strings
Flying with a 34-string lever harp
A 34-string lever harp is too tall and wide for overhead storage; treat it as an airline-by-airline extra-seat or checked-baggage planning problem.
Cased dimensions
54 × 25.5 × 13 in (92.5 linear in), ~24 lb, in a Dusty Strings Ravenna 34 with transport case.
Source: Virginia Harp Center, accessed 2026-07-17.
What the law says
US air carriers must let a passenger carry a small musical instrument (violin, guitar, or other) into the cabin as carry-on if it fits safely in an overhead bin or under the seat and space is available at boarding. A larger instrument may be carried in the cabin if the passenger buys it a seat and the instrument plus case weighs no more than 165 pounds. An instrument may be checked if its outside linear dimensions (length + width + height, including the case) are 150 inches or less, within the carrier's weight rules. The statute states the limit as '165 pounds' and does not itself state a kilogram figure.
The checked-baggage limit is 150 linear inches; this instrument measures 92.5 in cased.
Does it fit?
A 34-string lever harp against a cabin bin, to scale
Cabin-fit cross-section Too large for an overhead bin
Per airline
A 34-string lever harp on each airline
| Airline | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
 Air France (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Air France 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. |
 Alaska Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Alaska Airlines 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. |
 Allegiant Air (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Allegiant Air 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. |
 American Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On American Airlines 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. |
 Breeze Airways (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Breeze Airways 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. |
 British Airways (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On British Airways 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. |
 Delta Air Lines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Delta Air Lines 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. |
 easyJet (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On easyJet 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. |
 Frontier Airlines (US) | Checked only | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin and Frontier Airlines publishes no cabin-seat option, so the published path is checked/cargo. The federal extra-seat right may still apply — confirm with the airline. |
 Hawaiian Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Hawaiian Airlines 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. |
 JetBlue (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On JetBlue 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. |
 KLM (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On KLM 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. |
 Lufthansa (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Lufthansa 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. |
 Ryanair (EU) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp 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. |
 Southwest Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On Southwest Airlines 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. |
 Sun Country Airlines (US) | Checked only | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin and Sun Country Airlines publishes no cabin-seat option, so the published path is checked/cargo. The federal extra-seat right may still apply — confirm with the airline. |
 United Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A 34-string lever harp is too large for an overhead bin. On United Airlines 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. |
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