Booking a seat on a flight for a guitar...?

StuartMac290

How does it work? Can you do it online or do you have to call? I was thinking of doing it via Expedia but it seems impossible, as it wants me to add passenger details.

Jalapeno

Name: Musical Instrument

That's how I did it. I know somebody else did the same with a 'Cello.  (EasyJet in both cases)

HAL9000

You'd get two lots of in-flight meals. I'm not sure if that's a good thing though.

More seriously, I'd imagine you'd have to talk to the airline. Booking a seat online I suspect you'll always be asked for passport details etc.

StuartMac290

Jalapeno said:

Name: Musical Instrument

That's how I did it. I know somebody else did the same with a 'Cello.  (EasyJet in both cases)

Cool - in the past Expedia required a passport number, but hopefully that's changed.

Any hassles doing this? From staff or anything unexpected to deal with?

Gassage

StuartMac290 said:

How does it work? Can you do it online or do you have to call? I was thinking of doing it via Expedia but it seems impossible, as it wants me to add passenger details.

It is now JAL/FAA rules that you may take a guitar on a flight.

merlin

If it's in a soft case like a mono you can stow it in the overhead but check with the airline first. It is allowed just some flight attendants and check in staff can be a bit unpleasant. 

Chris_J

https://www.easyjet.com/en/terms-and-conditions/music-instruments

Gassage

One thing I have done in the past- if you've a bolt on neck tele that's maybe not that valuable- unscrew the neck, place in hand luggage, reassemble at other end. Simple

StuartMac290

Nah, it's a Gibson Advanced Jumbo and a Gretsch Country Club. Both a bit on the delicate side so I'm a bit nervous. 

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Ravenous

StuartMac290 said:

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Holy crap, Ryanair? They'll probably lash it onto the roof rack

HAL9000

StuartMac290 said:

Nah, it's a Gibson Advanced Jumbo and a Gretsch Country Club. Both a bit on the delicate side so I'm a bit nervous. 

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Stick 'em in a cello case then.

You can thank me later.

Gassage

StuartMac290 said:

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

They're clearly on the fiddle.

HAL9000

Gassage said:

StuartMac290 said:

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

They're clearly on the fiddle.

Threaten with mindless violins.

Modellista

StuartMac290 said:

Nah, it's a Gibson Advanced Jumbo and a Gretsch Country Club. Both a bit on the delicate side so I'm a bit nervous. 

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Leave them at home and use cheaper, more easily replaceable instruments.  I barely trust baggage handlers with my clothes, let alone a delicate, much-loved guitar.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Breaks_Guitars

Jalapeno

merlin said:

If it's in a soft case like a mono you can stow it in the overhead but check with the airline first. It is allowed just some flight attendants and check in staff can be a bit unpleasant. 

This for sure.

andyp

This is topical. Was reading on the Guitar Nerds Facebook page today that one of the guys has been told he is not allowed to carry his guitar onboard. This is British Airways, long haul to Japan. I think it can be checked into the hold at extra cost though. How does this work for temperature / pressure etc? Is this a big no-no?

People must put instruments on planes (in some form or another) all the time surely?

StuartMac290

andyp said:

This is topical. Was reading on the Guitar Nerds Facebook page today that one of the guys has been told he is not allowed to carry his guitar onboard. This is British Airways, long haul to Japan. I think it can be checked into the hold at extra cost though. How does this work for temperature / pressure etc? Is this a big no-no?

People must put instruments on planes (in some form or another) all the time surely?

We're flying to Japan next year for some shows and I'vee already resigned myself to putting the guitars in the hold for those flights anyway, as paying for two extra seats both ways to Japan is a bit costly. 

Hiscox Artist cases it is, then. 

Gassage

andyp said:

This is topical. Was reading on the Guitar Nerds Facebook page today that one of the guys has been told he is not allowed to carry his guitar onboard. This is British Airways, long haul to Japan. I think it can be checked into the hold at extra cost though. How does this work for temperature / pressure etc? Is this a big no-no?

People must put instruments on planes (in some form or another) all the time surely?

For scheduled flight covered by FAA/JAL regs, you can take on board.

If you travel first or biz, no issues.

Hold - if the skipper remembers to switch the heating on, then fine. But often they don't if no livestock in the hold.

Mind you if you want a reliced guitar with checking ....

Teetonetal

StuartMac290 said:

Nah, it's a Gibson Advanced Jumbo and a Gretsch Country Club. Both a bit on the delicate side so I'm a bit nervous. 

Interesting that easyJet say guitars have to go in the hold and they'll only allow cellos on a seat. 

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Do not put guitars that matter to you in the hold. For one, they can easily get lost or even bumped to another flight. 2nd, baggage handlers do not care one bit about the contents of your luggage. If you must put them in the hold, then best case available, support and weak points (for an acoustic I'd fill the body with socks. and get clingfilm wrapped. Oh and take out insurance that will cover the full cost of replacement.

AustrianJohn

Ravenous said:

StuartMac290 said:

Looks like I'll be buying better cases and paying the Ryanair checked baggage fee

Holy crap, Ryanair? They'll probably lash it onto the roof rack

With Ryanair (spit) you pay for a second seat and use the name Mister Guitar (or something like that). But you also need to check in for yourself AND for the guitar (using your passport number). Something they don't bother to tell you until you turn up at the airport. Then they charge you an extra £40 or so for checking in the guitar at the airport, but don't give you a receipt for the £40, or a boarding pass for the guitar - but just piss you off and take your money.

If you have ANY other option - don't fly with Ryanair.

stickyfiddle

Gassage said:

andyp said:

This is topical. Was reading on the Guitar Nerds Facebook page today that one of the guys has been told he is not allowed to carry his guitar onboard. This is British Airways, long haul to Japan. I think it can be checked into the hold at extra cost though. How does this work for temperature / pressure etc? Is this a big no-no?

People must put instruments on planes (in some form or another) all the time surely?

For scheduled flight covered by FAA/JAL regs, you can take on board.

If you travel first or biz, no issues.

Hold - if the skipper remembers to switch the heating on, then fine. But often they don't if no livestock in the hold.

Mind you if you want a reliced guitar with checking ....

While this is true contractually, if they decide to deny you access to the plane while carrying your guitar, you have a choice of missing the flight or checking the guitar.