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Original poster

Advice re: taking DD violin as hand luggage on transatlantic flight.

27 replies

cingolimama · 20/07/2017 13:26

Wonder if anyone has had experience of traveling with DC's violin. The airline websites and "customer care" lines are bloody useless in clarifying what's allowable and it seems a LOT is left to chance.

For example, the standard violin case (even the shaped lightweight case is about 80 cm in length) exceeds the maximum allowable of 56 x 45 x 25cm. But then it goes on to say "Where possible, we'll try and accommodate instruments of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm" given at least 24 hours notice. "Try" is hardly reassuring.

It's all a bit iffy, and is making me nervous. The violin can't, under any circumstances go in the hold (it would invalidate the insurance). I know there are special travel violin cases where you pack the bow separately, but they are really expensive (around £350) and we just can't afford that.

But musicians have to travel all the time - and I don't mean world famous, wealthy ones - just the normal, professional and serious amateur musicians, and none of them are putting their instruments in the hold. So what do they do? Hold their breath and hope every single time they fly? What do you do with your traveling musical DCs?

We're traveling BA from UK to US. Any advice/experience would be gratefully received.

OP posts:
Backinthebox · 20/07/2017 16:04

Even though it is outside of the luggage dimensions, she should be OK as long as she doesn't have lots of other hand luggage. The rules are there primarily to stop people bringing effectively their entire holiday's worth of luggage in a couple of gigantic wheelie bags. I've never had to send a musical instrument into the hold, although I have had to bite my tongue when an entire orchestra get on with all their double basses and cellos and all demand an empty seat next to them for their instrument. Only so many seats on a plane!

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 20/07/2017 15:54

We have travelled from Ireland to UK with 2 violins 3 times. It was with Aer Lingus each time. There were several other children with violins on same trips, none of us had any trouble.

We get to gate early and aim to be among the first to board. The girls wear the violins on their backs, we try not to bring any attention to the violins. The children with violins don't take any roll on luggage, just a small rucksack. We travel with a full size violin and a 3/4 violin.

A violin teacher we know recommends putting violin into rucksack and carrying onboard, IF challenged to put in hold. It has never come to that thankfully.

I think you should be OK with BA. I do believe some airlines in US can be pretty tricky with instruments. Best of luck!