Ukes on a Plane?!

cMejilla

cMejilla

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2007
Messages
316
Reaction score
6
Location
Philly, PA
Hey everybody

I'm wondering if anyone has encountered any problems with bringing an 'ukulele onto an airplane while traveling. More specifically, traveling internationally. I've looked up some information about carrying on instruments in general and its usually not allowed or I'd have to ... check in the uke in a case :eek:. I'm studying abroad for a year and I wouldn't want my uke destroyed without mercy in the depths of a plane and I especially wouldn't survive an entire year without playing the uke.:(

Any insights would be greatly appreciated
 
I just made a trip to Taiwan with my Kanile'a super soprano two weeks ago. I have a wheeled small suitcase/bag and the uke as a carry on. I took a Northwest flight to LA and a EVA Air flight to Taiwan. The only time anyone from either airline commented on the uke either direction was at the EVA Air checkin counter at LA heading toward Taiwan, where the lady said the gate agent might ask me to check the instrument. But she added that it wasn't likely and no one ended up even looked at my uke case. Just don't bring any attention to it and you should be fine. Worst case scenario ask them to put it in the coat closet for you.

During the trip I noticed several people walking around at the airport with a guitar case on their backs. I don't think they'd let anyone check it at the gate.
 
All I know is be ready for problems to begin,, I fly frequently on American Northwest delta and Hawaiian and have never ever had a problem carrying on a uke. That said...with all the airlines now operating at losses with fuel rising and the cuts to one free bag per customer checkin .( tryting to lower fight aircraft weight for fuel efficency)...caryon is starting to be a high premium and more are trying to carry on what once was there second bag check in. Compound this now with (i won't say who but when one does it the rest generally follow) an airline starting to CHARGE for even the first check in bag $15.00 that everyone will be trying to bring a large carry ons causing the restrictions which were previously lax to become enforced and well Not to many concert and tenor cases pass the length requirement for carry ons.. It was good while it lasted oh well
 
MGM said:
Not to many concert and tenor cases pass the length requirement for carry ons.. It was good while it lasted oh well
Click to expand...

Thanks for the speedy input MGM. Always a big help.

GX9901 said:
I just made a trip to Taiwan with my Kanile'a super soprano two weeks ago. I have a wheeled small suitcase/bag and the uke as a carry on. I took a Northwest flight to LA and a EVA Air flight to Taiwan. The only time anyone from either airline commented on the uke either direction was at the EVA Air checkin counter at LA heading toward Taiwan, where the lady said the gate agent might ask me to check the instrument. But she added that it wasn't likely and no one ended up even looked at my uke case. Just don't bring any attention to it and you should be fine. Worst case scenario ask them to put it in the coat closet for you.
Click to expand...

I guess I'll have to mull it over since a super soprano doesn't exactly measure up to a tenor size. Btw, I saw your YT video for your kanile'a super soprano and it was an great review to put into perspective the quality of kanile'a. I think it may be time for me to invest in a quality soprano so I have an easier carry on.
 
ukesonaplane.jpg


best bet would be yeah a soprano, or a fluke or flea. Victoria Vox brought hers on a plane in a little string backpack thing and she actually was requested to play it on there.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=CQNe9wMZGys
Good Luck!
 
Last edited:
There have been just such discussions over on the Ukulele Cosmos board, there have been many people posting in but no one with any refusals to be allowed on a plane.

Most airlines have a policy towards musicians, check with who you are flying with to find out thier attitude. On the whole as long as your case fits into the overhead locker(and as long as there is only one of them in adition to your hand luggage) you should be fine.

The British Musicians' union have organised an official policy on this for all BAA airports, it might be good to see if the American union has a similar deal with local handlers.

My advice from previous experience is always to check first, especially if you value your instrument. 9 times out of 10 you should be fine.

Jack33
 
I fly pretty often for my job and always bring a uke with me. I have been on little 9 passenger crop dusters up to big 777 with my Tenor and case. I have yet to have any issues. With the size of some of the carry ons people are bringing on planes now adays it would be wise to try and get on the plane earlier rather than later, so there is a place to put it.
 
But MGM is right. Times are getting worse for in-flight luxuries, not better. If you didn't have a problem 6 months to a year ago, doesn't make it valid now. And I'd agree, I bet it is 9 out of 10 times you'll be trouble-free. But that 10th time is usually on long haul flights.

