Anyone flown with a guitar on Ryanair?

[nny]

Got to fly to Italy in the next months, taking an archtop guitar with me. Ryanair's the only airline offering a direct route from the UK.

Checking in the guitar is not an option. I'm happy enough to book a second seat for the guitar but am concerned at their apparent size restriction for instruments. I think a hardshell case is going to be over the limit.

Can anyone share their experiences?


Smaller musical items such as a guitar, violin or viola which exceed our cabin baggage dimensions may be carried in the cabin if a seat for it has been reserved and the appropriate fare paid. There is no checked or cabin baggage allowance associated with the purchase of an extra seat.

To book an extra seat for an item the word "ITEM SEAT" must be entered as the surname and "EXTRA" must be entered at the first name. EXTRA ITEM SEAT will then be displayed on the reservation and online boarding pass. The accompanying passenger's travel document details must be entered during the online check- in process. Reserved seating in emergency rows 1,16 and 17 may not be purchased if you have purchased an extra seat for item/comfort

For health and safety reasons Ryanair does not accept for carriage any individual item exceeding 32 kilos or with combined dimensions of more than 81cms (height), 119cms (width) and 119cms (depth).

[ICBM]

I've never flown on Ryanair, but check the length of the case - if it's under 119cm you should be OK. I just measured a Hiscox classical guitar case I have here and it's only 110. The other two dimensions will be well under.

To be honest I prefer this approach - just book an extra seat. On a budget airline that might even be cheaper than risking it as an allowed carry-on on a 'proper' airline - where if they don't let it into the cabin (final call down to the check-in staff and the flight crew, no matter what airline policy says) it goes in the hold and all bets are off.

I'd still give the usual advice though - don't ever fly with an instrument you can't afford to lose or would be upset at if it was damaged or destroyed. If there's any option of borrowing or hiring something equivalent when you get there, do that instead. You effectively have *no* property rights on commercial airlines.

[octatonic]

ICBM is right- I've had huge issues with airlines and taking guitars.
Many times they have been refused at the gate and I've been sent back to check in to put it in the hold.

It is one of the primary reasons I bought my Forshage headless guitar.

[ZenOvertone]

I've taken a Fender once, extra seat etc, no problem but expensive, the last few times to Ireland, I've sent to NI (Parcelforce/other couriers) and picked up from a mate near the border, miles cheaper and on our route, I just send back by same courier insured (only a Fender though in hard case).

[evilmags]

Yes, between London and Granada. Firstly, use a Hiscox case or better. A typical Fender/PRS/Gibson style case will not offer sufficient protection from neanderthal bag handlers. The second thing is to make sure they allow you to take it to the gate and put it in the hold for you then, thus avoiding bag handlers. They put a special tag on it at check in. Thirdly they should have a musical instrument category when you buy tickets. Pay it and you should not have too much hassel. Bubble wrap and broken up polystyrene are worth investing in to protect the head stock. And make sure and loosen the strings a bit.

[jalapeno]

As long as reasonable cost - buy an an extra seat. I've done a couple of times on Easy Jet with an acoustic, and Ryan Air are similar - though they do have a certain money-grubbing je ne sais quoi ....

Also seen a 'Chello have it's own seat too.

Got a steinberger spirit to go in the suitcase these days.

[TheThingThatShouldNotBe]

IME Ryan air will do their utmost to get the guitar put into the hold and whop you with handeling charge , the're sods for that but on the odd occasion depending on the mood of the check in staff they will let it go in the cabin but all those times my guitar was in a soft case as was the rest of the bands which is risky if they then decide that "no" its going in the hold .
Never felt happy about that even when it was cased in what I considered to be a purpose made aluminium flight case , I remember walking through the gate and catching a glimps of my guitar case falling about 10 feet off a convaer belt . Just because they hit you with a handeling charge doesnt mean they take any more care

[ICBM]

Never felt happy about that even when it was cased in what I considered to be a purpose made aluminium flight case , I remember walking through the gate and catching a glimps of my guitar case falling about 10 feet off a convaer belt .

I was at Frankfurt airport once and saw a cello in (luckily) one of those huge white fibreglass flightcases do that. The baggage ape just picked it up and threw it into the cart over the side. Considering that if it was even a low-end professional quality cello it was worth well in excess of ten grand you would think they might be more careful... no. I suppose that's why you buy a case that costs as much as a pretty decent guitar though.

Even then I'm not sure I'd risk it. I've done too many insurance repair/write-off valuations for gear smashed at airports to ever fly with a precious instrument. And that's assuming it even arrives at all...

[jalapeno]

If in well-enough advance, the EXTRA seat method is the best.

Seen Chellos & Guitars traveling this way on Ryanair and Sleazy.

[stolenlogic]

I've only flown with american with a guitar...sorry =/