strings
Flying with a double bass
A double bass case is far beyond overhead size; published paths are checked/cargo or a carrier-specific cabin-seat exception where the airline can secure it.
Cased dimensions
86 × 37 × 26 in (149.0 linear in), weight not published in source record, in a Stevenson standard double bass case.
Source: Stevenson Cases, 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 149.0 in cased.
Does it fit?
A double bass against a cabin bin, to scale
Cabin-fit cross-section Too large for an overhead bin
Per airline
A double bass on each airline
| Airline | Verdict | What it means |
|---|---|---|
 Air France (EU) | Extra seat | A double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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 double bass 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. |
Feedback
Did this answer your question?
One tap tells us whether this page actually helped.