Rating airlines' cabin policies for musicians traveling with instruments

mds725

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"The International Federation of Musicians has today published a 3-tiered rating system – based on how accommodating airlines’ cabin policies are for musicians traveling with instruments. The study found that at present only 11 airlines globally have set policies that state that they accept all musical instruments on board that fit within the overhead compartments or under a seat."

The rating system assigns each airline the color green (for airlines that "accept all musical instruments on board that fit within the overhead compartments or under a seat"), amber (for airlines that "do not currently comply with all US FAA regulations but that their size limitations for instruments are more favorable than those enforced on regular cabin luggage"), or red (for airlines that, "at the time of the study have policies that saw the same size limitations applied to musicians’ instruments as to regular cabin luggage").

Hawaiian Airlines was one of eleven airlines receiving a "green" rating"

Here's a link to the story:
https://www.theviolinchannel.com/airline-cabin-policy-rating-system-federation-musicians/

And here's a link to the IFM's ratings:
https://www.fim-musicians.org/airlines-list
 
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Thanks for posting this.

The info will come in handy the next time I go to book a flight. :)
 
I saw that online, and got a bit concerned as I have an upcoming flight on Virgin America - I think one of their branches got an amber and the other a red rating. I wrote to them and they replied back with this:
http://virginamerica.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/97/kw/instrument

So if anyone is flying Virgin and was concerned, looks like they are now in compliance. Still, I printed the email, their webpage and the DOT order to bring with me.
 
For my experience here in Asia, Qatar Airways would be the best. Air Asia the worst.
 
For what it is worth, I've never had a problem with United, even with a Tenor size (Either my FLuke, or my KoAloha) in a Hard Shell Case.

I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't have been able to fit either one in the overhead, if I used the Reunion Blues gig bag.
 
++ for Alaska. I called a rep before the flight and asked about carrying an instrument on. The rep said, "No problem." The baritone case fit easily in the overhead of a 737-800. Easy!
 
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