How To Take a Ukulele on a Plane?

[TinkOhio]

DD attends a school near WDW and left her beloved ukulele at home. I'm flying down to see her soon and will be bringing her ukulele to her. What a is a safe way to bring it on the plane? My luggage is not hard-sided, so I'm afraid to check it. If I put it in my carry on bag, it might get damaged when the overhead compartment is closed. It's probably too long to fit under the seat. Any suggestions?

 

[tjmw2727]

My dd carries hers on with her often- she just puts it in the overhead but it does have a slightly padded case. It would fit under the seat in front as well if you wanted to put your carryon in the overhead instead.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yeah, in a case as your carry on. No, it probably won't fit u see the seat. I have mine next to a 20" canvas, so I think it's 22" long. You could look for a box that just fits it, then wrap it in clothing, put it in the box, and put the box in your carry on. If your airline allows 24"x_x_ in the overhead.

 

[seashoreCM]

Can you get a hard sided case for the ukulele? Then DD won't have to worry about gate checking or checking it in the future as she brings it back and forth between school and home.

 

[Wild4Walt]

Carry on for sure unless you can get your hands on a hard sided, locking case. That would be the only way I would check it and even then it doesn't protect it from being mis-routed or lost.

 

[TinkOhio]

Thanks for the replies. There is a guitar store nearby that I will stop at to check for cases. It is too long for my carryon bags, and I'm afraid it won't fit under the seat on the plane.

 

[bumbershoot]

Airlines often have special rules for musical instruments. Search on your airline’s site for it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ukuleles generally aren't discussed in the special rules.

 

[Capt_BJ]

dd has carried hers in this for years surviving many travels ....

https://kalabrand.com/collections/u...rchtop-ukulele-hardcase?variant=2131830538266

 

[rwdavis2]

What is it worth? Hard shell cases can get pricey.

 

[writerguyfl]

Airlines often have special rules for musical instruments. Search on your airline’s site for it.

Good advice. Here are the web pages for policies on the biggest 4 US airlines. (Click on "musical instruments" on menu items, if necessary.)

American: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/specialty-and-sports.jsp
Delta: https://www.delta.com/content/www/e...s/baggage/before-your-trip/special-items.html
Southwest: https://www.southwest.com/html/customer-service/baggage/special-luggage-pol.html
United: https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/baggage/specialty-and-sports.jsp

Seems like the basic policy on each carrier is that it counts as carry-on luggage provided it can fit under the seat (not an option here) or in the overhead compartment. Unfortunately, there needs to be space in an overhead compartment. If you find space, you then have to watch with an eagle eye to make sure no one coming later smashes it.

Personally, I'd price out the cost of shipping it via US Postal, FedEx, or UPS. Doing that might be much easier. It might cost less than buying a hard-sided case, too.

 

[Capt_BJ]

If the cost of a hard case at $80 seems too much

I'd suggest you look at simply buying a uku' on Amazon and ship it direct. 'good' uke' can be found for well under $100
https://www.amazon.com/Kala-KA-15S-Mahogany-Soprano-Ukulele/dp/B001LU1SFO
while GOOD ones will run considerably more
https://kalabrand.com/collections/gloss-mahogany-ukulele/products/ka-slng
https://kalabrand.com/collections/hawaiian-gloss-koa-ukulele/products/ka-kgb


*****************
had similar issue when dd damaged her uku (which as I mention has a hard case)

I know a guy who does professional repair of guitars and his suggestion was to just buy a new uke as the cost to repair was nearly the cost of same quality new . . .

 

[TinkOhio]

I guess we got lucky. Bought DD a soft case. On the first flight, there were empty seats and I was able to stick it under the middle seat and on the floor in the empty seat in front of that seat. On the second leg, it was put in a half full overhead. It definitely would not have fit under a single seat.

Thanks so much fir the advice! DD will love the case and be thrilled to have her uke back!