For many of us simply leaving the house with our prized instrument can be traumatizing.   But the thought of checking an instrument though the unknown hollows of an airport baggage handling system can bring on a panic attack lasting longer than the duration of a flight.  Hoffee is designed for added protection of your instrument well beyond that of the case it came with.   But even with that added protection, turning over an instrument as checked baggage can be a valid concern. 

    We’ve seen a lot of discussion on flying with a guitar.  Airline carry on policies vary but many are now making an exception for most musical instruments.  For the purpose of this discussion, we’ll credit Dave Carroll for his relentless pursuit of United Airlines over the mishandling his guitar resulting in policy changes.   We recommend that you not only check your airline’s website for their carry on policy but print out and carry that policy with you.   Even though the policies allowing musical instruments on board as carry on are clearly defined, once you get to the gate, uninformed airline employees will sometimes insist carry on baggage must meet certain measurement requirements.

    Once you’ve determined that your airline does allow guitars as carry on baggage we have some recommendations.

1.   Book  your flight early.  If you are flying coach try to book a seat towards the back of the plane.  That way you have the best chance of boarding early when there is plenty of overhead space available.

2.    Print out and carry the airline musical instrument carry on policy with you.  Arrive at the gate early and approach the gate agent to clarify they understand the policy.  The last thing you want is an aggressive gate agent during boarding demanding you gate check your instrument because they are unaware of the policy.   During boarding you’re out of time and most likely will have no choice but to hand your instrument over at the gate.

3.   Even when you’re not flying with your instrument carry a copy of the airline’s policy and educate those unaware airline employees.   You just may save the next musician the hassle of traveling with their instrument as carry on baggage.

    We recommend following these links to the carry on policies of several of the major U.S. airline carriers regarding musical instrument carry on baggage policies.  We have also included the TSA link regarding  musical instruments.

American Airlines                             http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInformation/baggage/baggageAllowance.jsp

Continental/United                                                                                                        https://www.continental.com/web/en-US/content/travel/baggage/fragile.aspx

Delta Airlines     http://www.delta.com/traveling_checkin/baggage/special_baggage/musical_instruments/index.jsp

Southwest Airlines                                                                                          http://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html

US Airways   
Http://www.usairways.com/enUS/traveltools/baggage/specialitems.
html 
                                                                                                                                  TSA                                                                        http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm