14 CFR § 251.4 - Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t14/s251.4"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "14 CFR § 251.4 - Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage."
title_number: 14
title_name: "Aeronautics and Space"
section_number: "251.4"
section_name: "Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage."
chapter_name: "OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (AVIATION PROCEEDINGS)"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "ECONOMIC REGULATIONS"
part_number: "251"
part_name: "CARRIAGE OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "49 U.S.C. 41724."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 166, Jan. 5, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "251"
---


# 251.4 Large musical instruments as carry-on baggage.

Each covered carrier shall permit a passenger to carry a musical instrument that is too large to meet the requirements of § 251.3 in the aircraft cabin, without charging the passenger a fee in addition to the cost of an additional ticket described in paragraph (e) of this section, if:

(a) The instrument is contained in a case or covered so as to avoid injury to other passengers;

(b) The weight of the instrument, including the case or covering, does not exceed 165 pounds or the applicable weight restrictions for the aircraft;

(c) The instrument can be stowed in accordance with the requirements for carriage of carry-on baggage or cargo established by the FAA;

(d) Neither the instrument nor the case contains any object not otherwise permitted to be carried in an aircraft cabin because of a law or regulation of the United States; and

(e) The passenger wishing to carry the instrument in the aircraft cabin has purchased an additional seat to accommodate the instrument.