how can/should i take my guitar with me on a plane?

Question

I will be travelling from Heathrow to Cape Town South Africa. The plane is an Airbus A340 and the airline is SAA (South African Airways)

Answer 1

I don't they'll let you carry it on so you'll probably have it sent below with the rest of the luggage.

Answer 2

A decent flight case is not hard to find - Hiscox cases good, I've used them for this. You can throw them about a fair bit and the guitar comes out fine. These days you won't get it in the cabin. Make sure the catches are good, lock it, and put some straps round for safety (but tie away any hanging bits)

Answer 3

From SAA's Website:

Can I take a musical instrument with me?

The carriage of certain musical instruments is permitted in the cabin of the aircraft and on extra seat(s). The musical instruments must not contain any equipment or article or substance, which is, classified as dangerous goods.

As cabin baggage:

Portable musical instruments may be carried in the cabin of the aircraft as approved cabin baggage under the following conditions. These apply to all classes except where specified:

• The total of the three outside dimensions (L plus B plus H) of the instrument must not exceed 115cms. When a carrying case is used, the dimensions of the carrying case are to be considered. If the instrument or the case has an irregular shape, the largest dimension must be taken to arrive at the overall total.

• The shape and size should fit under the seat in front of the passenger or in the overhead lockers.

• The weight of the instrument inclusive of the carrying case must not exceed 7kgs.

• Musical instruments, which conform to the above size and weight limitations, will be considered as one Item of cabin baggage. Therefore, passengers travelling in First/Business class may carry only one more Item of cabin baggage with dimensions not exceeding 52 x 40 x 23 cms. Passengers travelling in Economy class will not be allowed to carry any other cabin bag.

• It is highly recommended that the musical instrument be carried or packed in a custom built carrying case to protect it from damage. If it is not carried in a carrying case, the instrument must not have any sharp corners, which might damage other cabin bags or the aircraft panels.

On extra seat(s) in the cabin:

Passengers may carry musical instruments in the cabin of the aircraft on a seat(s). Please notify your local South African Airways Reservations Office of your intention to carry a musical instrument on an extra seat at the time of reservation. Information regarding size/weight must be provided and the extra seat must be booked and paid for. It is not acceptable for the instrument to occupy an empty seat, which has not been paid for. Your local South African Airways Office will inform you of the additional charges for the additional seat.

No more than 75kgs may be carried under this arrangement per seat blocked. The passenger will not receive any additional free checked baggage allowance for the purchase of the extra seat.

If you do not wish to carry the musical instrument in the cabin, it can travel in the hold as checked baggage. Contact your local South African Airways Office for details

General guide on the musical instruments and method of carriage:

The following is a general guideline detailing how certain musical instruments may normally be carried. The final decision would depend on the overall size and weight or exceptions, if applicable.

Guitar Hold stowage or extra seat


The main thing is that the item HAS to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you with out blocking the floor space at your feet.

Answer 4

Get a hardcase as otherwise, your guitar will definitely be ruined. You have to check it in (even if you're not carrying any other hand luggage as it is too big to fit into the overhead storage compartment.).

Answer 5

You can also ask if they will do a gate check - kind of like familes with strollers do. They'll take it from you when you board the plane and then bring it out when you land. It's usually waiting on the gangplank/hallway.

Answer 6

I doubt they will allow you to carry it on, I have always just locked and checked my hard case. I don't know if it is necessary or not, but I also always loosen the strings just in case the pressure may effect them and possibly damage the guitar.

Answer 7

Just get a hardcase for it (if you don't already have one) and put your name on it and put it on the plane as luggage or ship it to the place you are staying at.

Answer 8

Look, ... Beatrice Kiddo, in "Kill Bill" took her Hanza sword on board the plane with her. I see nooo reason why you can't take a deadly guitar with you!!
Go for it!!

Answer 9

Is this what people mean by "air guitar"

Answer 10

just walk on humming and a strumming if you have no hard case