APH Expose Costs For Travelling with Musical Instruments

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Cost of Travelling with Musical Instruments

Travelling by air with your musical instrument can be a challenge, particularly if it is an instrument that does not fit within the standard hand luggage restrictions. The table below outlines the airline regulations for passengers travelling with musical instruments for hand luggage and check-in luggage for the major airlines serving the UK market.

Airline

Hand Luggage Allowance

Checked-in Luggage Allowance (Short Haul)

Checked-in Luggage Allowance (Long Haul)

Instruments Carried On As Hand Luggage

Instruments Carried On As Checked-In Luggage

Aer Lingus

One standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are:
55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 10kg.

Economy low-fare:

£12 per item paid online
£17 per item at the airport.

Economy flexifare: fees will apply for the 3rd and subsequent checked bags.

Maximum of 20kg of baggage allowed per customer.

Economy low-fare: one bag up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy flexifare: two bags under 23kg allowed free of charge

Business Class: three bags up to a total of 69kg can be carried free of charge.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Larger musical instruments that cannot be carried in the cabin (such as double bass, harps and drums) must be checked-in.

There is a special handling fee to carry instruments in the hold of £26 online or £35 at the airport.

Excess luggage rates will also apply:

Short haul:

Online - £6 per kg per one-way flight.
Airport - £12 per kg per one-way flight.

Long haul:

£36 per bag per one-way flight.

Air France

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are:
55cm x 35cm x25cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 12kg.

Business: one standard piece of luggage, one smaller piece of luggage and one personal item.

The maximum combined weight is 18kg.

Economy: one item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy plus: two items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

First: three items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy: one item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy plus: two items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

First: three items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage rates vary according to travel destination.

Alitalia

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are:
55cm x 35cm x 25cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 8kg.

Economy: one item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy plus: two items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Business: three items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy: one item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Economy plus: two items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Business: three items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

Cellos may be taken in the cabin so long as an additional seat is purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £48 per item.

American Airlines

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 23cm x 35cm.

N/A

Economy: one item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Business and First: two items up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Small musical instruments may be carried onboard the aircraft providing they meet existing carry-on size requirements (except for guitars which may be brought on board only if they can be stowed safely in an overhead locker or elsewhere in the cabin).

The instrument is considered to be the passenger’s one allowed carry-on bag although a personal item is allowed in addition.

If an instrument is too large to fit in the overhead lockers, then an additional seat has to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: $50 per item.

Atlantic Airways

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 50cm x 25cm x 40cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 8kg.

Economy: allowance of 20kg.

Economy plus and Business: allowance of 30kg.

Economy: allowance of 20kg.

Economy plus and Business: allowance of 30kg.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

bmi baby

One standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 20cm x 40cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 10kg.

18kg allowance per person and a maximum of five bags.

Costs:

£12.99 through bmibaby.com.
£20 through the call centre and at the airport.

18kg allowance per person and a maximum of five bags.

Costs:

£12.99 through bmibaby.com.
£20 through the call centre and at the airport.

One small musical instrument, which fits in the overhead locker, will be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage free of charge.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased as well as fees of:

£17.99 per flight if booked online.
£23 per flight if booked via the call centre or at the airport.

Musical instruments to be carried in the hold will be charged at:

£17.99 per flight if booked online.
£23 per flight if booked via the call centre or at the airport.

If instrument exceeds luggage allowance then additional excess baggage fees will be charged.

Excess baggage fees: £12 per kg.

British Airways

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 25cm x 45cm.

World Traveller: one bag up to 23kg free.

World Traveller Plus: two bags up to 23kg each free.

Club World: two bags up to 32kg free.

First Club World: three bags up to 32kg free.

World Traveller: one bag up to 23kg free.

World Traveller Plus: two bags up to 23kg each free.

Club World: two bags up to 32kg free.

First Club World: three bags up to 32kg free.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £30 per item.

British Midlands

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 23cm x 40cm.

Business: two pieces and one personal item.

