Flying with a alto saxophone
An alto sax case is small enough to stow overhead or under the seat on most aircraft — generally cabin-friendly.
Cased dimensions
24.75 × 7.5 × 10.75 in (43.0 linear in), ~7.87 lb, in a Protec alto sax Pro Pac case.
Source: Protec, accessed 2026-07-09.
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 43.0 in cased.
Case that fits
A flight case for a alto saxophone
Gator GC-ALTOSAX-23 Andante ABS case
Gator · exterior 24.75 × 10.75 × 6 in
$159.99
View the caseDimensions: Gator Cases, accessed 2026-07-09. Plain merchant link until affiliate programs are approved.
Per airline
A alto saxophone on each airline
| Airline | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Air France (EU) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits Air France's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Alaska Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Allegiant Air (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| American Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Breeze Airways (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| British Airways (EU) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits British Airways's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Delta Air Lines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| easyJet (EU) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits easyJet's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Frontier Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Hawaiian Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| JetBlue (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| KLM (EU) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits KLM's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Lufthansa (EU) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case fits Lufthansa's published cabin allowance in most cases; confirm against the exact cabin-bag limit on the airline page. |
| Ryanair (EU) | 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. |
| Southwest Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| Sun Country Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
| United Airlines (US) | Cabin likely | A alto saxophone in its case is small enough to stow in an overhead bin or under the seat. US federal law (49 U.S.C. §41724) gives you the right to carry it on if it fits and space is available at boarding. |
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