Any experiences on bringing a cello onto a VA Domestic flight?

[theoracle30]

Next year I'll be relocating from Perth to Launceston for work. I would like to bring my cello with me.

I will most likely use VA since I'm WP and because of their instrument-friendly policy:

"Guests who wish to travel with a cello or guitar in the cabin must purchase an additional seat. For further information please contact the Guest Contact Centre."​

Before I phone them up (my travel date isn't confirmed yet), I was wondering if anyone has done this before and can share their experiences. Specifically:

1) What proportion of the fare did you have to pay for the additional seat?

- Any chance of getting it discounted/free as a WP and/or if the flight is not very full?​

2) Was there any issues with bringing the cello through airport security?

I do realise that I can easily check-in the cello with my free baggage allowance, but I just want to evaluate this safer option first. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Must...Fly!]

I cannot speak for taking it through security, but you will not have been the first they will encounter.

As for the fare, you are testing my memory, but I think - base fare + surcharges, but not taxes. I wish you luck as a WP but you won't get away with that. There is no way of knowing until the flight leaves the gate how full it will be and VA is not going to give away a chance to sell a seat.

Having seen the nasty end of being unprepared first hand with many tears flowing...just pay for the extra seat. You'll be glad you did.

 

[awaywithfairies]

Not speaking from personal experience but I remember speaking with a client a few years ago who played the double bass professionally with various Australian orchestras. Just out of curiosity, I asked them how they managed air travel with their instrument. They mentioned VA as one of the better airlines in providing an additional free baggage allowance. Mind you, that's probably some sort of corporate arrangement negotiated via the orchestra...

I finished up with "Well, I guess that's a problem flautists don't have to worry about". To which he replied (with a look of contempt) "Yeah, but who'd want to play a FLUTE?".

 

[theoracle30]

UPDATE: I booked my flight then phoned up to book the extra seat for the cello. It cost the same as the fare minus taxes. Sitting in first row of Economy (10H/K for A330 and 3E/F for 737).

Only thing is, they've ticketed the Cello as EXST / lastname (EXST = extra seat for personal comfort). According to their ticketing guide here, it appears a Cello should be ticketed as CBBG / lastname (CBBG = bulky carry-on cabin baggage).

I phoned them again after ticketing and the VA Plat call centre insisted it was ticketed right, so I won't push it again right now. Hopefully it all works out when I get to the airport. I'll give an update on how it goes, late Jan 2018.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Ah my memory served me correctly then.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the EXST bit. Again from memory it's just for W&B to take the extra baggage in to account for the take off weight. So it's important but not important, if you know what I mean. It's easy enough for that edit to be changed at check-in anyway if needed.

If you spoke to the WP call centre then I would not worry about it.

 

[Dannyism]

Hi, I seem to be a bit late to this thread.

My cousin plays in a band, she plays cello, the whole gang regularly fly around with all their gear in the hold, including the cello. I see you've bought a seat, but my suggestion is that it would be fine to check it in if you have a suitable case.

I myself have checked my guitar (albeit my cheap practice one) into the hold and had no worries.

 

[Denali]

My husband has checked his guitars ($7K+) on International flights with no issues but he takes them to the gate and leaves them with the strollers and hopes for the best. Dont know if I would be as trusting with domestic.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

You do get the VFF points and VFF SC earnings for the "friend" ie the Cello.
I have done Seat Comfort bookings before.
3A on the 737 is Y(X) without anything in front, so you have belt the friend in (edit) within its case of course!
As it probably wouldn't fit into the overhead bins for Y(X) though.
If I were in your position, I would be happy with that (extra points and SC) and not quibble with how they describe it.

 

[Flying Fox]

Would be great if you could belt out a tune during the flight too (how about the music from Jaws??) !

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Would be great if you could belt out a tune during the flight too (how about the music from Jaws??) !

Not sure if those who are not musically inclined might appreciate a cello being played in flight.

 

[Hvr]

Only thing is, they've ticketed the Cello as EXST / lastname (EXST = extra seat for personal comfort). According to their ticketing guide here, it appears a Cello should be ticketed as CBBG / lastname (CBBG = bulky carry-on cabin baggage).

I phoned them again after ticketing and the VA Plat call centre insisted it was ticketed right, so I won't push it again right now. Hopefully it all works out when I get to the airport. I'll give an update on how it goes, late Jan 2018.

I guess as long as it is all registered as a cello they'll know it's not a fiddle to get a second seat.

 

[Marty_]

I might be missing something, but why not just check it in? As WP you get 3 bags. They have oversized baggage handling.

I'm sure it's far from the first instrument-shaped case the ground crew have seen. They won't throw it at a wall or anything.

As for "extra seat for personal comfort" - they will just assume you're obese

 

[theoracle30]

I might be missing something, but why not just check it in?

I'm starting to think maybe I should have done that, but it's already booked. I just panicked thinking about the possibilities if it got checked in.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Having seen the way that hold baggage is treated by some baggage handlers, they can be quite rough at times when they think no one is looking.
Some are very good in moving things from the baggage trolleys onto the conveyor belt, but some carry it off the trolley and drop it onto the conveyor belt.
Personally, I would take the cello on board as HLO and earn the bonus SC, yes, I know the OP had paid for the comfort seat for the cello.

 

[theoracle30]

Thanks for your input everyone!

Slightly OT on my own thread now, but my WP membership kit arrived today and it looks marvelous

The bag tags are made of heavy metal (grey) and purple plastic which has my details printed on it. The grey part swivels over to cover the purple.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Thanks for your input everyone!

Slightly OT on my own thread now, but my WP membership kit arrived today and it looks marvelous

The bag tags are made of heavy metal (grey) and purple plastic which has my details printed on it. The grey part swivels over to cover the purple.

Well done, those bag tags look great!

Looking forward to perhaps getting a set of my own in March

 

[maccaisking]

UPDATE: I booked my flight then phoned up to book the extra seat for the cello. It cost the same as the fare minus taxes. Sitting in first row of Economy (10H/K for A330 and 3E/F for 737).

Only thing is, they've ticketed the Cello as EXST / lastname (EXST = extra seat for personal comfort). According to their ticketing guide here, it appears a Cello should be ticketed as CBBG / lastname (CBBG = bulky carry-on cabin baggage).

I phoned them again after ticketing and the VA Plat call centre insisted it was ticketed right, so I won't push it again right now. Hopefully it all works out when I get to the airport. I'll give an update on how it goes, late Jan 2018.

Hi BL, not sure if you paid attention, but do you know if the extra seat you booked on this flight counted for eligible sectors in retaining WP? Mrs Mac has enough SC to retain and gift WP to me, but will fall 1 sector short of the 8 needed by her review date. We currently live OS so can’t do a status run, I was considering changing an upcoming flight to add a connection, but this way would be cheaper and more convenient.

Happy to hear from anyone else who may know the answer as well.