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Flying with Musical Instruments on United Airlines
Depending on their size, musical instruments on United Airlines can be carried on board, handled as checked baggage, or carried as cabin-seat baggage.
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In the case of customers who purchased a Basic Economy ticket, a small musical instrument may be carried on in addition to a small personal item, subject to the same conditions below. A larger musical instrument that does not fit in the overhead bin due to its size and is brought to the gate will be checked to your final destination and subject to the applicable checked baggage fees plus a $25 gate handling charge.
MileagePlus Premier® members, primary cardmembers of a qualifying MileagePlus credit card or Star AllianceTM Gold members who purchased a Basic Economy ticket, are subject to the existing musical instrument policy that allows one small musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage allowance.
Musical Instruments as Carry-on Baggage on United Airlines
As part of the allowance of one carry-on bag plus one personal item, a passenger may carry a violin, guitar or other small musical instrument on board the aircraft if:
- The instrument can be stowed in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of the passenger; and
- There is space for stowage at the time when the passenger boards the aircraft
Musical instruments transported on board United and United Express aircraft must be in hard-shell cases. It is recommended to purchase priority boarding in order to easily find space in the overhead bin.
Musical Instruments as Checked Baggage on United Airlines
An instrument should be packed in a hard-shell case to keep it protected during normal handling. Excess checked baggage service charges may apply if the customer is checking more than two items. Oversize charges apply to musical instruments that measure 63 - 115 linear inches. Overweight charges apply to musical instruments that are over 50 pounds, but musical instruments weighing up to 165 pounds will be accepted. If the instrument is over 115 linear inches, please contact the United Customer Contact Center.
Additionally, customers should loosen the strings on stringed instruments to protect the neck against damage caused by expansion and contraction, which can result from temperature variations during flight.
Musical Instruments as Cabin-seat Baggage on United Airlines
United will allow a customer to purchase a seat for a musical instrument that is too fragile or bulky to be handled as checked baggage.
United Airlines will allow a customer to purchase a ticket for an item, approved by a United agent, which is too fragile or bulky to be handled as checked baggage. These items can be carried on board and transported in a seat.
Examples of cabin-seat baggage may include large or valuable musical instruments, media cameras, artifacts, garment bags and similar items of a delicate nature or unusual size. Note that guitars are not considered cabin-seat baggage and customers traveling with guitars should continue to follow carry-on baggage guidelines.
The following restrictions apply:
- Must not exceed 165 pounds (75 kg).
- Must be packaged or covered in a manner to avoid injury to other customers.
- Must be secured in a seat adjacent to the owner.
- Must be properly secured by a seat belt to avoid shifting during flight.
- Must not restrict access to, or use of, any regular or emergency exit or aisle of the cabin.
- Must not obscure any customer's view of "seatbelt," "no smoking" or "exit" signage.
- Must not contain dangerous goods.
- Must be reserved in advance and applicable charges paid.
Please check with a United agent for pricing information.
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