Which airlines can I take my guitar on? Flying with Popular Airlines

EU & USA Airline Policies for Travelling With a Guitar

Having recently had my fair share of struggles travelling with a guitar, this article seemed like a no brainer. With various different regulations for both European and United States airlines, it can be incredibly easy to get mixed up with which airlines allow for certain sizes, weights and types of guitars.

If you’re wondering which airlines you can take your guitar on, the short answer is ‘all of them’. However, there are various rules for each individual carriers which must be abided to ensure you’re not fined, so be sure to find the airline you’re travelling with in the list below!

Airlines in Europe

The vast majority of airlines in Europe will allow you to carry your guitar on to a flight, providing that it does not exceed their maximum weight. Fees will apply if the guitar does, but that doesn’t mean you cannot bring it on. Check out our table below which shows the excess charges and fees for the most popular airlines in Europe.

Airline	Take Guitar as Hand Luggage?	Dimensions	Special Baggage Price (If Applicable)	Exceeded Size Fees	More Information
Lufthansa	Yes	155 cm x 42 cm x 25 cm (stood in cabin) 110 cm x 42 cm x 50 cm (strapped to the seat)	Within EU (€200) International ($300)	€110/$126 Minimum	View Here
Ryanair	Yes	55cm x 40cm x 20cm	Fee Applicable	€50 above 20kg	View Here
Air France KLM	Yes	Up to 300cm/Max 32kg	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here
EasyJet	Yes	Up to 32kg	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here
FlyBe	Yes	Up to 20kg	£30/€40 Minimum	Fee Applicable	View Here
British Airways	Yes	80 x 45 x 25cm - Cannot exceed 75kg (for booked seats)	Fee Applicable	£20/€25/$30 Minimum	View Here
Virgin Atlantic	Yes	Cannot exceed 23kg	Fee Applicable	£45/$60 Minimum	View Here

Airlines in the United States

Whether an internal flight or international from the USA, the rules differ when it comes to travelling with a guitar (or any instrument). Take a look at what the most important allows allow and don’t allow when it comes to travelling with a guitar.

Airline	Take Guitar as Hand Luggage?	Dimensions	Special Baggage Price (If Applicable)	Exceeded Size Fees	More Information
American Airlines	Yes	63cm x 101cm/Up to 75kg	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here
Delta Airlines	Yes	Up to 200cm	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here
Southwest Airlines	Yes	Must not exceed 10"x16"x24"	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here
United Airlines	Yes	Up to 63x115 inches	Fee Applicable	$25	View Here
Air Canada	Yes	Must not exceed 162.5cm in length	Fee Applicable	Fee Applicable	View Here

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel with a guitar from my local/closest airport?

If you’re travelling within the EU or USA and live close to any airport, we can safely say that most commercial airlines and carriers will allow a guitar onboard.

Are guitars allowed on airplanes?

In a word… Yes!

How much does it cost to take a guitar on a plane?

Generally you can take a guitar as checked baggage, however if the case/instrument exceeds the airlines length restrictions then a fee will be charged. With popular airlines, fees start from £20/$25.
The same also goes if you’re travelling with equipment and accessories, such as bulky Wah Wah pedals or a large looping unit. Generally, a lighter travel guitar is also a good option, saving you from taking your most prized possession on potentially risky journeys.

Conclusion

My closing advice is simply this: do your research! Airlines change their policies all of the time, so be sure to check out the links in the table provided for your specific airline. I’ll be updating this post every few months to ensure all of the information is up to date.