Viola Case, carry-on in flights

January 23, 2026, 6:20 AM · I have a Pedi case which is quite light and probably is within the size limits.

January 23, 2026, 6:20 AM · I have a Pedi case which is quite light and probably is within the size limits.

January 23, 2026, 6:49 AM · Viola cases, likes violin cases, don't conform to carry on size rules, but like violin cases, especially in the US, are generally accepted on board. The Trinity Case Company make a Viola Travel Set which is the most unobtrusive and least likely to draw attention. Their violin set actually does conform to most carry on rules. Outside of the US check individual carrier's musical instrument policies. Be warned, your viola needs its own seat on Ryanair.

Edited: January 23, 2026, 8:29 AM · I've gotten away with some things on flights you'd think you shouldn't be able to. I've travelled with my violin in am oblong case, plus a stuffed 55L backpack, on intl and domestic flights and it hasn't been an issue. Airline staff are usually good about it, if you are polite. Anyways, I think instruments fall in a special category on most airlines.

January 23, 2026, 8:37 AM · I find that if you are not going the special travel case with no bow route, then a traditional-looking shaped case is better. Most people (including airline staff) recognise a black shaped violin case for what it is, and there are fewer questions than with an oblong or one of those colourful half-moon-type ones.

Also, if I were to fly with a viola, I would say it's a violin - many airline rules about musical instruments use a violin as an example of a "small instrument" that is allowed, and with 95% certainty nobody important will be able to tell the difference.

January 23, 2026, 8:38 AM · Matt's response covers it pretty well. If you wanted to increase the odds in your favor, perhaps you could get a non-bow-holding case such as Musafia makes for violins. Dividebows.com now has a folding carbon fiber bow that you could strap to the case or put in your luggage. Or if your checked suitcase were big enough, any bow might fit there while protected by its own case.

January 23, 2026, 9:36 AM · For a carry-on viola case, many musicians find that lightweight hardshell cases with good padding strike the best balance between protection and ease of travel. Some brands also offer compact models specifically designed to meet airline size restrictions while still keeping your instrument safe. Are you looking for something more budget-friendly, or are you okay investing in a higher-end case for maximum protection?

January 23, 2026, 5:20 PM · I am always able to carry my violin on board a plane no matter what size it is. I have found that I if I just take it on board with me and act confident, then people don't intervene with me even if the case is overly large. As for weight, the Gewa Air viola case is quite light, and extremely durable, although it is a bit pricey (~$850).

Edited: January 23, 2026, 5:49 PM · As before steve jon's post is paradigmatic of bad AI. If you haven't got any words of your own please leave it out!

January 23, 2026, 6:48 PM · The hatred of AI is so human, and such emotions are one of our species greatest challenges. It is a bad look.

January 23, 2026, 6:57 PM · My daughter has traveled with several different cases and not had a problem. All of them were shaped cases, and we do always tell them it is a violin. Currently she is using a BAM Hightech shaped case with a cover and nobody has ever questioned it.

What we have more trouble with is other travelers trying to move around the case in the overhead, slamming it with their suitcases (if it is in the back they may not be able to see it), or putting things on top of it. We try to head this off by at least temporarily putting backpacks, purses, coats, etc. around it.

January 23, 2026, 8:06 PM · Mark, Steve; it's a bot :-)

January 23, 2026, 8:12 PM · Everyone else covered everything I was thinking of.

This is old news from 2014 that I came across last summer, that sounded like a joke but wasn't: Air Canada had a policy for a few days specifying that violins were allowed as carry-on but not violas.

https://theviolinchannel.com/air-canada-violin-carry-on-luggage-policy-change/

Edited: January 24, 2026, 6:22 AM · Mark - good or bad, sometimes anger is an appropriate emotion to express in the context of pernicious influences, not to say influencers. I wish some of our leaders would be more honest about their feelings.

January 24, 2026, 8:52 AM · There were some people who thought the industrial revolution was pernicious. It was truly a revolution, leading to manned flight, space flight, transistors, the scale of modern pharmaceuticals, etc.

But back on topic, it can be important to not bring any other carry on items, other than the viola case. Ultimately the attendents and crew are in charge, not 'the law'. If they see you with a single item, they are more likely to let you on with it. So many people have a carry on, large purse, and bag.

January 24, 2026, 11:58 AM · I had a friend make the mistake of telling the airline staff that it's not actually a violin, but a viola, which is like a violin, but somewhat bigger, as part of a general chatter - they asked if she was travelling to play. After which a long, unpleasant, and completely pointless conversation ensued - how much bigger is somewhat bigger, them calling someone else to ask if a viola is allowed, that someone else not believing violas exist, etc... In the end, she had to concede that it's basically a violin=).

January 24, 2026, 1:12 PM · Long-gone are the days when I could get an entire quartet onto an airplane without any additional charges.
The thing that has worked best for me recently has been to approach the gate agent, explain that I am carrying a very expensive violin, and politely request that I can be bumped to an earlier boarding group to ensure that there will be space in the cabin, and that it won't be bumped to "baggage" after the space runs out.

When boarding, I also use a strap (commonly supplied with a case) to hang the case over my back. While this doesn't make the case fit within the officially allowed dimensions, it still "appears" smaller than many backpacks and carry-on luggage which are allowed in the cabin.

January 24, 2026, 3:44 PM · Strapping it on your back to make it looks smaller might work well for Hulk Hogan...

January 25, 2026, 1:36 PM · Mengwei, I can’t open the link. Is this another viola joke?

January 25, 2026, 5:10 PM · Not a joke! The policy was actually published, then rescinded/updated after outcry.

https://theviolinchannel.com/air-canada-violin-carry-on-luggage-policy-change/

January 25, 2026, 5:38 PM · Not a backpack, but a single strap to hang it off your shoulder makes it disappear quite well--

January 25, 2026, 6:43 PM · Mengwei, Air Canada's fear was that if violas were allowed in the passenger cabin, there was a small but unacceptable risk that they might be taken out and played. ;-)

January 28, 2026, 8:35 PM · I have been flying American Airlines in the US recently. Each time I mentioned at the gate desk, prior to boarding, that I was boarding with a very valuable violin (in my eyes it is). I asked if I could place it in the forward closet with the flight attendant luggage and coats. In all cases they thought that that should be possible and to check with them upon boarding the flight. Upon boarding, they always agreed to allow me to place it the forward closet, and reminded me to not forget to pick it up on the way out.

January 30, 2026, 4:30 PM · A player from Zurich got a viola from me here in Paris, I am here now. She came to the Viola Congress here with a Giovanni Battista Gabrielli, Firenze, 18th Century viola. In order to get back to Zurich, she got two air tickets from Swiss Air, one specially for one of the violas. Well, she was prevented to go with both in the airplane, even having two tickets. My viola went in the cargo and got some varnish damage, luckly, it could be much worse. The case was a good Italian one. Travelling today is a nightmare. www.manfioviolas

January 30, 2026, 4:51 PM · The trick is to fly on the right plane. I heard Taylor Swift airlines lets you carry on your instrument