Carrying an instrument onboard
If your instrument (including case or covering) meets the carryon size limit of 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H), you may bring it with you as a carryon item if space is available.
If your instrument is larger than the carryon size limit, you may still carry it onboard if it fits in an overhead bin or under a seat and space is available.
To improve your chances of finding overhead bin space available for your instrument, we recommend purchasing Priority Boarding or a fare that includes a boarding benefit (such as Choice Extra or Choice Preferred) if available.
Checking an instrument
- Our standard checked baggage fee applies.
- Oversize fees are waived.
- Overweight fees will apply if the instrument weighs between 51 and 165 pounds (including case or covering).
Southwest Airlines® won’t accept any musical instrument if, when including the case or covering, the sum of the length, height, and width of the outside linear dimensions exceeds 150 inches or the weight exceeds 165 pounds.
Instruments transported in soft-sided cases or other packaging that is not strong enough to protect it under normal baggage handling conditions will be subject to limited release: Southwest® assumes no liability for any damage to the item during transport.
Traveling on an itinerary involving a partner airline? Keep in mind that the partner airline may have different guidelines.
Purchasing a seat for an instrument
If your musical instrument will not fit in an overhead bin or under a seat, you may contact us and purchase a non-refundable seat for it under the following conditions:
- It must fit in the seat and be secured with a seatbelt.
- It must not block aircraft signage.
- It must be placed in a window seat, and you must sit in the adjacent seat. With this in mind, a window seat and adjacent middle seat must be available for assignment when you contact us to book your travel. Instruments may not be placed in emergency exit rows. For our Boeing 737-700 aircraft, instruments may not be placed in emergency exit rows or the rows immediately in front of or behind the emergency exit row.
You must contact us to book both seats. If the seats needed for the instrument are not available on your desired flight, we will help you book a different flight.
Note: Some musical instruments (e.g., double bass, cello, etc.) cannot be secured in a seat and must be transported as checked baggage. Standard bag and overweight fees apply.
