Reposted from BMI News.
As of March 6, 2015, it’s official and no longer at the discretion of the various airlines. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, musicians who board planes must be allowed to carry on their instruments provided they fit in the overhead bin. If this space isn’t large enough, the musician is also permitted to purchase a second seat in which to stow their musical companion. One caveat: the airlines don’t have to prioritize musical instruments ahead of any other carry-on luggage, so if the bins are full, you’ll still have to check your instrument at the gate. To remedy this, the DoT suggests that musicians may want to pay the airline’s fee for priority boarding to ensure that there will be room for their gear.
Read the final ruling here, and for additional information, please review the Transportation Security Administration’s guide for traveling with musical instruments (copied just below).
New info from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Traveling with Special Items (musical instruments and equipment)
You may bring musical instruments as carry-on or as checked baggage. To help passengers who are traveling with instruments, we partnered with musical organizations around the country to understand the challenges of transporting musical instruments, and we recommend the following.
Check with your airline prior to your flight to ensure your instrument meets the size requirements for their aircraft.
Pack brass instruments in your checked baggage. Bring string instruments, within carrier size limitations, as carry-on items.
Carrying Instruments Through Screening Checkpoints
Please check with your airline before you arrive at the airport.
Read additional information from the Department of Transportation (copied below).
Security officers must X-ray or physically screen your instrument before it can be transported on an aircraft.
If security officers cannot clear the instrument through the security checkpoint as a carry-on item, you should transport the instrument as checked baggage instead.
Instruments as Checked Baggage
You may bring musical instruments as checked baggage as long as they fit within the size and weight limitations of the airline you are taking.
Useful links for information, FAQ, and filing complaints
- Complaining to Airlines
- Complaining to DOT
- Information on musical instruments from Airlines for America
- Information on musical instruments from the Transportation Security Administration
- Tips: Traveling With a Musical Instrument
- Final Rule
- Frequently Asked Questions on DOT Rule
Additional Questions
If you have additional questions about screening policies and procedures, or need special assistance please call TSA Cares toll free at 1-855-787-2227. Travelers can also call and/or email the TSA Contact Center.
