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Flying with a cello (4/4)
A cello cannot go in an overhead bin; the standard answer is a purchased extra seat (the statute's cabin-carriage right, ≤165 lb) or checked/cargo where the airline allows it.
Cased dimensions
49 × 18.5 × 7.5 in (75.0 linear in), ~4.875 lb, in a BAM Performance cello case.
Source: BAM Cases, 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 75.0 in cased.
Case that fits
A flight case for a cello (4/4)
Crossrock CRF4050CEF polycarbonate 4/4 cello case
Crossrock · exterior 56 × 21 × 14 in
$599.00
View the caseDimensions: Crossrock, accessed 2026-07-09. Plain merchant link until affiliate programs are approved.
Per airline
A cello (4/4) on each airline
| Airline | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Air France (EU) | Extra seat | A cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 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. |
| Southwest Airlines (US) | Extra seat | A cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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 cello (4/4) 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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