Flying with a Musical Instrument

Kido

I'm going to Kuwait in a couple of weeks and my brother would really like me to take his tuba if I can. As I'm flying BA and have Premium Economy (or whatever they call it) I can put it in the hold no problem.

The question is, would they accept it in a "soft" very well padded case, or would it need to be in it's hard case which is bigger and heavier (especially for me to cart across London).

Are they likely to treat the instrument with respect or are they likely to just pile everything on top of it regardless. Either way it will be marked as Fragile. It would just be much easier for me if I could get away with the padded rather than the hard case.

Does anyone have any experience in flying with large musical instruments?

DomRavioli

Kido wrote: »

I'm going to Kuwait in a couple of weeks and my brother would really like me to take his tuba if I can. As I'm flying BA and have Premium Economy (or whatever they call it) I can put it in the hold no problem.

The question is, would they accept it in a "soft" very well padded case, or would it need to be in it's hard case which is bigger and heavier (especially for me to cart across London). As long as it packed suitably, they will take it.

Are they likely to treat the instrument with respect or are they likely to just pile everything on top of it regardless. Either way it will be marked as Fragile. It would just be much easier for me if I could get away with the padded rather than the hard case. It will usually get thrown in with everything else. You'd be stupid to take it in a soft padded bag; take it in the proper transport case.

Does anyone have any experience in flying with large musical instruments?

I've flown with a myriad of weird things, and you need to pack them to withstand being in the hold of a plane.

You need the transport case (thats the heavy, hard shelled case) if you want to fly with it. Why you thought you'd get special treatment I have no idea, but to a carrier, its just another piece of luggage unless you pay to have it treated differently.

You may also want to contact BA (I suggest by phone) to advise you're taking it abroad as they are usually subjected to enhanced security checks (people hide a lot of things in them), and as an oversize piece of luggage (most tuba hard cases are pretty large) you'd want to get their official word on them.

PeteDoff

DomRavioli wrote: »

I've flown with a myriad of weird things.

Me too, but I won't name any of them here.

When I stared my first job (many, many, many decades ago) I packed a parcel, the boss arrived and said "I'm going to throw it out of the top floor window and if it breaks it comes out of your wages, is that OK? I said Noooooooooooooooo!!!
He (quite rightly) said, "then pack the damn thing properly" - or words to that effect.

I have never forgotten or ignored that. It applies to post or baggage, if you take any.

Flugelhorn

I wouldn't risk a Tuba in a soft case, really not a good idea.. best to find some other way to get across lLondon if that is the problem

Mands

Kido wrote: »

I'm going to Kuwait in a couple of weeks and my brother would really like me to take his tuba if I can. As I'm flying BA and have Premium Economy (or whatever they call it) I can put it in the hold no problem.

How big is it? Taking it as hand luggage might be an option.
Mands

http://www.britishairways.com/en-cy/information/baggage-essentials/sporting-goods-and-musical-instruments

Musical instruments can be taken on board as part of your free hand baggage allowance providing they fit within the maximum bag dimensions. Where possible, we'll also try and accommodate instruments that are slightly larger.

What's my free hand baggage allowance?

Larger instruments can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance or as part of an additional purchased allowance if required. We'll even carry instruments larger and heavier than the standard checked baggage limits, up to 45kg (99lb) and 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in), providing you notify us at least 24 hours before your flight. Instruments over 23kg may incur a heavy bag charge.

bagand96

Don't even consider taking it in the soft case.