December 24, 2024
By Nicolette Foss
The allowed parameters of carry-on luggage can be stress-inducing for musicians. You may think, “How will my odd-shaped dulcimer fit on an airplane?” If you’ve ever questioned whether or not you can carry your musical instrument onboard a plane with you, question no further. It is actually American federal law that musical instruments can be treated as a carry-on, as long as your instrument falls under certain guidelines.
Let’s clarify this topic so you can easily take your hammered dulcimer on your next adventure with no stress! Here we go.
It’s the Law!
Section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 has enabled us to bring our musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage of an airplane. In the past, musicians had difficulty taking their precious instruments onboard. However, this rule became effective March 6, 2015, so there is absolutely no debate.
The Federal Register lays out the Department of Transportation’s rules and regulations regarding this matter:
251.3 Small musical instruments as carry-on baggage.
“Each covered carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other small musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if:
(a) The instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA; and
(b) There is space for such stowage at the time the passenger boards the aircraft.”
251.4 Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage.
“Each covered carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of § 251.3 in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the cost of an additional ticket described in paragraph (e) of this section, if:
(a) The instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury to other passengers;
(b) The weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft;
(c) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA;
(d) Neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States; and
(e) The passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.”
Luckily, many of our hammered dulcimer models can fit the average-sized overhead bins, including our Fledglings, Chickadee, Chickadee Chromatic, Wanderer, and Voyageur hammered dulcimers. These models make wonderful travel companions!
But what if your hammered dulcimer is too big for the overhead bin?
251.5 Large musical instruments as checked baggage.
“Each covered carrier shall transport as baggage a musical instrument that is the property of a passenger traveling in air transportation that may not be carried in the aircraft cabin if
(a) The sum of the length, width, and height measured in inches of the outside linear dimensions of the instrument (including the case) does not exceed 150 inches or the applicable size restrictions for the aircraft;
(b) The weight of the instrument does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft; and
(c) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA.”
Our Phoebe, Phoebe Chromatic, Swift Compact Chromatic, Finch, Finch Chromatic, and Finch Chromatic Pro are more likely to not fit in the overhead bin. Therefore the only options for these would be either to check it into checked baggage or buy a seat for it.
As we all know, checked baggage can be a gamble if your instrument isn’t well-packed or in a sturdy case. It is not guaranteed that your cargo will make it to the destination in one piece. We recommend you only go this route with caution.
Yes, You Can Bring Your Hammered Dulcimer on a Plane
To sum it up, you can bring your hammered dulcimer onto an airplane as a carry-on, provided it has a case and it fits under the seat or in the overhead storage bin. Airlines carry-on size requirements don’t apply as long as your instrument is in compliance with Section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Otherwise, you will have to check it into checked baggage if you do not decide to buy an extra seat for your instrument.
We hope this information lifts some stress off your shoulders as you prepare for your flight. As an added precaution, consider printing off this Federal Register Bulletin which outlines these rules and regulations. That way, you can be assured there will be no hassle at the baggage counter or, even worse, onboard your airplane! We wish you a safe and pleasant flight.
About the author: In her childhood, Nicolette Foss could be found playing underneath piles of sawdust in her father’s hammered dulcimer workshop. She helped with odds and ends in the business and learned the importance of hard work. Nicolette still works for the business today, running festival booths with her dad Chris, putting strings on dulcimers, and managing Songbird’s social media. If you’d like to hire Nicolette for content writing or copywriting work, contact her at: nicolettelady@protonmail.com