I'd say try to keep it with you as long as you can, and don't attract attention to it. Shoulder it away from their eyes with your body. If they refuse it at the gate, only then check it in. My theory, and I don't know if it's right, is that if it's the last in, then it goes on top of cargo and not on the bottom. Then it's first out as well.
 
Hey Folks,

My theory on this is to never fly with an instrument that I'm not prepared to loose. My travel companion has always been my Lanikai tenor. I've previously never had any problems flying with it...but we'll see. If I had to gate check it unexpectedly and it was damaged, I'd be rather annoyed. (Especially since I couldn't play it on vacation). But annoyed sure beats crying in my beer if the same thing happened to my KoAloha.

That being said, I might have to look into a soprano for flying; just to be absolutely safe (I hate confrontation). And it's an excuse to buy another ukulele. :) But who needs an excuse?

-John
 
Also, the smaller the instrument, the better. I was able to stuff my Ohana sopranino (Thanks, MGM!) in my carry-on with my shoes, socks and undies. So it was part of my one carry-on and not an extra item.
 
Check your airline for their baggage restrictions. Besides checked luggage, most will allow you one carry-on (45" length+width+height) and one personal item (36" l+w+h).

When we travel Rich has his tenor as his carry-on, plus our backpack as his personal item.

I have my concert as my personal item, and our cat (in her carrier) is my carry-on.

Here's a link to TSA's policy: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1235.shtm

Kim
 
I've traveled with an ukulele in hand EVERYTIME I've flown for the past several years. I even fly internationally from stateside to guam. My route goes through either hawaii or japan. No big hangups from anyone. Plus, I traveled many times with my cheap hilo not in a case or anything.

Last time I flew I had 1 big carry on, 1 backpack, 1 small sports bag, 1 guitar in a gator hardcase, and 1 ukulele in its case. I made it through with only 1 lady in japan telling me off. That made for a grand total of 5 carry-ons! It seems like those carry-on rules are more like guidelines. BTW, they had no problem sticking my guitar hardcase in the cabin closet. My tenor uke that I bought from MGM fit either in the overhead compartment or on the floor near my feet.

It seems like as long as you are the one carrying all the stuff and you don't need help, they seem to leave you alone. Of course, they still have to go through all the normal measures like xrays and opening em up if something looks suspicious.

I wouldn't be too worried about having your ukulele in hand on the plane.
 
Last edited:
I've flown from the states to the caribbean multiple times with my concert sized uke, and have never once had a problem. It has always fit in overhead bins, even on smaller planes.

You should have no problems if you have a smaller ukulele.
 
I think I feel more comforted now knowing that so many of you have already traveled with it.
 
Well I went from
Honolulu ,Vancouver,Toronto and finally to Moncton last month with my tenor and my backpack as carry on .Nobody said anything except at the security check one worker asked if this was a good ukulele and asked permission to see it ,So I said sure go ahead.His expression was pricelless when he saw my Kanilea.I Assume he was a uke player.Oh and that was 3 different airlines.
 
i wouldnt be allowed to have an ukulele on a plane because i would openly tell the stewardiss that if she doesnt get me a drink NOW, i will take off the strings, put em around her neck and drag her up and down the isle.


:)


im just saying this because THE DAMN STEWARD DUDE DIDNT GET MY FREAKIN DRINK THE LAST TIME I WAS ON A PLANE!

I WAS IN FIRST CLASS TOO!


if you would use your ukulele as a weapon you are my friend.

haha.
 
nikolo727 said:
i wouldnt be allowed to have an ukulele on a plane because i would openly tell the stewardiss that if she doesnt get me a drink NOW, i will take off the strings, put em around her neck and drag her up and down the isle.


:)


im just saying this because THE DAMN STEWARD DUDE DIDNT GET MY FREAKIN DRINK THE LAST TIME I WAS ON A PLANE!

I WAS IN FIRST CLASS TOO!


if you would use your ukulele as a weapon you are my friend.

haha.
Click to expand...

Remind me not to cross nikolo if I see a Uke anywhere in the vacinity ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

geoffsuke
ukes on a plane - i did it!!
Replies
10
Views
840
ukemonster
ukemonster
PihSant
Ukes on a plane!!!
2
Replies
30
Views
2K
pingraham
P
Wildjoy
Enya mahogany ukes
Replies
15
Views
344
KohanMike
KohanMike
B
  • Poll
How many ukes have you got? (expanded poll)
2
Replies
21
Views
520
dr_mitch
dr_mitch
Captain Simian
Rock musicians who collect ukes
Replies
10
Views
498
Slooky
Slooky
Top Bottom