Southwest and "carrying on" a gown

[funcinderella]

A little off topic...but I have never traveled with a gown before. I hesitate to pack it in a checked bag (not to mention it's quite poufy) just in case it gets lost, and it will definitely get very wrinkled! Anyone ever had to carry on a gown before? Can they accomdate that on Southwest? TIA...

 

[DVC-Don]

I believe you can as long as it fits in the overhead or under the seat. There is no place to hang it.

 

[SteveMouse]

I believe you can as long as it fits in the overhead or under the seat. There is no place to hang it.

And it fits into the proper sized dimensions.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure if you mean formal gown or wedding gown, but this issue is part of what kept me from having a true destination wedding.


And since I've had time to think about the issue of poofy gowns and wrinkles and whatnot, I would say to just allow yourself time to have it unwrinkled. If it's a normal gown, have it drycleaned or get a steamer or bring a steamer. If it's a wedding gown and you think it'll survive, again, use the steamer (my 100% silk gown was fine with a steamer held several inches away, even though it's not really recommended but we got brave and tried it...but it had no beading on the fabric of the dress), or there's a wedding gown place in Orlando that helps brides out with this sort of thing and will de-wrinkle it (check out the weddings forum for that info). If, by chance, you're bringing it for a cruise, think about using their services once on board.

Checking it or carrying it on, you're going to be dealing with wrinkles. Taking it in the car caused wrinkles (hence the need for a steamer) in my case, so I didn't escape the problem, LOL.

And if you choose to put it in the overhead, wait until there is a base of luggage in the overhead then put the gown on top of the bags. If you put it in the overhead bin before there is luggage you are going to serious peeve people. Like the people who put their coats in the bins before luggage goes up there. Put clothing on TOP of bags, not in place of it.

 

[Madzac]

12 years ago I was married in Hawaii and I carried on my wedding dress in a garment bag. I was prepared to place it on top of other items in the bins overhead but the flight attendant took and hung it for me in their area. I too was afraid to check in. It worked out very well. I cant recall what airline we flew back then though.

 

[njsmama]

I got married two years ago and I carried on my wedding gown. It was no problem and the flight attendant found a spot for it where it didn't get wrinkled . We flew Southwest Airlines.

 

[evedein]

7 yrs ago my DD got married at WDW. I too was afraid to put the gown in checked luggage. The airline (Airtran) couldn't promise me that there would be space to hang it & it wasn't leaving my sight. Someone on the wedding forum suggested I buy a seat for it. I did (one way - it came back stuffed in a suitcase). It worked out great. It sat next to me the whole way down, I had extra room & it even got it's own luggage & carry-on allotment. Checked bags were free back then. A lot of the stuff we were taking down for the wedding wasn't coming back (gifts for guests, etc), we we didn't have as much to lug back home. The flight attendent started to tell me that I couldn't put on the seat next to me, until I showed her it's ticket. She was amazed, but agreed it was a good idea. I was a little disappointed though. The ticket was just a second seat in my name. The person who suggested it got a ticket that said "Wedding Gown Smith" . It would have been a great addition to the wedding scrapbook.

 

[mb187143]

Contact SW directly for confirmation. I had no problem traveling with my wedding gown on SW in November. I didn't buy it a seat. I arranged to have it steamed after arriving in Orlando to take care of any wrinkles.

 

[NotUrsula]

Even if you are carrying it on, you are still going to have to put it in a garment bag to avoid letting it get soiled in the course of traveling around, so make arrangements to have it steamed when you arrive. Most full-service hotels can take care of that for you.

SWA does not have hanging garment closets on board for passengers as it does not have 1st class. The normal place to put a garment in a dress bag would be to lay it on top of other luggage in an overhead bin. I think that there is a small hanging area that the crew uses for their jackets, but I don't think that you could fit a wedding gown into it, even in a garment bag.

 

[funcinderella]

Thank you for all of the replies. I have a steamer and will bring it along in any case. I just hope they dont make me fold it up to fit into that square thingie...lol I am too afraid to check it in a bag!

 

[funcinderella]

Contact SW directly for confirmation. I had no problem traveling with my wedding gown on SW in November. I didn't buy it a seat. I arranged to have it steamed after arriving in Orlando to take care of any wrinkles.

Where did they have you put it? In the overhead compartment?

 

[SteveMouse]

I'm concerned about its size and a "plan B". If its a large dress, it may not fit in the space available (especially if it's a full flight or the OP is boarding an indirect flight (middle stop)).

You'd better be prepared to gate check it.

 

[chartle]

I think it would be better to ship it and prepared to have it steamed/pressed once you get there.

Its almost like you have more control that way. You put it in the perfect box expecting it to be thrown around. I can just imagine gate checking it in a garment bag and what will happen to it when it gets thrown/crammed into the cargo hold.

Even if you can somehow put it in a overhead bin its going to get shoved in on top of other baggage. Its not like they can reserve 6 feet of space to lay it out just perfectly.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I would carry it on. I would hold it until the overhead bins are full and then place it on TOP of the luggage. Yes, it's going to "squish" but it's better then having people put thier suitcase on top of it. And plan on having it pressed no matter what

 

[mb187143]

Where did they have you put it? In the overhead compartment?

The flight attendant helped me get it into a bin on top of other people's carry on bags. It was in a garment bag, full A-line dress so not small but obviously it squishes. The flight attendants could not have been more helpful.

We arranged for Carolyn Allen's to come to our room the day before our wedding to steam the gown and remove the wrinkles. Carolyn Allen's also allows for people to ship to them directly no more than 2 weeks ahead of arrival. They will steam and deliver to your resort after you've checked in. I didn't want to take even that risk as not even FedEx or UPS are infallible and insurance wouldn't do squat for me if they lost my dress since I'm not an off the rack size. If you're comfortable with shipping it that may be the route to go.

 

[mellvswdw1]

I cannot believe it was almost 9 years ago, but I carried on my wedding dress on our flight with southwest to our wedding at WDW. The flight attendent was so nice, took my dress and made sure it was stored in a good spot. She also made a big deal about DH and I during the flight.

I hired Carolyn Allen to steam my dress, my sisters, my flowergirls and my MOH dress the day of our wedding. Worked perfectly, and it was an amazing day! Good luck!