Note: This article was just updated for 2025.
The larger airlines seem to agree on how to accommodate musical instruments. Most allow you to walk aboard with a smaller case at no extra charge.
What you should know...
- There has been a new emphasis on TSA screening within the past three years, therefore you should be prepared for physical inspection at security checkpoints, especially if your case doesn't fit in scanner trays.
- Pack your cases minimally, and politely remind TSA agents about the fragile and sensitive nature of musical instruments.
- Plan to board as early as possible before the flight, as this increases your chances of easy stowage of your instrument and much less hassle overall.
- The American Federation of Musicians serves as a good resource for any updated policies and booking guidance.
For your convenience, we've included airline-specific information below.
Southwest Airlines
Carry-On Dimensions: 10 x 16 x 24 inches
Personal Item Dimensions: 8.5 x 13.5 x 18.5 inches
If your musical instrument (including case or covering) exceeds carry-on restrictions, it CAN be carried onboard.
The instrument must fit in an overhead bin or under a seat onboard the aircraft.
Space in overheard compartments is NOT guaranteed. Seats may be bought for larger instruments that do not fit in the overhead compartment at a price “no greater than the Child’s Fare.”
Southwest assumes no liability for any damage sustained to the item during transport.
American Airlines
You can travel with small musical instruments as your carry-on item on a first come, first serve basis as long as it fits in the overhead bin or fits under the seat in front of you.
Seats may be bought for larger instruments that do not fit in the overhead compartment at an “applicable adult fare.”
American Airlines will only be liable for damages to musical instruments if your instrument is in a hard-sided case and the outside of the case is visibly damaged.
Delta
United Airlines
JetBlue
Spirit Airlines
Section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 - Musical Instruments
SUMMARY:
The Department of Transportation is issuing a final rule to implement section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 regarding the carriage of musical instruments as carry-on baggage or checked baggage on commercial passenger flights operated by air carriers. This rule responds to difficulties musicians have encountered when transporting their instruments during air travel.
DATES:
Effective Date: This rule is effective March 6, 2015.
§ 251.3 Small musical instruments as carry-on baggage.
Each covered carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other small 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 FAA; and
(b) There is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.
This rule requires that carriers must allow a passenger to carry into the cabin and stow a small musical instrument, such a violin or a guitar, in a suitable baggage compartment, such as the overhead bin or under the seats in accordance with FAA safety regulations. See 14 CFR 121.285, 121.589, and 135.87. Further, in Advisory Circular (AC) 121-29B, FAA provides 11 categories of information that a carrier's carry-on baggage program must address, including a description of procedures a carrier will follow for stowage of “unusual or fragile items” (See AC 121-29B Section 4(e)(3)). Although not specifically referring to musical instruments, we believe this section is applicable to the transport of musical instruments as they tend to fall into the category of “unusual or fragile items” due to their size, shape, and nature.
With the exception of certain disability assistance devices, overhead bins or under seat stowage space is available to all passengers and crew members for their carry-on baggage on a “first come, first served” basis. Accordingly, carriers are not required to remove other passengers' or crew members' carry-on baggage that is already stowed in order to make space for a musical instrument. However, this also means carriers are not allowed to require a passenger to remove his or her musical instrument that is already safely stowed (e.g., in the overhead bin) to make room for carry-on baggage of other passengers who boarded the aircraft later than the passenger with the musical instrument. This is true even if the space taken by the musical instrument could accommodate one or more other carry-on items. Because the rule does not require that musical instruments be given priority over other carry-on baggage, we encourage passengers traveling with musical instruments to take steps to board before as many other passengers as possible to ensure that space will be available for them to safely stow their instruments in the cabin. This includes utilizing pre-boarding opportunities that some carriers offer.
Section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 -
Musical Instruments
This rule also states that carriers are prohibited from charging passengers with a musical instrument as carry-on baggage an additional fee other than any standard fee carriers impose for carry-on baggage.
§ 251.4 Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage.
Each covered carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of § 251.3 in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the cost of an additional ticket described in paragraph (e) of this section, if:
(a) The instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury to other passengers;
(b) The weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft;
(c) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA;
(d) Neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States; and
(e) The passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.
§ 251.5 Large musical instruments as checked baggage.
Each covered carrier shall transport as baggage a musical instrument that is the property of a passenger traveling in air transportation that may not be carried in the aircraft cabin if
(a) The sum of the length, width, and height measured in inches of the outside linear dimensions of the instrument (including the case) does not exceed 150 inches or the applicable size restrictions for the aircraft;
(b) The weight of the instrument does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft; and
(c) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA.
As mandated by the Act, this rule requires carriers to accept musical instruments in the cargo compartment as checked baggage if those instruments comply with the size and weight limitations provided in Section 403 and FAA's safety regulations.
Hard cases for tubas exceed the 90” combined dimensions, a threshold at which some carriers charge for oversize baggage, but they are typically under the 115” size that some carriers have established as the current maximum allowable size for checked baggage.
Anonymous
Hi Marquita, Houghton Horns employees fit their French horns in overhead compartments on airplanes all the time!
This is probably only possible for a detachable bell French horn. Fixed bell horns will be too large to be carried on to pretty much any airplane. You can ask your local repair shop about getting your bell cut so it is easier to travel with.
You also have to be careful which size case you try to carry on, and how strict that individual airline is. A Marcus Bonna MB-SD is our preferred case for travel because the bell section can be unscrewed from the body and fit under your seat. US airlines are generally a little more permissive. We’ve found that flights originating in the EU traveling into the US are the strictest – a couple of times we’ve been asked to fit our cases into the carry-on size confirmation tray before being allowed to board the plane. Always measure your case and compare it to that particular airline’s requirements before you purchase your ticket.
Many of our employees pay extra for early boarding so we can get on the plane first and snag an open overhead compartment spot. Boarding late can be dangerous because they might force you to gate-check your case if they run out of space. Try to get on the plane as quickly as possible!
Marquita Hynes
Will a French horn in a hard case fit in the overhead compartment? I am not comfortable with it being gate-checked or put with regular luggage. Tooooo risky.
Respectfully, — m.h.