(A) the instrument can be stowed safely in a suitable baggage compartment in the aircraft cabin or under a passenger seat, in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the administrator and SMALL INSTRUMENTS AS CARRY-ON BAGGAGE - An air carrier providing air transportation shall permit a passenger to carry a violin, guitar, or other musical instrument in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to any standard fee that carrier may require for comparable carry-on baggage, if …
Here is the text of the massive document that applies to musicians: Elements of the Modernization Act are being phased in over several years.
While the regulations passed Congress and were signed by the president, implementation and cooperation from the airlines are far from a given. It said the changes set a “consistent national policy allowing musical instruments on airplanes” and ended “the confusion over musical instruments as carry-on baggage.” The American Federation of Musicians lobbied Congress for nearly a decade on behalf of passengers with instruments. Among its many elements was a set of regulations regarding musical instruments - badly needed reform for traveling musicians. In early 2012, President Obama signed the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.