Musical Instruments

Packing instructions:

When a stringed instrument is transported by air, it may be exposed to dramatic changes in temperature and pressure, which can cause the instrument’s headstocks to crack or snap off. To prevent possible damage, it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that the strings are loosened so that the tension is reduced.
Musical instruments must always be properly packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping such items.
Air Canada will not be liable if and to the extent that any damage results from the inherent defect, quality or vice of the baggage.

Guitars and other irregular sized musical instruments may be accepted as part of your carry-on baggage allowance provided:

Due to passenger loads, aircraft limitations and/or storage space available, we cannot guarantee that a musical instrument can be accommodated on board. It may need to be checked at the gate and transported as checked baggage.

For this reason, musical instruments must always be properly packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping such items. Please refer to the ‘Packing instructions’ section above.
Musical instruments checked at the gate must also be retrieved at the gate upon arrival at your destination.

If checked in separately, a musical instrument counts as one piece of baggage towards the maximum number of checked bags allowed by your fare type.
If your baggage count (musical instrument + number of other bags to be checked) exceeds the maximum number of items allowed by your fare type, additional checked baggage charges will apply.

Please refer to the ‘Packing instructions’ section above for the preparation of your musical instrument.

For oversized instruments measuring more than 115in/292cm (e.g. guitars, tubas, double basses), please contact your Air Canada Cargo local sales office for handling.

Exception: Air Canada Cargo cannot handle shipments from or via the US as passengers are considered as unknown shippers for cargo purposes. Please contact another shipping company for this service.

In some cases, a seat may also be purchased for these instruments. Contact Air Canada Reservations for more information.

Unless specified in the table below, all musical instruments (including those not listed) may be accepted provided they do not exceed the weight and size restrictions that apply to carry-on or checked baggage.
Please refer to the ‘Packing instructions’ section above for the preparation of your musical instrument.
All of the rules and restrictions outlined above with regard to carry-on and checked baggage will apply.