Flying with a Handpan? Here's What You Need to Know
So you finally got your dream handpan, and now you are ready to take it with you on your next vacation. The only issue is: How can I fly safely with my handpan? This short blog will explain to you exactly what you need to do in order to fly with your handpan, worry free.
Will my handpan fit in the overhead?
Unfortunately it is most likely that your handpan will not fit in the overhead on a domestic flight in the USA. Some international flights or large planes can fit most standard size handpans. Read on to find out more about the options for traveling with a handpan.
Did you know that the standard carry-on size limitation varies by the airline? The average size of a handpan case (like a medium evatek or namana bag from Isthmus) actually usually exceeds standard size for a carry-on. So in reality, most airlines can still try to ask you to check your instrument as checked baggage, because the carry-on size of it doesn’t really align with most of the standard size limitations. This fact leaves you with a few options.
Option 1: Carry your handpan onto the plane anyway.
Option 2: Check your handpan as luggage.
Option 3: Ship your handpan ahead in a box.
Option 1: Handpan carry on
Try to bring your handpan on the plane, and get a flight attendant to put it in the cabin closet.
We mostly don’t recommend this option. Read on to learn more.
If you choose to try and carry your handpan on the plane, you may run into a few issues. First, if you check-in and get your ticket in person, the ticketing agent will likely request that you check your instrument as luggage due to space constraints. This is when you must politely inform that you are carrying a very valuable musical instrument, and that it will get damaged if handled poorly. And simply insist that you would like to carry it onto the plane. Most times the ticketing agent will allow you to go through- however note the following- it’s at your own risk.
Many smaller domestic flights in the USA have overheads that are simply too small to fit handpans of standard sizes. Which includes medium Evatek carrying cases (with or without a fly kit). Large evateks will almost never fit on any plane.
So, when you are trying to board a plane with your handpan, it’s always a good idea to arrive to your gate as early as possible and talk to the gate attendant about fitting your instrument on the plane. Ask if you may board early to get help finding a place for it, or if they expect you to need to check it planeside.
Regardless of what they say, add the check-in tag to your handpan bag, and still attempt to board with the instrument. Try to board as early as possible, and talk directly with the flight attendant. Ask if they have a place for your valuable musical instrument in the cabin closet when you board. Your instrument must be stored here for most domestic flights in the USA that have extremely small overheads.
Most domestic flights in the USA won’t fit hardcases in the overheads. It’s ‘coat’ closet or gate-checked.
If there is no cabin room for your handpan, you will have to check it at the gate or planeside. This is unavoidable sometimes, and can be very stressful. In this situation, it’s crucial that your instrument is protected in a hard case, or softcase with adequate protection/inserts. We recommend politely asking the flight attendant or baggage handlers (if possible) to handle your instrument with care. In some cases they may be willing to hand carry it planeside or load it last to help ensure it doesn’t get thrown around.
Other notes:
Larger planes, (often international flights) may have enough space in their overheads to fit your handpan in it’s case as a carry on.
If you are using an Evatek Flight Kit inside an Evatek Hardcase, beware this doesn’t make flying 100% safe, but the added protection does not hurt.
Taking your handpan as a carry on is always nerve racking, and not 100% safe if you are using a handpan case that is mostly round.
Cabin space to store your handpan on any plane, is never guaranteed.
Option 2: Check your handpan as luggage.
If you don’t have a custom handpan case or are on a budget, a well packed cardboard box (like the boxes we ship our instruments in) with foam padding or lots of bubble wrap can prevent a handpan from getting crushed or dropped directly on the note sides. This option is tried and tested for shipments across the world. Flying is no exception when it comes to the safe shipment of a well packed, square box. We recommend double-walled boxes and sturdy packing material, but adequete padding can really also do the trick. The only problem with checking a cardboard box is you will have to carry this box with you to up to check-in. And usually the box size for a handpan can be cumbersome, if not impossible to deal with when you need transportation at your destination.
A sturdy box and adequete packing can help you travel with your handpan, either infrequently, or when on a budget.
Option 3: Ship your handpan ahead of you to your destination.
A well packed box (like the boxes we ship our instruments in) with foam padding or lots of bubble wrap can prevent a handpan from getting crushed or dropped directly on the note sides. This option is tried and tested for shipments across the world. Why not pack and ship the instrument to your destination and leave the worry at home? Many hotels will allow you to ship packages to them, and we would guess family and friends would be willing to do the same.
For less stress when flying with a handpan, we recommend shipping the instrument ahead of time or getting a speciality handpan case that is proven to be safe to check. We hope this helps you travel easier with your handpan!
