You may be traveling for a gig and want to bring your musical instrument. Right? JetBlue lets you bring your drum or cello, but you must follow its rules. You can check or carry it on, depending on its size, as long as you meet the weight and dimension requirements. Read on to know more about JetBlue’s rules for traveling with musical instruments.
Can You Take Musical Instruments As A Carry-On?
Yes, you can take a musical instrument as cabin luggage instead of a single carry-on. However, you should stow it properly below your seat or in the overhead bin. The carry-on bag limits don’t apply to musical instruments. However, if you cannot store it onboard because of space constraints, check it at the gate. You may collect them from the gate upon arrival.
JetBlue’s overhead bins have partial or full dividers. This helps accommodate items up to 22, 14, and 9 inches. Longer instruments, like a tenor sax or a guitar, may fit within partial dividers. If space is limited, crewmembers will do their best to ensure your instruments are accommodated.
You will not find closets in the JetBlue planes to stow your musical instruments. You’ll have access to the overhead bin space only if you arrive early. To access the bins early and to board quickly, you may buy EvenMore®.
Rules for Carrying Musical Instruments As Checked Baggage
Are you checking your musical instrument? If so, it’ll count toward your checked baggage allowance. You will also be charged a fee if your fare type requires it.
Musical instruments will incur an overweight or oversized fee if they exceed 165 pounds or 150 linear inches, or the weight and size restrictions applicable to the respective aircraft. You may also be charged an excess baggage fee (if applicable).
Some international destinations also impose weight and size restrictions. The airline may cover the damage to your musical instruments in the course of the flight, but on condition that a hard-sided case or box was used for packing the item. The case should also contain only permitted items. If you used a soft-sided container to pack the instrument and it is damaged, JetBlue isn’t liable for any costs. For more information, please check the airline’s baggage liability regulations on its official website.
Buying An Extra Seat For Your Instrument On A JetBlue Flight
This is especially important for larger instruments like cellos, guitars, and upright basses. They’ll count as cabin baggage, but certain conditions apply.
- You should purchase an extra window seat for the instrument, especially if it weighs 165 pounds or less.
- The instrument must have no sharp edges, and you must secure it with a seat belt.
- It shouldn’t exceed 165 pounds. It must also be easy to handle.
- It shouldn’t block the no-smoking/seat belt signs when you secure it in the seat.
- It shouldn’t be placed in any exit row seats.
- You should preboard and deplane the item last (when all other passengers have deplaned).
Conclusion
Lastly, whether you can carry an instrument on a JetBlue flight is completely at the crewmember’s discretion. If they feel your instrument can’t be properly secured or handled easily because of the added weight, they may not allow it onboard, and you may have to check it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, as long as it meets the size and dimension requirements.
Instruments exceeding 99 lbs cannot go in as checked baggage.
If you’re traveling with large instruments like a bass, cello, or guitar, you must buy a separate seat, provided they weigh 165 pounds or less.
Yes, only if you have packed them well in a hard case and only if the case contains the items permitted in it.
In such cases, it will be gate-checked.