United
These rules were last checked on 10 Nov 2026, more than 100 days ago. Confirm on the airline's own page before you fly.
You can buy it a seat on this airline.
United rules
- A violin, guitar or other small instrument may be carried on in a hard case. In the bin it counts as your carry-on bag; under the seat, as your personal item.
- US federal rule: the airline must accept it if it can be stowed and there is space when you board. There is no priority over other bags.
- A seat can be bought for an instrument under 165 lb (75 kg). Call 1-800-864-8331; an agent must approve the item.
- The instrument seat must be next to yours and the item stays belted in for the whole flight.
- United Express flights use smaller aircraft with smaller bins.
Source: united.com › Baggage › Cabin seat. Checked 10 Nov 2026.
United instrument policy
- 14 CFR 251.3: a small instrument must be accepted as carry-on if it can be stowed and space is available at boarding.
- United policy: small instruments in a hard case are accepted on board.
https://united.com/en/ec/fly/baggage/cabin-seat.htmlUse the gate card