Are musicians allowed to check-in more than 2 items of luggage each into the hull? Musicians Union says...?

Question

... you can (I think). But some airlines refuse to accept this on certain return flights I have been on.

Are all airports/airlines obliged to accept this rule stated by the Musicians Union in Europe?

Answer 1

The Muscians Union has no say over the airlines. It is up to the individual airline as to what they will and will not allow. Best contact them direct.

Answer 2

Each airline has it´s own baggage policy. Most allow musical instruments to be carried as hand luggageif the instrument is no larger than a guitar.

British Airways: Musical instruments



  Question

  Can I take a musical instrument on board the aircraft?

  Answer

  Yes, you can take a musical instrument as hand baggage, checked baggage or on a seat purchased for this purpose.

Taking a musical instrument as hand baggage

You can carry a musical instrument as hand baggage if the item is guitar sized or smaller.

If you are travelling from or via the UK, you can carry your musical instrument as an additional free piece of hand baggage. However, if you are travelling into the UK, the instrument will be considered as part of your hand baggage allowance.

Taking a musical instrument as checked baggage

If your musical instrument is larger than a guitar it must be carried as checked baggage.

Checked baggage -Exceptional items

Buying a seat for your musical instrument

It may be possible to purchase an extra seat for your musical instrument, depending on availability.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ask...

Virgin Atlantic: CARRIAGE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Passengers carrying one musical instrument in its case, which is too large to fit within the cabin baggage allowance, may carry it through the airport security checkpoint subject to the relevant Airport Authority approval, where it will be taken at the departure gate for loading into the hold of the aircraft.

This item will incur excess baggage charges if it is in excess of your free baggage allowance.

Please contact us in advance, if you have any questions or if you plan to carry a large musical instrument.

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/pas...

Easyjet:

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments will only be permitted to be carried in the cabin and placed into the overhead locker if space is available and strictly subject to the Captain's discretion. The instrument including its carry case must not exceed the dimensions 30 x 117 x 38cms. Instruments which fit into this category include violin, viola, piccolo, flute, clarinet, bugle and trumpet. (See our carrier’s regulations for full details of fees).

Any instrument which exceeds the dimensions 30 x 117 x 38cms must be checked in as checked-baggage. The maximum weight for any single piece of baggage is 32 kgs.

http://easyjet.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/easy...

The Musical Union says: "The Musicians’ Union has expressed delight at the news that the Department for Transport has agreed to ease strict airline security measures in the case of professional musicians.

The Union has repeatedly highlighted how the livelihood of numerous musicians has been under threat as a result of the limitations placed on hand luggage following the fear of terrorist activity. The Department has stated that professional musicians travelling to domestic or overseas engagements from UK airports will now be allowed to carry their instruments into aircraft cabins as hand luggage."

http://www.musiciansunion.org.uk/site/cm...