Has anyone had problems taking their fiddle as a carry on hand baggage on Aer Lingus flights? It's been a while since I last flew A.L. so I'd like to know if they're changed something.
I remember that I didn't have problems with taking the fiddle then. Also, they don't mention anything about fiddles as such in their musical instruments travel info, and I know for sure that my fiddle case fits the overhead bin no problem.
Up to a point. I still had to pay £30 in the airport to check a bag, as I hadn't told them beforehand on the internet that I would be checking aforesaid bag (in which case the charge would have been less). Wasn't impressed.
I can tell you that when I flew Aer Lingus last fall my mandolin was a no-go. The box that they used for their standard acceptable dimension for hand luggage at the gate was barely big enough for a pair of boots. I had to pack it inside my checked suitcase (not easy).
Ironically, when I boarded, I saw that the overhead compartments were practically big enough to lie down in. After six hours over the Atlantic, I was tempted to try it.
you know, it's the uncertainty of the whole thing that drives me NUTS. it's so uncertain and depends on so many variables. some of the variables even make sense, like how full is the flight? is it winter and everyone on the full flight has big coats or boots or hats? is the plane of one configuration or another re size of storage?
but often it comes down to the mood of the staff. i'd rather just know, yes or no. of course, it should be yes...but i'd just like to know ahead of time.
I took my mandolin with aer lingus to Belgium two weeks ago as hand luggage, not a problem.
On no account try to see if it fits into those basket things as Dingleallthe way did as it will not fit and draws attention to it. It fits in the locker no problem and i had no problem at all.
my experience has just been with larger groups. I have found that if the staff at the check-in desk do not see the instrument, you will be fine. We normally get a few people to stand back from the check-in desk and watch the instruments whilst the 1st group checks in. We have succeeded in getting Banjos, guitars and piano accordions on board with aer lingus, easyjet and Malev Air
I didn't have any trouble with Aer Lingus last year flying Barcelona-Dublin-Barcelona at either end. I asked when I checked in at Barcelona because obviously it wasn't going to fit into their little measurement box and they had been severely hassling some people in front of me in line for oversive bags; the young lady hesitated, asked her supervisor, then said yes, no problem. Even easier in Dublin on the way back. However, I met a Scot in Ennis who was furious that Aer Lingus hadn't allowed him to take his fiddle on board as carry-on when he checked in at Aberdeen. Maybe it depends on the size of the plane, the airport or whether or not the person doing the check-in is having a bad hair day. Luck of the draw?
However, I met a Scot in Ennis who was furious that Aer Lingus hadn't allowed him to take his fiddle on board as carry-on when he checked in at Aberdeen. Maybe it depends on the size of the plane, the airport or whether or not the person doing the check-in is having a bad hair day. Luck of the draw?
# Posted on April 23rd 2011 by reedy grins
It is simply that the Irish do not like Scots with fiddles.
Aer Lingus and fiddles
Aer Lingus and fiddles
Has anyone had problems taking their fiddle as a carry on hand baggage on Aer Lingus flights? It's been a while since I last flew A.L. so I'd like to know if they're changed something.
I remember that I didn't have problems with taking the fiddle then. Also, they don't mention anything about fiddles as such in their musical instruments travel info, and I know for sure that my fiddle case fits the overhead bin no problem.
Thanks
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by noranoreen
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
I've never had any bother with the pipes on Aer Lingus, and they are at least the size of a fiddle case, if not bigger.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
Good to know. I guess Aer Lingus is a bit more normal, as flight companies go, and they actually are willing to accommodate their customers...
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by noranoreen
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
Up to a point. I still had to pay £30 in the airport to check a bag, as I hadn't told them beforehand on the internet that I would be checking aforesaid bag (in which case the charge would have been less). Wasn't impressed.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by DrSilverSpear
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
I can tell you that when I flew Aer Lingus last fall my mandolin was a no-go. The box that they used for their standard acceptable dimension for hand luggage at the gate was barely big enough for a pair of boots. I had to pack it inside my checked suitcase (not easy).
Ironically, when I boarded, I saw that the overhead compartments were practically big enough to lie down in. After six hours over the Atlantic, I was tempted to try it.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by dinglealltheway
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
you know, it's the uncertainty of the whole thing that drives me NUTS. it's so uncertain and depends on so many variables. some of the variables even make sense, like how full is the flight? is it winter and everyone on the full flight has big coats or boots or hats? is the plane of one configuration or another re size of storage?
but often it comes down to the mood of the staff. i'd rather just know, yes or no. of course, it should be yes...but i'd just like to know ahead of time.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by full measure
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
When I flew it, a guy brought his fiddle on board, and we even had a session on the plane with his fiddle and my flute.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by pipersgrip
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
I took my mandolin with aer lingus to Belgium two weeks ago as hand luggage, not a problem.
On no account try to see if it fits into those basket things as Dingleallthe way did as it will not fit and draws attention to it. It fits in the locker no problem and i had no problem at all.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by bodhran bliss
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
Have flown Aer Lingus many, many times with my fiddle and never, ever had a problem.
# Posted on April 22nd 2011 by fiddlercjp
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
my experience has just been with larger groups. I have found that if the staff at the check-in desk do not see the instrument, you will be fine. We normally get a few people to stand back from the check-in desk and watch the instruments whilst the 1st group checks in. We have succeeded in getting Banjos, guitars and piano accordions on board with aer lingus, easyjet and Malev Air
# Posted on April 23rd 2011 by irishtradguy
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
I didn't have any trouble with Aer Lingus last year flying Barcelona-Dublin-Barcelona at either end. I asked when I checked in at Barcelona because obviously it wasn't going to fit into their little measurement box and they had been severely hassling some people in front of me in line for oversive bags; the young lady hesitated, asked her supervisor, then said yes, no problem. Even easier in Dublin on the way back. However, I met a Scot in Ennis who was furious that Aer Lingus hadn't allowed him to take his fiddle on board as carry-on when he checked in at Aberdeen. Maybe it depends on the size of the plane, the airport or whether or not the person doing the check-in is having a bad hair day. Luck of the draw?
# Posted on April 23rd 2011 by reedy grins
Re: Aer Lingus and fiddles
However, I met a Scot in Ennis who was furious that Aer Lingus hadn't allowed him to take his fiddle on board as carry-on when he checked in at Aberdeen. Maybe it depends on the size of the plane, the airport or whether or not the person doing the check-in is having a bad hair day. Luck of the draw?
# Posted on April 23rd 2011 by reedy grins
It is simply that the Irish do not like Scots with fiddles.
# Posted on April 24th 2011 by bodhran bliss