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Flying with Musical Instruments on American Airlines
Bringing Musical Instruments as Carry-On on American Airlines Flights
You can travel with small musical instruments as your carry-on item on a first come, first serve basis as long as it:
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Fits in the overhead bin; or
Fits under the seat in front of you
To make sure you have room to store your instrument, board as soon as your group is called, or buy Priority boarding. Please also note that the size of overhead bin space can vary by fleet type and also between aircraft in a fleet. For further information on the aircraft in your itinerary, please contact Reservations.
Buying an Additional Seat for your Intsrument on American Airlines
If your instrument doesn’t fit in the carry-on baggage space, you can choose to buy an additional seat which
Costs the applicable adult fare plus any applicable taxes or carrier-imposed fees
Is a bulkhead (divider) window seat (not in an Emergency Exit row)
Is directly next to yours
If you choose to buy an additional seat for your instrument, please note that seat baggage must not weigh more than 165 lbs. (75 kg) and must meet seat size restrictions based on airplane type.
Bringing Instruments as Checked Baggage on American Airlines
Your musical instrument can also be checked as baggage. The maximum size for checked baggage, including instruments, is 150 inches (381 cm), and the maximum weight is 165 lbs. (75 kg). Anything larger or heavier would need to be shipped via Cargo.
The minimum size of the aircraft cargo hold doors on aircraft is 25in high x 40in wide/63cm high x 101cm wide, the ERJ 170 is a bit smaller at 25in x 38in. If your musical instrument is larger, please contact reservations for the exact size of cargo hold doors on the aircraft in your journey.
Please note that due their fragile nature, American Airlines will only be liable for damages to musical instruments if:
Your instrument is in a hard-sided case
The outside of the case is visibly damaged
If your musical instrument needs to be checked, make sure it’s in a hard-sided case.
Comments / Discussion / Questions
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