Pre-booked guitar seat on Ryanair – anything to be worried about?

citesquestion

My partner is flying with Ryanair and meant to bring one of my acoustics. We pre-booked an extra seat so in theory everything should be fine. The guitar is not in a flight case and I really wouldn't want to see it in the luggage compartment – it's a old-school plywood hardcase, I don't think it offers massive protection.

Anyone has good/bad experience flying with a guitar booked in? Are they ever arsy at the security? Can Ryanair come up with some "no, you need to check this in"?

Any experience appreciated!

fretmeister

Thoughts and prayers. 

citesquestion

In their defence, I think it's one of the few airlines that never overbooks so at least I have confidence in there being a physical extra seat

Offset

The only time I'd use either Ryanair or Wizz would be to escape a war zone.

Emp_Fab

I would definitely phone them up and ask the specific question about carrying a guitar on board, in its separate seat etc.  The trouble with budget airlines and their myriad complex rules designed to extract the most money from you is that the check-in agents - none of whom will work for the airline - can, and do interpret the rules differently.

If I were in your shoes, I'd get it confirmed in writing (email at least) that you can take the guitar on board.

tony99

Offset said:

The only time I'd use either Ryanair or Wizz would be to escape a war zone.

And even then I'd keep one eye on sky scanner for other options.

elstoof

You will need to arrange for them to fit a seat harness to strap the guitar in with in case of turbulence etc, you won’t be able to just plonk the guitar on the seat next to you. Most airlines let you book a discounted seat for instruments but not sure on Ryanair’s policy

Roland

I have seen airline staff describe a guitar as a potential weapon, and then charge to put it in the hold. I’ve seen other airlines put it in a vertical locker for you, not the overhead. Whatever the airline says you might have to argue with airline staff.

fretmeister

Every airline has the absolute right to take the item from you and put it in the hold. The alternative being you can not fly.

So be nice and polite all the way!

tony99

Please be careful when playing the guitar during the flight. I witnessed an awful incident like this once when a lady stewardess borrowed a passenger's guitar to entertain a sick child who was on the flight and had a drip as part of her medical care.

The stewardess was quite a gifted player but she got so into it she started swinging the guitar around and didn't realise when she inadvertently knocked the drip out of the child's arm.  

Chaos ensued.

tweedphan

And don’t call me Shirley !

bertie

citesquestion said:

Pre-booked guitar seat on Ryanair – anything to be worried about?

where it lands ?

hollywoodrox

tony99 said:

Please be careful when playing the guitar during the flight. I witnessed an awful incident like this once when a lady stewardess borrowed a passenger's guitar to entertain a sick child who was on the flight and had a drip as part of her medical care.

The stewardess was quite a gifted player but she got so into it she started swinging the guitar around and didn't realise when she inadvertently knocked the drip out of the child's arm.  

Chaos ensued.

That’s awesome , I’m imagining her swinging it round her body like Yngwie 
unleash the fire 

crunchman

Anything to be worried about?

Flying on a 737 MAX

citesquestion

elstoof said:

You will need to arrange for them to fit a seat harness to strap the guitar in with in case of turbulence etc, you won’t be able to just plonk the guitar on the seat next to you. Most airlines let you book a discounted seat for instruments but not sure on Ryanair’s policy

Seat booked already following their instructions! Not really at a discount but it is cheap. Yeah, I heard about the harness – wonder if worth reminding them, etc.

Roland said:

I have seen airline staff describe a guitar as a potential weapon, and then charge to put it in the hold. I’ve seen other airlines put it in a vertical locker for you, not the overhead. Whatever the airline says you might have to argue with airline staff.

Oh dear. I've flown a couple of times with a disassembled bolt-on in hand-luggage – was fine. One of the times they tripple-scanned the body of a headless because they didn't quite believe this monstrosity is a guitar.


I appreciate all the Ryanair bashing but seems silly to spend an extra hour and a half getting to a more distant airport for an hour-long flight and thats before you consider the price!
 

citesquestion

Accidental duplicate

mrkb

Are the seats next to each other, or is the guitar going to be sat next to a toddler who draws all over it?

citesquestion

mrkb said:

Are the seats next to each other, or is the guitar going to be sat next to a toddler who draws all over it?

Next to each other and next to a window. That's basically a relic at that point so at least a few hundred quid up in value

Offset

bertie said:

citesquestion said:

Pre-booked guitar seat on Ryanair – anything to be worried about?

where if it lands ?

elstoof

Ryanair has one of the best safety records out there, let’s be fair 

Snags

Not guitar related but be aware that Ryan Air no longer do gate calls. You just have to look at the screens and run. It's been catching out quite a few people.