U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has issued a final
rule that requires U.S. airlines to accept musical instruments as carry-on or
checked baggage on commercial passenger flights, “provided
certain conditions are met.” DOT reports the final rule implements section
403 of the Federal Aviation Administration Modernization and Reform Act
of 2012. “This final rule implements the statue, and it will go a long way
toward keeping instruments safe when they fly—from allowing them in the cabin
if there is space for safe stowage, to letting passengers buy a seat for
certain large instruments,” says DOT Secretary Anthony Foxx.
 |
| ©iStockphoto.com/arekmalang |
DOT reports, that “musical instruments as carry-on items are
treated no differently from other carry-on items and storage space should be
made available for all carry-n items on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.”
Also, carriers are not require to give special treatment or priority over other
carry-on luggage.
For more conditions and information on the final rule, visit
DOT’s
website.