Guitar as carry-on from heathrow to dullest

Hi guys,

I was hoping to carry my electric guitar (soft-case) as a carry-on in addition to a personal item. I'm hoping I can get it on without problems and store in the cupboards or overhead compartment?

Any advice?

Thanks

[Darren Wheeler]

Welcome to V-Flyer

You can find the official line on musical instruments here
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/gb/en/tr ... ggage.html (scroll down)

Basically, it must fit within your carry-on allowance or go in the hold. The other option is to buy a separate seat for it.

[preiffer]

Unless you're in Upper - I see them stored in the closets every now and then.

I'm in economy.

So I should be okay carrying as a carry on then?

Thanks!

[preiffer]

If in Economy, no. As Darren said above (and check the link he posted).
A guitar won't fit in the hand baggage restrictions, and takes up too much of the overhead space in the economy cabin - so it'll either need to be checked into the hold or have its own seat purchased (?!)

You MAY get lucky at the airport and they MIGHT allow it onboard - but I'd go with 10:1 that won't happen, so don't plan on it.

But earlier you said they can get stored in the closets? Could that not happen?

Thanks

[Darren Wheeler]

It can/has happened for passengers in Upper Class where there is more closet space to passenger ratio. Highly unlikely it will happen in economy so best prepare for it going in the hold.

[preiffer]

If you're in Upper Class, I've seen them stored in the closets. But then Upper also has a larger cabin baggage allowance too - hence I said "unless you're in Upper".

As you're in Economy, I'm afraid the economy rules apply to you as well as everyone else. (Imagine a plane cabin where 300 people brought a guitar onboard )

For it to go in hold, I'd have to pay extra money then? Yes?

Or could I just put in hold for no charge?

What about people with strollers and baby seats.. do they pay extra?

Thanks

If you are forced to put the guitar in the hold, you will absolutely need a hard case. Otherwise ir will almost certainly be destroyed. Guitars have sensitive engineering and even a bad knock can ruin then if not properly packeged and looked after. And a "fragile" sticker make no difference what so ever.
The expense of a good quality hard case will be well worth the investment for this.

I've seen passengers in Y take on a guitar and the crew have stowed it in a UC closet, so it can be done. The thing is there is no guarantee, so unless you want to risk it, I'd do as suggested and put it in a hardcase for hold stowage.

I'm in economy.
So I should be okay carrying as a carry on then?

Even if you could, would you want to risk your guitar in an overhead crammed with unyielding cases?

I've twice (2008, 2009) carried-on a guitar in a hard case when travelling in PE from LAS - LGW. Just told the check-in agent I was carrying it on. They were fine and I wasn't challenged about it at any point. Asked for it to be stored in the cupboard. No problems. But of course my experience is no guarantee for you.