New Rules for Musical Instruments on Planes Take Flight

Musicians will get a New Year’s gift with a new airline requirement on how musical instruments are transported.

Over the past year, DOT has been seeking to address the well documented difficulties musicians have been experiencing when traveling by air with their prized musical instruments.

The ruling states that US-based Airlines must allow small musical instruments, such as violins or guitars, to be carried into the cabin and stowed in approved stowage spaces, if available, and/or under the seat. However, the caveat is the availability of approved storage spaces.

DOT encouraged passengers traveling with musical instruments to take steps to try to board early to ensure that space will be available for them.

Airlines also cannot charge an additional fee for the instruments other than the standard carry-on baggage fee.

“We applaud the efforts of Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and our AFM allies in Congress for the new administrative ruling on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2012,” states American Federation of Musicians International President Ray Hair. “For many years, AFM members have been subject to very arbitrary and contradictory size and weight requirements imposed by each airline for musical instruments that are carried on board the airplane or checked as baggage. Airlines will now follow a consistent policy for all musicians traveling with instruments.”

In a bid to help musicians navigate the process of bringing their instruments on board,  Airlines are required to train all air crews, gate agents, counter agents, and baggage personnel concerning appropriate procedures necessary to comply with all FAA musical instrument transportation policies.

The new rule goes into effect at the end of February.

The full ruling can be accessed here.