How to bring musical instruments such as violin on board an airplane?

Traveling by plane can be overwhelming, especially if you plan on bringing your instrument with you! We wanted to give you some tips on how to best prepare your instrument (and yourself) for some common flying issues you may encounter on your next adventure.

Before flying, make sure you have a hard case to store your instrument. Soft cases aren't durable enough to withstand the turbulence of luggage and the pressure of cabin pressurization, so choose a hard case made of hard thermoplastic, wood, hardened foam, or carbon fiber to protect your instrument. Another case-related tip is to make sure your case has a luggage or instrument label. Hopefully, you'll never be separated from your instrument, but if that happens, having a label with your information on it can be very handy.

Looking inside your suitcase, there are a few things you can do before you fly. First, empty out any sharp objects. Some people like to carry nail clippers or other sharp tools in their suitcases, but picky TSA agents may confiscate these items, so it's best to be prepared ahead of time. This is also a good opportunity to check your humidifier. It is well known that humidity on airplanes can be very low, which can cause the wood of an instrument to shrink and eventually crack or develop gaps. An easy way to prevent this from happening is to make sure your humidifier is optimized so that your precious instrument doesn't experience drastic changes in humidity levels during or after a flight.

Speaking of the instrument itself, there are only a few things left to do before arriving at the airport, and most of them involve trying to release the tension on the instrument. The air pressure on an airplane is usually very high, so we try to relieve the pressure on the instrument by loosening the pegs slightly (about a full step or so) to relieve the tension on the bridge. Also, make sure your bow is loosened as well to relieve the tension on the bow. The last step is to wrap the instrument in a cloth or instrument bag..This will help maintain and regulate the temperature, especially when it's in those cold luggage compartments.

Now let's start traveling! Once you arrive at the airport, the first step is security. When you go through the X-ray machine, keep your instrument and bow in their case. This ensures they are protected and not jostled by other luggage passing through the conveyor belt. Sometimes, security may want to physically inspect the case, and that's totally fine. They may just need a few reminders on how to handle a delicate instrument!

Once you’ve passed through security, you’ve reached the final stage! When you arrive at the gate, ask the agent if they’ll allow you to board early so you can safely place your instrument in the overhead bin. Once on board, find an overhead bin close to your seat so you can focus on it. Sometimes people don’t realize there’s an instrument in the bin they want, so it’s helpful to let them know before they try to cram their suitcase’s wheels into your precious instrument!

Once you’ve boarded the plane and buckled up, your mission is complete. You can rest assured that you’ve done everything you could to keep your instrument safe and sound, and it should arrive at your destination safe and sound. Simply tune it back to pitch, tighten your bow, and you’ll be ready to play at your new destination. If you have any other tips and tricks you’ve used while traveling, be sure to share them in the comments. Safe travels, and happy practicing!

Note: These tips apply primarily to violins or violas, as cellos and double basses will most likely be placed below the cabin as checked baggage, or on the seat next to you if you choose to purchase a seat for your cello.