Planes and Wedding Dresses - any experience with this out there?
 

We are flying first class from Dallas on an MD-80, then flying Business Elite on a 767 out of Atlanta to Rome. We have a huge wedding dress (ball gown type.) Will the airline let us carry it on or will it have to be packed in a garment carrier and sent with the luggage. Thanks for the help. WT

From what I have gathered from friends, to the extent that it will fit on the plane, they will let you carry it on (plus you are flying business / first class which should help). However, you are saying ball gown type, so I feel less confident of my answer.

If it were my wedding, checking it as luggage might make me uncomfortable becuase luggage gets misplaced at times (although usuaally found).

Would you be able to fedex it? I purchased my wedding gown in Texas where I lived, but we got married in upstate NY and the dress shop overnighted to upstate for me. Anyway, I am saying this because they put it in a box and wrapped it almost as if I were in it (meaning stuffed with paper and standing on a hanger in a full length box).

Best wishes!
Sally

I've seen this question and discussion in previous posts, but do not know the answer. Try a search and see if it helps. Good luck!

I too carried my wedding dress (not ball-gown style, but with some pouf in the skirt) to Italy. I had it loosely rolled in thirds in the durable plastic zip up garmet bag the dress shop gave it to me in inside a larger duffle bag. I nicely explained to the staff at BA about my wedding the next day and they let me carry all my luggage (the duffle and a roll on) onto the plane. I wouldn't have the guts to risk checking my wedding dress!! Just be nice at check in and good luck.

I selected my wedding dress with the flight in mind, thus it wasn't a problem, thus it traveled well.

Did you buy it before you knew the destination?

Why don't you call the airline and ask? I actually left a formal gown on a plane once! Luckily, the plane was still being cleaned, and I ran back & got it.

I bring odd sized carry ons on board all the time, since I'm a musician. I usually call or email ahead of time, and someone answers back within 24 hours with the OK to take on a certain sized parcel, etc. In the past year, the only item I've ever seen denied as a carry on was a huge TV set enroute from Prague to Amsterdam. (DUH!!)

Anyone here on Fodors might tell you you can carry it on (or not, for that matter) but that won't hold any weight with the gate agent. You REALLY should call the airline to find out. It would be a REAL shame to show up assuming you could carry it on only to have to check it and not having a sturdy carrier for it.

(Just remember what happened to the wedding dress on "Airline" - NOT a pretty sight)

Hi Texas!
I got married in SF, but am living in NYC, so I had to take my big poufy wedding dress on board for a 6 hour flight. I was flying in cattle class on American, but everyone was incredibly nice. All the flight attendents were so helpful, and they arranged for my dress to be in the first class area (even if I couldn't be) :) I can't imagine that any airline personnel wouldn't try to help you out

Thanks for all your advice and good wishes. I appreciate it!

There was a letter to the newspaper just recently (in Australia) about a woman who got no help whatsoever with her wedding dress on the plane and it apparently arrived looking quite crumpled. I guess it depends on the airline and also the staff you speak to on the day. Also how full the plane is.

Kay

oops