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Musical Instruments on a Plane

Guitars, violins, cellos and other instruments: what each airline's official policy says about cabin seats, size limits and checking instruments into the hold.

All quotes below are from the airlines' official policy pages, checked 30 October 2026. Rules change — confirm on the official page before you travel.

QA

Qatar Airways

Musical instruments within checked allowance; if over limits extra allowance may be purchased, or fragile instruments in cabin on a purchased seat (max 75kg and 120cm per seat, max 3 extra seats)

PA

Philippine Airlines

Small musical instruments free if within free baggage allowance and within 39 in (100 cm) length; all guitars accepted only as checked baggage

AF

Air France

Instruments over 32 kg or over 158 cm are oversized: extra fee applies and over-32 kg items need advance approval; fragile/oversized items may travel on extra paid seat(s), max 46 kg per seat.

KA

Kuwait Airways

Sports equipment and musical instruments subject to same size/weight restrictions as other cabin baggage; certain conditions/limitations may apply for musical instruments

S

SWISS

Small musical instruments max 55 x 40 x 23 cm and 8 kg may be brought on board within the carry-on allowance; special rules apply to instrument transport.

S

Scoot

Oversized instruments (e.g. cello, double bass) cannot be cabin baggage; they may be carried on board by purchasing an extra seat, packed max 140 x 40 x 45cm and max 32kg, or checked in.

BA

Brussels Airlines

Small musical instruments in cabin as part of carry-on allowance: max 125 cm total (h+w+l) and 8 kg

I

Iberia

A guitar or similar instrument up to 30 x 120 x 42 cm may be carried as the sole piece of hand luggage; larger instruments can travel on a purchased extra seat.

OA

Oman Air

Instrument fitting hand baggage dimensions/weight (115cm/7kg) may be carried in cabin; if over, Cabin Baggage Service to secure it in the seat next to you may be booked subject to availability

SA

SriLankan Airlines

Musical instruments may travel on a pre-purchased extra seat ('Extra Seat for Comfort'); max cabin seat baggage 75 kg

E

Eurowings

Delicate musical instruments not meeting hand baggage rules may be carried in the cabin only with prior notification and permission, or on a booked extra seat

F

Finnair

A musical instrument that fits standard bag measures counts as a checked bag; large instruments exceeding maximum measures may be accepted only with prior airline approval.

AA

ANA (All Nippon Airways)

Musical instruments (e.g. guitars, violins) can be checked as part of the baggage allowance if within size/weight limits; oversized instruments over 203cm up to 292cm are subject to excess fees.

AE

Air Europa

Oversized cabin items e.g. musical instruments can be carried on an additional seat at ticket price excluding airport charges, if within cabin size/weight limits

DA

Delta Air Lines

Small musical instruments that fit in overhead or under-seat space are exempt from carry-on size measurements

F

Flynas

Official guide states arrangements can be made for musical instruments (e.g. cellos) among special items

JA

Japan Airlines (JAL)

Instrument cases up to 115cm total dimensions may be carried on board as cabin baggage; larger instruments are handled as checked baggage subject to inquiry (per JAL official pages).

SS

SAS (Scandinavian Airlines)

Musical instruments are listed by SAS as special baggage (items over 158 cm total are special baggage)

TA

TUI Airways

Instruments larger than hand luggage dimensions must be checked in for an extra charge; mark as fragile

Good to know

Special items are the most common reason for surprise airport fees. The pattern across airlines: items that are part of your allowance travel free, items above it need a pre-booked sports/special allowance, and buying at the airport almost always costs more than pre-booking. Use the baggage checker for your airline's standard allowance first, then add the special-item rule from this page.

Packing decides most instrument outcomes: small instruments that fit the cabin size limits usually travel as hand baggage, larger ones either buy a seat or go in the hold in a hard case with the strings slackened and plenty of padding. Photograph the instrument before you travel and keep the airline's written policy for your fare with your booking — gate staff decisions vary, and the official text on this page is your reference.