Taking musical instruments
This page tells you the 3 ways you can safely bring your musical instrument with you; in your hand baggage, the seat next to you or in the hold.
It should go without saying, but always carry your instrument in a rigid protective case to avoid it getting bumped about.
In your hand baggage
If your instrument is small enough you can bring it onboard as part of your hand baggage, as long as you can place it in the overhead storage unaided.
The max size is 23 x 36 x 56cm (that's 9 x 14 x 22 inches) and should weigh no more than 10kg (or 22lb) if you're flying in Economy or Premium, or 12kg (26lb) in Upper Class.
In the seat next to you
You can bring a maximum of two instruments onboard if you book a seat for each one - This must be a window seat and can't be in an emergency exit row.
To book a seat for your musical instrument, please contact us.
It can go on the seat or on the floor directly in front of it. We'll ask you to secure it with the seatbelt. Extensions are available if you need one.
The max size allowed is 75kg or 165 lb, and its centre of mass should be no more than 30cm or 12 inches above the top of the seat cushion. This is to make sure it doesn't fall on anyone next to you.
The largest instrument we can fit in a seat is a cello. If it has a height adjustment spike, that needs to be removed beforehand and put in your checked in bag.
A double bass would be too large to be secured safely in the cabin, so we store those safely in the hold instead.
In the hold
We're happy to store larger musical instruments in the hold. You can take it as part of your checked in bag allowance, or pay an additional fee.
To avoid it getting damaged on the baggage belt, we’ll ask you to carry it through to the airport security checkpoint. We'll collect it from you at the departure gate for storage in the hold.