Economy: one item 20kg.

Economy Plus: unlimited pieces, max total weight 20kg.

Business: unlimited pieces, max total weight 30kg.

Economy: unlimited pieces, max total weight 20kg.

Business: unlimited pieces, max total weight 30kg.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees from £11 per kg depending on destination.

Cathay Pacific

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 20cm x 40cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is:

First – 15kg
Business – 10kg
Economy – 7kg

All locations except America.

Economy: maximum combined weight of 20kg.

Business: maximum combined weight of 30kg.

First: maximum combined weight of 40kg.

Central, North and South America.

Economy: two bags at 23kg each.

Business: two bags at 32kg each.

First: two bags at 32kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried in the cabin free of charge provided it is within the hand luggage size/weight limits.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance.

Continental Airlines

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 18kg.

One item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Upright basses and Contra basses will not be accepted as cabin seat luggage.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Additional baggage: £95 per piece.
Overweight baggage:
£32 per piece.
Oversized baggage:
157cm – 203cm - £95 per piece
203cm – 292cm - £190 per piece.

Delta Air Lines

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

One item up to 23kg allowed free of charge.

Guitars and other smaller musical instruments will be accepted as part of the free carry-on luggage allowance provided they easily fit the overhead lockers or other approved storage location.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Overweight baggage:
£95 per one way flight.
Oversized baggage: £111 per one way flight.

easyJet

One standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for the smaller bag are 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

Max 20kg per person allowed. £18 per bag.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they fit within the hand luggage size/weight limits and this is subject to available space in the overhead lockers.

Violins, violas, piccolos, flutes, clarinets, bugles and trumpets fall within these dimensions.

Cellos may be taken in the cabin as long as an additional seat is purchased but a smaller instrument such as a violin or guitar needs to be stored in the overhead locker or checked-in.

There is no option to buy a seat for instruments larger than a cello (double bass, harp etc).

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size, they must be checked-in as hold luggage and cannot weigh more than 32kg. Each piece of luggage will incur a fee of £18 per bag.

Emirates

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 38cm x 20cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 7kg.

Business and First: two pieces of hand luggage not exceeding a combined weight of 12kg.

Economy: 30kg per person.

Business: 40kg per person.

First: 50kg per person.

Economy: 30kg per person.

Business: 40kg per person.

First: 50kg per person.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Musical instruments can travel on an unoccupied seat in the cabin if the instrument is within the usual size and weight limits or in a paid for seat if the instrument exceeds those limits.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: from £10 per kg depending on destination.

Flybe

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 50cm x 35cm x 23cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 10kg.

Economy Plus: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

Economy: one bag of 20kg costs £10.99.

Economy Plus: passengers can carry up to 40kg free.

Economy: one bag of 20kg costs £10.99.

Economy Plus: passengers can carry up to 40kg free.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Cellos can usually be carried in the cabin if a seat is purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees:

£12 per kg for the first three kg,.
£15 per kg between four and six kg.
£20 for ever kg after.

Iberia

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 8kg.

First/Business: two pieces of hand luggage and one personal item.

Economy: one item up to 23kg.

Business: two items up to 23kg each.

Economy: one item up to 23kg.

Economy Plus: two items up to 23kg each.

Business: three items up to 23kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Musical instruments can travel on an unoccupied seat in the cabin if the instrument is within the usual size and weight limits or in a paid for seat if the instrument exceeds those limits.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £53 per item.

Japan Airlines

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 10kg.

Economy: two items up to 23kg each.

First: two items up to 32kg each.

Economy: two items up to 23kg each.

First: two items up to 32kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Musical instruments can travel on an unoccupied seat in the cabin if the instrument is within the usual size and weight limits or in a paid for seat if the instrument exceeds those limits.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £32 per item.

KLM

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 35cm x 25cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 12kg.

Business: one standard piece of luggage, one smaller piece of luggage and one personal item.

The maximum combined weight is 18kg.

Economy: one item up to 23kg.

