airline you will fly determines its boarding order and to make boarding arrangements accordingly, prior to your arrival at the airport

3. Notify reservation agents of oversized items

For space and safety reasons, many airlines have limits on the number of oversized items allowed in-cabin. And flight crews have to ensure that oversized items do not block passenger views of safety signs. Even if you paid an additional fee or booked a seat for your instrument, ask the reservation agent to record that you are traveling with an oversized musical instrument.

4. Print a copy of the new federal rules for travel with instruments and take it with you

Having a copy of the rules can be helpful in case difficulty is encountered while traveling.

Print the Department of Transportation Musical Instrument Rule (PDF)

Remove all extraneous items from the case

All tools and other items should be checked or carried separately to simplify the screening process. What are completely familiar items to you – cleaning fluids and tools, valve oil, end pins, reed knives, mutes, tuners, metronomes – may seem mysterious to screening personnel. If you are unsure whether an item is permitted even if it were to be carried separately, the safest course is to keep it in your checked baggage.

Limit the number of carry-on items

Most airlines will consider your musical instrument to be your “one carry-on item.”

Arrive early

You may hear that check-in and screening takes only minutes – THIS MAY NOT BE TRUE FOR MUSICIANS. Arriving early will allow for the time you may need to work with security and flight crews to make sure your instrument gets safely on board. Bear in mind that problems may take some time to correct. Therefore, it is imperative that you arrive AT THE GATE at least one hour before boarding time.

Have a back-up plan

Prepare yourself for the possibility that you may not be able to travel with your instrument in-cabin – even if you have followed all possible procedures. What will you do? Are you willing to send your instrument by air courier? Is it packed well enough to withstand transportation in the cargo hold? If you must check your instrument, insist that it is put in the temperature controlled section of the cargo hold where pets are placed, since changes in temperature that occur in the regular baggage hold may cause serious damage.

In 2002, the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) secured a commitment from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to facilitate musicians traveling with their instruments.

In August of 2006, the TSA adopted new procedures that permit passengers to be present for and assist with the screening of large musical instruments as checked baggage. According to the TSA:

The screening will be conducted by the TSA in a designated area near the ticket counter and the instrument will then be returned by TSA to the aircraft operator for processing as checked baggage. Passengers may request this service at the ticket counter as they are checking in.

The links below include a page from the TSA outlining these policies:

U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Updates

It is crucial that as a traveling musician you recognize several important facts.

1. The most important responsibility of airport and transportation officials is security.
2. The most important responsibility of gate attendants and flight attendants is safety.
3. The most important responsibility of the captain is safety AND security.

Your instrument may be an unusual and unexpected item to aviation personnel. Gate and flight crews that have a very short period of time to seat passengers in an aircraft try their best to deal with the unexpected concisely and quickly. However, you have the right to travel with your instrument onboard if the airline permits it. Therefore, it is recommended that you remain calm and polite. In many cases, the problem may be resolved. Consider this:

1. If you are stopped by a flight attendant, calmly and quickly explain the precautions you have taken to prepare your instrument to safely travel in-cabin and show your understanding of new federal rules and airline policies by producing the copies you have printed.
2. Be accommodating by suggesting placing the instrument in the rear of the aircraft, or securing the instrument with cords or ties offered by airline personnel.
3. If necessary, immediately ask to deplane so that you can resolve this matter with a customer service representative or airline supervisor.
4. DO NOT block the way of boarding passengers.

If your experience flying runs counter to the policies posted by the airlines, you are strongly encouraged to submit a complaint to both the airline and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Start first with a complaint to the airline, which will produce the quickest response.  Next, submit a copy of your complaint to the DOT so that they have a record of the difficulty musicians encounter when flying. DOT does not usually respond directly to passengers filing complaints, but the agency monitors complaints for patterns or egregious cases that warrant actions to hold airlines to laws and regulations.

The DOT says the following about opportunities to receive compensation for lost or damaged instruments. Be sure to check with individuals airlines for more information:

“If your instrument should be lost, damaged or delayed, there is a limit on the airline’s liability. At this writing the limits are $3,500 per passenger for domestic trips, and 1,131 “Special Drawing Rights” for international trips (including the domestic portion of an international itinerary). A “Special Drawing Right” is an international currency surrogate that floats on a daily basis. At this writing 1,131 SDRs is equal to US $1,580.00. You can visit www.imf.org to see its current value.

Some airlines disclaim liability altogether for loss of or damage to musical instruments on domestic trips. On international trips (including domestic portions of international journeys), airlines are usually prohibited by treaty from disclaiming liability for baggage that they actually carry. Passengers traveling with musical instruments whose value is higher than the limits listed above should ask their airline if it offers “excess valuation,” which permits a passenger to pay a fee to raise these limits. Some airlines might not offer excess valuation for musical instruments. You may also want to consider personal insurance that covers the instrument when traveling.”

Submitting Complaints to Airlines

Submitting Complaints to U.S. Department of Transportation

Questions or comments? Please contact Heather Noonan at hnoonan@americanorchestras.org or Najean Lee at nlee@americanorchestras.org. The content of the League’s Advocacy & Government webpages is for general educational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice on any subject matter. This website should not be used as a substitute for obtaining legal advice from an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction.