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Flying with Air Canada

Musical Instruments
Packing instructions:
  • When a stringed instrument is transported by air, it may be exposed to dramatic changes in temperature and pressure, which can cause the instrument’s headstocks to crack or snap off. To prevent possible damage, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the strings are loosened so that the tension is reduced.
    Air Canada is not liable for damage caused by failure to properly prepare a musical instrument for travel.
  • When transported as checked baggage, musical items must be properly packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping such items.
Musical instruments as carry-on baggage:
  • Air Canada will try to accommodate smaller musical instruments (such as violins) as part of a passenger's carry-on baggage allowance only if the instruments can be stowed in an approved area for cabin baggage (i.e. overhead bin, underneath passenger seat).
  • Customers are reminded to arrive prepared to check the item, as it is never guaranteed that it can be accommodated on board due to passenger loads, aircraft limitations and/or storage space available.
Musical instruments as checked baggage:
  • If checked in separately, a musical instrument counts as one piece of baggage towards the maximum number of checked bags allowed by your fare type.
  • If your baggage count (musical instrument + number of other bags to be checked) exceeds the maximum number of items allowed by your fare type, additional checked baggage charges will apply.
  • For oversized instruments measuring more than 115in/292cm (e.g. guitars, tubas, double basses), please contact your Air Canada Cargo local sales office for handling.
    Exception: Air Canada Cargo cannot handle shipments from or via the US as passengers are considered as unknown shippers for cargo purposes. Please contact another shipping company for this service.

In some cases, a seat may also be purchased for these instruments. Contact Air Canada Reservations for more information.

Codeshare flights/flights with other airlines:

Passengers who purchase travel on a codeshare flight or a flight with another airline may be subject to the baggage policy and other rules of the airline operating the first flight in their itinerary.

For the specific terms and conditions of any Air Canada codeshare partner or other airline sold on aircanada.com, visit the operating carrier's website directly.