Has anyone had any luck with getting an airline to cut you a break for buying a seat for a tuba? I am seeing that some airlines have some programs that you can 'call for details' but I'm trying to find out if someone can help shed some light on a good method or airline to go with.
Jim Langenberg
Tubas in flight
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rascaljim
- pro musician
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rwiegand
- bugler
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I researched this recently and found that for United and American anyway they would not sell me a coach set for a tuba as it was too big. I didn't ask about first class. (It's true there's no way it would have fit in a seat--heck, I don't fit and I'm at least a little bendable.) One of them(United I think) actually had a long list of instruments and whether they could go as carry-on, in a seat, or checked baggage on their web site. Tubas were listed as "checked baggage only (oversize luggage fee applies)". Talking to a human there yielded the same result. I had the tuba sent by truck freight.
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Cheers!
Roger
Wayland, MA USA
Cheers!
Roger
Wayland, MA USA
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jmutuba
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I've recently been looking for imformation regarding tuba travel from DC to Denver and this is what I found:
US Airways (baggage - 1-800-371-4771) has an $80 extra fee for any baggage over 62 linear inches (length+width+height), but does not accept baggage over 115 TOTAL linear inches. Also, if a checked item weighs between 51 and 70 lbs, there is a $50 surcharge and if it is between 71 and 100 lbs, there is an $80 surcharge. I talked to two different people on the phone with their airline, though, and one persont told me that when you check in, you can ask if there in room in the on-board compartments for the instrument, but the other person told me that nothing over 62 linear inches was allowed, so it depends on the person handling your call.
Frontier Airlines (baggage - 1-800-432-1359) has a $50 TOTAL fee for any bag over 62 linear inches or 50lbs (so if it's one or the other or both, it's only $50) and the woman I talked with on the phone said there was no maximum limit, that they would accept a musical instrument of any size as checked baggage as long as it was in a hard case (I'm pretty sure they won't sell you a seat). Also, she said that you had to check the instrument at the ticket counter, not on the roadside check in, but no matter what the size they "would definitely accept it." Frontier Airlines also has an instrument insurance policy on their website which seems pretty promising.
United Airlines (baggage - 1-800-221-6903) said that tubas must be checked (only stringed instruments are allowed in the cabin). If the instrument (in the hard case) is over 62 linear inches, the extra fee is $80 and if the item is over 50lbs, the extra fee is $25 (meaning that if it is both over sized and over weight, the charge is $105). Also, the person I talked with on the phone said that they will not handle any baggage over 115 linear inches. They do, however, have a $2,800 insurance limit per passenger (but they will not raise that for any baggage). The person I talked with suggested calling the airport, too, to check on their policies, but guaranteed me that 115 is their linear inch limit.
Hope this helps!
-Gennie
US Airways (baggage - 1-800-371-4771) has an $80 extra fee for any baggage over 62 linear inches (length+width+height), but does not accept baggage over 115 TOTAL linear inches. Also, if a checked item weighs between 51 and 70 lbs, there is a $50 surcharge and if it is between 71 and 100 lbs, there is an $80 surcharge. I talked to two different people on the phone with their airline, though, and one persont told me that when you check in, you can ask if there in room in the on-board compartments for the instrument, but the other person told me that nothing over 62 linear inches was allowed, so it depends on the person handling your call.
Frontier Airlines (baggage - 1-800-432-1359) has a $50 TOTAL fee for any bag over 62 linear inches or 50lbs (so if it's one or the other or both, it's only $50) and the woman I talked with on the phone said there was no maximum limit, that they would accept a musical instrument of any size as checked baggage as long as it was in a hard case (I'm pretty sure they won't sell you a seat). Also, she said that you had to check the instrument at the ticket counter, not on the roadside check in, but no matter what the size they "would definitely accept it." Frontier Airlines also has an instrument insurance policy on their website which seems pretty promising.
United Airlines (baggage - 1-800-221-6903) said that tubas must be checked (only stringed instruments are allowed in the cabin). If the instrument (in the hard case) is over 62 linear inches, the extra fee is $80 and if the item is over 50lbs, the extra fee is $25 (meaning that if it is both over sized and over weight, the charge is $105). Also, the person I talked with on the phone said that they will not handle any baggage over 115 linear inches. They do, however, have a $2,800 insurance limit per passenger (but they will not raise that for any baggage). The person I talked with suggested calling the airport, too, to check on their policies, but guaranteed me that 115 is their linear inch limit.
Hope this helps!
-Gennie
BM James Madison University
MM University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
DM Indiana University
MM University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music
DM Indiana University
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LoyalTubist
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According to the AFM ANY instrument that can be put into a seat can be taken aboard as a paying passenger. I did it one time. It did not save any trouble. I think it is much easier to check the tuba as baggage, provided you have a sturdy case. You are supposed to be able to order food for your tuba (you are paying MORE for the tuba's seat than yours) but flight attendants always give you a strange look when you order two meals. It's much easier with a strong, sturdy case (the price of one tuba seat fare) and I have an easier time getting out of the airplane.
That's Bill's opinion.
That's Bill's opinion.
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You only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't blow it.
You only have one chance to make a first impression. Don't blow it.