Ryanair: flying with a musical instrument
Ryanair ties cabin instruments to its normal cabin-bag allowance, sells an 'EXTRA ITEM SEAT' for larger ones, and checks the rest for a fee.
Cabin / carry-on
Allowed onboard if it fits the standard Cabin Bag allowance; no instrument-specific cabin dimensions are published (unverified beyond the general cabin-bag rule).
Extra seat
For smaller instruments exceeding cabin dimensions, buy an extra seat fare (first name 'EXTRA', surname 'ITEM SEAT'); no weight limit is published for the extra-seat instrument.
Checked
Equipment not fitting the cabin allowance and not seat-booked can be checked for a fee (standard checked allowance 20 kg).
Source
Ryanair — What music equipment can I bring on board
Any music equipment is allowed onboard if it fits within the standard Cabin Bag allowance. For smaller instruments (guitars, violins) that exceed cabin baggage dimensions, an extra seat fare can be purchased (booked as first name 'EXTRA', surname 'ITEM SEAT'); that seat carries no baggage allowance. Larger equipment not seat-booked can be checked in for a fee.
https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12889013645713-What-music-equipment-can-I-bring-on-board — Ryanair, accessed 2026-07-09 · last reviewed 2026-07-09
Per instrument
How each instrument fares on Ryanair
| Instrument | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 61-key portable keyboard | Gate-check risk | A 61-key portable keyboard in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Alto saxophone | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits Ryanair's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Banjo | Gate-check risk | A banjo in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Cello (4/4) | Extra seat | A cello (4/4) is too large for an overhead bin. On Ryanair the standard path is a purchased extra seat (the statute's cabin-carriage right, up to 165 lb, where the airline sells one) — see the airline's seat-position and weight rules. It may also be checked within the 150-linear-inch limit. |
| Dreadnought acoustic guitar | Gate-check risk | A dreadnought acoustic guitar in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Electric guitar (gig bag) | Gate-check risk | A electric guitar (gig bag) in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Parlor / travel acoustic guitar | Gate-check risk | A parlor / travel acoustic guitar in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Trumpet | Cabin likely | A trumpet in its case fits Ryanair's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Ukulele (concert) | Cabin likely | A ukulele (concert) in its case fits Ryanair's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Viola | Gate-check risk | A viola in its case often fits a mainline overhead bin but is a real gate-check risk on full flights and regional jets. Board early; if the bin is full it may be gate-checked. |
| Violin (4/4) | Cabin likely | A violin (4/4) in its case fits Ryanair's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
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