Carrying a guitar on board a plane as carry on luggage

  • Thread starter Thread starter NaturalBornBoy
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NaturalBornBoy

NaturalBornBoy

Well-known member
Have any of you done this recently?

Did the flight attendants give you any problems?

What's the best way of going about this?
 
I dont think there's a chance they'll let you. It wont fit up above.
 
gbsmusic":39dkwi33 said:
I dont think there's a chance they'll let you. It wont fit up above.
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If my measurements are correct and I think they are, the overhead compartment in a 747 model 400 will easily fit an electric guitar in a soft case.

In any case, I have heard of people bringing guitars on board and having the flight attendants store them in cupboards. I've heard people say that you have to be extremely polite to the attendants and dressing nicely definitely helps too :D
 
I've never been on a plane where it didn't fit in overhead...just don't be the last one on the plane when they're all full.
 
Get yourself an incase or mono case...soft(hard) guitar cases...and bring it on the plane as a carry on. Be sure to check with the airline first as sometimes they'll store it in the coat closet if there's room.
 
Randy Van Sykes":z9mmyldg said:
I've never been on a plane where it didn't fit in overhead...just don't be the last one on the plane when they're all full.
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I plan to get to the airport way early so that I can request for seats that allow for earlier boarding times :)
 
SkyhighRocks":1plm8huv said:
Get yourself an incase or mono case...soft(hard) guitar cases...and bring it on the plane as a carry on. Be sure to check with the airline first as sometimes they'll store it in the coat closet if there's room.
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I'll just be using one of them Warwick soft cases or gig bags.

I hope they store it in the closet. That would be awesome!
 
Some airlines will charge you for another seat and you can keep it next to you.
 
Just flew with one in a gig bag on Southwest a couple of weeks ago.....no problem at all.
 
I've flown a number of times with TWO guitars in hardshell cases and it was never a problem. Both my PRS and my Gibson were allowed on-board in hardshell cases. You just have to get on the plane before early enough to put them in the overhead. Luggage and stuff will still fit on top of them (if you don't mind). I put one of the guitars in the coat-closet and the other one overhead. The flight attendants didn't mind (be polite). These flights were also domestic and international. Airlines were Delta, JAL, ANA, Northwest, and one other I can't remember.

Look up the plane model before hand to get the size of the bins. Bring the printout to the gate with you to show them it will fit. BE POLITE.

I've never been asked to check my guitars except for once. But I explained the sentimental and monetary value of a '79 Silverburst and the likely hood of it getting broken if it were checked. I was given a green light.

Hope that helps.
 
I bought a classical in Spain (2003ish)...was LUCKY to be able to talk the flight attendants into storing it in the coat closet.

I had to play them a song... :yes:
 
FourT6and2":1yf4d4fm said:
I've flown a number of times with TWO guitars in hardshell cases and it was never a problem. Both my PRS and my Gibson were allowed on-board in hardshell cases. You just have to get on the plane before early enough to put them in the overhead. Luggage and stuff will still fit on top of them (if you don't mind). I put one of the guitars in the coat-closet and the other one overhead. The flight attendants didn't mind (be polite). These flights were also domestic and international. Airlines were Delta, JAL, ANA, Northwest, and one other I can't remember.

Look up the plane model before hand to get the size of the bins. Bring the printout to the gate with you to show them it will fit. BE POLITE.

I've never been asked to check my guitars except for once. But I explained the sentimental and monetary value of a '79 Silverburst and the likely hood of it getting broken if it were checked. I was given a green light.

Hope that helps.
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My flight's gonna be on a 747 model 400 and from what I've checked, the overhead compartments will fit an electric guitar without problems.

I'll still try to get them to store it in a closet or something.
 
NaturalBornBoy":q05p7b2o said:
Have any of you done this recently?

Did the flight attendants give you any problems?

What's the best way of going about this?
Click to expand...

Here is what I do. I take the neck off the guitar. I bought a cardboard tube big enough for my neck to fit in and that I hand carry with me onto the plane. I put the body in my suitcase wrapped in bubble wrap and in between lots of clothes. I travel alot, I am in the military and I will be flying to Spain tomorrow, and I have not had any problems. It also gives me a chance to clean, set the guitar up and replace the strings. Things that I do not do at home. LOL
 
Jet Troop":x3z9g4ov said:
NaturalBornBoy":x3z9g4ov said:
Have any of you done this recently?

Did the flight attendants give you any problems?

What's the best way of going about this?
Click to expand...

Here is what I do. I take the neck off the guitar. I bought a cardboard tube big enough for my neck to fit in and that I hand carry with me onto the plane. I put the body in my suitcase wrapped in bubble wrap and in between lots of clothes. I travel alot, I am in the military and I will be flying to Spain tomorrow, and I have not had any problems. It also gives me a chance to clean, set the guitar up and replace the strings. Things that I do not do at home. LOL
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Have a safe trip!!!
 
I do it all the time. 2 Guitars in a dual gig bag in the overhead and a Rebel 20 under the seat in front of me.
We fly Southwest a lot and they are great,,never had a problem.

Also, in my experience, the less of a deal you make about bringing a guitar on the better. I don't even
mention it anymore. If there is an issue they will let you know.

Btw, Air Canada is the worst. Be prepared to check your gear if your'e flying with them.
 
yeah custom soft cases are always be good for carry...i'll prefer them every time :)
 
graymatter":g2ajahsb said:
I do it all the time. 2 Guitars in a dual gig bag in the overhead and a Rebel 20 under the seat in front of me.
We fly Southwest a lot and they are great,,never had a problem.

Also, in my experience, the less of a deal you make about bringing a guitar on the better. I don't even
mention it anymore. If there is an issue they will let you know.
Click to expand...

Agreed, don't make a big deal about it, be polite and you will not have a problem. I fly several times a year and never have a problem.
 
i fly constantly with a gig bag and have done so over the last 12 years. i always take mine on and always tell them it will fit even when they say "i don't think it will fit". and it does fit!
Mark
 
I've actually never had a problem when I've flown Southwest. They've always let me. The problem is finding an empty overhead bin before they fill up.
 
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