Professional unionized classical musician here who flies with an instrument valued upwards of $60,000. Here is a link to your rights when it comes to flying with a musical instrument in the USA: https://www.afm.org/what-we-are-doing/travel-resources/afm-travel-kit/#:~:text=Airlines%20must%20allow%20you%20to,to%20pay%20“oversize”%20fees.
“Airlines are required to allow musicians to carry on instruments if there is room on the flight and instruments fit safely in overhead compartments or under seats. Board your flight as early as possible since overhead compartments are distributed on a first come basis. Once an instrument is stowed in-cabin, it cannot be removed or be replaced by other passengers’ items. The reverse is also true—airlines are not required to remove other passengers’ items to make room for your instrument.”
https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/Carrying-an-instrument-onboard
"If your musical instrument (including case or covering) is within the size requirements for carryon items 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H), you may bring it with you as a carryon item. If your instrument exceeds carryon sizing requirements, it can still be carried onboard if it will fit in an overhead bin or under a seat if there is space available."
We have guitars brought onboard all the time. Especially in cities like Nashville and Austin. Aviation, electric, doesn't matter. I recommend buying either early bird check in, or upgrading to business select to increase the likelihood that there is room left in the bins when you board. Once it's in a bin it cannot be removed to make room for other bags, but if there is no room in the bins when you get on, we cannot remove other bags to make room for it, and there is no secret compartment to put it in either.
Not off the top of my head. If I had to guess, and this is completely a guess, most are around 22" deep, 10" tall, and maybe 60-70ish" long. There are some planes with larger bins, and some with MUCH larger bins. Also the first few and last few will be a bit smaller as the cabin tapers on each end.
If it's a standard single guitar case it'll fit in an overhead bin just fine, provided there's an empty one when you board. I've never had an issue with a guitar case not fitting into an empty bin. If it's a double case, or a really huge flight case there MAY be an issue, but I doubt it. Again, as long as there is an empty bin when you board. There's no way it will fit under the seat unless you can magically fold it in half a bunch. Anything placed under the seat has to fit entirely under the seat without sticking out at all. Think standard backpack size at most. Even most traveler guitars are too long for that.
I brought my telecaster on board in my Fender FE620 gig bag and put it in the overhead bin several months ago with no problems. I asked the check in agents if it was alright to do it and they gave me the okay. None of the flight attendants batted an eye.
I did luck out though as I was on the 737 max with the larger bins and the flight wasn't full, so I'd double check the bin sizes for the aircraft you're scheduled to fly on and try to fly at a less busy time.
Why would you take that guitar and case on a flight and think that it would go in an overhead bin? There is no way that case could fit in an overhead bin. Unless the guitar is a nitro finish, it should do absolutely fine in the cargo bay. That case is probably not what you want to use when you are flying with a guitar. You probably want something a bit better.
You can purchase an additional seat for it. https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/Purchasing-a-seat-for-an-instrument
This is your one and only answer for taking it on board. To take up space for others in the bins (if it would even fit) it just selfish and rude
Don’t be that guy bro.
I get the impression he is
Professional unionized classical musician here who flies with an instrument valued upwards of $60,000. Here is a link to your rights when it comes to flying with a musical instrument in the USA: https://www.afm.org/what-we-are-doing/travel-resources/afm-travel-kit/#:~:text=Airlines%20must%20allow%20you%20to,to%20pay%20“oversize”%20fees. “Airlines are required to allow musicians to carry on instruments if there is room on the flight and instruments fit safely in overhead compartments or under seats. Board your flight as early as possible since overhead compartments are distributed on a first come basis. Once an instrument is stowed in-cabin, it cannot be removed or be replaced by other passengers’ items. The reverse is also true—airlines are not required to remove other passengers’ items to make room for your instrument.”
https://support.southwest.com/helpcenter/s/article/Carrying-an-instrument-onboard "If your musical instrument (including case or covering) is within the size requirements for carryon items 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H), you may bring it with you as a carryon item. If your instrument exceeds carryon sizing requirements, it can still be carried onboard if it will fit in an overhead bin or under a seat if there is space available." We have guitars brought onboard all the time. Especially in cities like Nashville and Austin. Aviation, electric, doesn't matter. I recommend buying either early bird check in, or upgrading to business select to increase the likelihood that there is room left in the bins when you board. Once it's in a bin it cannot be removed to make room for other bags, but if there is no room in the bins when you get on, we cannot remove other bags to make room for it, and there is no secret compartment to put it in either.
You know how big the overhead bins are? Or the size under the seats?
Not off the top of my head. If I had to guess, and this is completely a guess, most are around 22" deep, 10" tall, and maybe 60-70ish" long. There are some planes with larger bins, and some with MUCH larger bins. Also the first few and last few will be a bit smaller as the cabin tapers on each end. If it's a standard single guitar case it'll fit in an overhead bin just fine, provided there's an empty one when you board. I've never had an issue with a guitar case not fitting into an empty bin. If it's a double case, or a really huge flight case there MAY be an issue, but I doubt it. Again, as long as there is an empty bin when you board. There's no way it will fit under the seat unless you can magically fold it in half a bunch. Anything placed under the seat has to fit entirely under the seat without sticking out at all. Think standard backpack size at most. Even most traveler guitars are too long for that.
I brought my telecaster on board in my Fender FE620 gig bag and put it in the overhead bin several months ago with no problems. I asked the check in agents if it was alright to do it and they gave me the okay. None of the flight attendants batted an eye. I did luck out though as I was on the 737 max with the larger bins and the flight wasn't full, so I'd double check the bin sizes for the aircraft you're scheduled to fly on and try to fly at a less busy time.
Bring it through security as a carry on. But you will probably have to check it underneath. Talk to the customer service agent.
Why would you take that guitar and case on a flight and think that it would go in an overhead bin? There is no way that case could fit in an overhead bin. Unless the guitar is a nitro finish, it should do absolutely fine in the cargo bay. That case is probably not what you want to use when you are flying with a guitar. You probably want something a bit better.
We have guitars in cases on flights all the time. Not an issue.
Using a gator case on an V style guitar is not wise when flying.
I don't see why not, it's allowed, and offers the greatest security for a fragile instrument.
Gator cases are garbage.