Business: three items up to 23kg each.

Economy: one item up to 23kg.

Business: three items up to 23kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £80 per item.

Monarch Airlines

One standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 5kg.

Maximum of 20kg per passenger. Bags are charged per item.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Short haul:

£7.50 per kg per one-way flight. If booked online.
£9 per kg per one-way flight. If booked at airport.

Long haul:

£12 per kg per one-way flight..

Qantas Group

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 7kg.

First/Business: two pieces of hand luggage.

N/A

Economy: 40kg.

Business: 30kg.

First: 23kg.

No restriction on the number of pieces.

Qantas allows the carriage of violas and violins in the overhead locker providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £31 per kg per one way flight.

Ryanair

Strictly one piece of carry-on luggage not exceeding dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm.

All handbags, laptops, shop purchases etc must be carried within the one piece of cabin luggage.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 10kg.

Maximum of two bags allowed weighing up to a total of either 15kg or 20kg depending on the fee you choose to pay.

Musical items such as a guitar, violin or viola which exceed cabin luggage dimensions may only be carried in the cabin if an extra seat has been purchased.

Large musical instruments can only be carried in the hold in addition to the personal checked luggage allowance up to a limit of 20kg per item at an additional fee of £40 per one way flight if booked online or £50 per one way flight if booked via the call centre or at the airport.

SAS Group

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 55cm x 40cm x 23cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 8kg.

First/Business: two pieces of hand luggage

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Economy Extra: two bags up to 23kg each.

Business: two bags up to 32kg each.

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Economy Extra: two bags up to 23kg each.

Business: two bags up to 32kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Cellos are the only musical instrument which is accepted onboard provided an extra seat has been booked.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

For larger musical instruments that cannot be separated that may weigh up to 45kg, excess baggage rates start at £79 depending on size and weight.

South African Airways

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 115cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 8kg.

First/Business: two items of hand luggage.

Economy: bag

Business: two pieces weighing 32kg each.

First: two pieces weighing 32kg each.

Economy: two pieces weighing 23kg each.

Business: two pieces weighing 32kg each.

First: two pieces weighing 32kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Instruments which conform to the size limitations will be considered as one item of cabin luggage so passengers travelling in economy will not be able to carry any other cabin bag.

If the instrument is larger than the permitted hand luggage size and the passenger wishes to carry the item in the cabin, then an additional seat for the instrument will need to be purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees; 1.5% per kg of the highest SA Airways direct adult one way economy class fare.

United Airlines

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 35cm x 25cm.

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Business: two bags up to 23kg each.

First: two bags up to 23kg each.

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Business: two bags up to 23kg each.

First: two bags up to 23kg each.

One guitar or smaller sized musical instrument can be carried on as a passenger’s one carry on item.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance but are subject to checked baggage fees of £16 and also may be subject to oversized, overweight and excess baggage fees.

US Airways

One standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 35cm x 25cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 18kg.

N/A

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

First: two bags up to 23kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Cellos and bass violas are permitted to travel in the cabin, provided an additional seat has been purchased.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: from £32 depending on weight.

Virgin Atlantic

Economy: one standard piece of hand luggage and one personal item.

The maximum dimensions for a cabin bag are 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.

The maximum weight for a cabin bag is 6kg.

First/Business: two items of hand luggage and one personal item.

Combined weight must not exceed 16kg per person.

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Premium Economy: two bags up to 23kg each.

Upper Class: three bags up to 32kg each.

Economy: one bag up to 23kg.

Premium Economy: two bags up to 23kg each.

Upper Class: three bags up to 32kg each.

Musical instruments can be carried as hand luggage providing they don’t exceed the cabin luggage allowance.

Musical instruments can be carried as part of the normal checked-in luggage allowance and excess luggage fees must be paid if allowance is exceeded.

Excess baggage fees: £40 per item.

APH makes every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate at the time of collection and publishing but it is provided without any kind of warranty. APH accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of the information.