Flying with a large painting
Jan 31, 2020, 9:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Flying with a large painting
I need to transport a large painting, about 40x30x2. 1) does the elite bag fee waiver apply to oversized bags? 2) does anyone have any experience transporting a similar large, fragile items? Can AS be trusted or should I send it in the mail?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Jan 31, 2020, 10:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
I cannot answer the elite bag issue but I have a lot of experience with having artworks shipped. Is the work framed and is there any glass or fragile elements. The best is to have the work in a wooden crate and shipped which can be heavy. Does it need a high insurance value? For non custom crates — ie less expensive — masterpak makes good shipping boxes that are used by gallery owners.
Jan 31, 2020, 10:55 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Technically no, it does not. You could package it well and still be within the 115" (linear) dimension limit for an oversized bag though. Taking it on board is not an option (where would it go?).
Feb 1, 2020, 12:35 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Alaska 75K (RIP VX), Hyatt Globalist, BonVoy Plat, National Exec
Posts: 197
If you put yourself in the right seat/plane, you *might* be able to carry it on.
In a similar situation, I easily brought a large painting framed w/glass (24"x36"x2" I think?) on board AS SFO-JFK.
I strategically confirmed myself in window seat 2A (or 2F works the same) in F on a pre-retrofitted Airbus. There is an incredibly generous, wide space to securely slip a painting between the seat and the window in the second row of first class on those planes.
Whether someone will stop you before you get to the plane, is up for debate, but there is space for it. Not sure if 30" is too wide for the TSA X-ray belt or not.
Another potential space is the coat closet in F on the 737s. They are usually 40" tall, not sure if they're 30"+ deep though.
Best of luck!
In a similar situation, I easily brought a large painting framed w/glass (24"x36"x2" I think?) on board AS SFO-JFK.
I strategically confirmed myself in window seat 2A (or 2F works the same) in F on a pre-retrofitted Airbus. There is an incredibly generous, wide space to securely slip a painting between the seat and the window in the second row of first class on those planes.
Whether someone will stop you before you get to the plane, is up for debate, but there is space for it. Not sure if 30" is too wide for the TSA X-ray belt or not.
Another potential space is the coat closet in F on the 737s. They are usually 40" tall, not sure if they're 30"+ deep though.
Best of luck!
Feb 1, 2020, 10:24 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 5,956
If you put yourself in the right seat/plane, you *might* be able to carry it on.
In a similar situation, I easily brought a large painting framed w/glass (24"x36"x2" I think?) on board AS SFO-JFK.
I strategically confirmed myself in window seat 2A (or 2F works the same) in F on a pre-retrofitted Airbus. There is an incredibly generous, wide space to securely slip a painting between the seat and the window in the second row of first class on those planes.
Whether someone will stop you before you get to the plane, is up for debate, but there is space for it. Not sure if 30" is too wide for the TSA X-ray belt or not.
Another potential space is the coat closet in F on the 737s. They are usually 40" tall, not sure if they're 30"+ deep though.
Best of luck!
In a similar situation, I easily brought a large painting framed w/glass (24"x36"x2" I think?) on board AS SFO-JFK.
I strategically confirmed myself in window seat 2A (or 2F works the same) in F on a pre-retrofitted Airbus. There is an incredibly generous, wide space to securely slip a painting between the seat and the window in the second row of first class on those planes.
Whether someone will stop you before you get to the plane, is up for debate, but there is space for it. Not sure if 30" is too wide for the TSA X-ray belt or not.
Another potential space is the coat closet in F on the 737s. They are usually 40" tall, not sure if they're 30"+ deep though.
Best of luck!
Feb 1, 2020, 11:36 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
Thanks for the input. Zero chance this painting fits anywhere in the cabin unless I buy an entire row of seats. If I have to pay the $100 oversized fee, mail is probably the way to go.
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
I cannot answer the elite bag issue but I have a lot of experience with having artworks shipped. Is the work framed and is there any glass or fragile elements. The best is to have the work in a wooden crate and shipped which can be heavy. Does it need a high insurance value? For non custom crates — ie less expensive — masterpak makes good shipping boxes that are used by gallery owners.
Feb 1, 2020, 4:44 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Atlanta Metro
Programs: DL , AC, BA, Hhonors Diamond, IH Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 2,352
Thanks for the input. Zero chance this painting fits anywhere in the cabin unless I buy an entire row of seats. If I have to pay the $100 oversized fee, mail is probably the way to go.
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
Put in a plastic garbage bag.
Wrap with bubble wrap.
Fold cardboard around entire package and tape.
Find or construct another, larger box.
Pack your pre-constructed "package" into the larger box, suspending it in the middle using packing materials.
Label appropriately: DO NOT CRUSH
Seal and ship.
(I'm an art collector.)
Feb 1, 2020, 5:17 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 452
Feb 1, 2020, 5:22 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: NYC
Programs: AS 75K, DL Platinum
Posts: 631
I appreciate all the helpful replies ITT thus far and would appreciate it even more if it didn’t turn into yet another “AS F suxs” debate.
Feb 1, 2020, 8:18 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 539
Thanks for the input. Zero chance this painting fits anywhere in the cabin unless I buy an entire row of seats. If I have to pay the $100 oversized fee, mail is probably the way to go.
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
.
Feb 1, 2020, 8:57 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: UA
Posts: 444
Thanks for the input. Zero chance this painting fits anywhere in the cabin unless I buy an entire row of seats. If I have to pay the $100 oversized fee, mail is probably the way to go.
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
It's an oil and canvas painting. No frame. It was a gift from a friend, so a bit hard to value, but I assume it's not worth enough to require a wooden crate. Appreciate the MasterPak suggestion ... I see they have several products, is there a particular box you like or would suggest for my use case?
I have never used a garbage bag to wrap something first -- tend to use glassine to protect the surface of the artwork. then either a masterpak titan box or a lot of bubble wrap and box within a box; hate the Styrofoam pellets. Bubble wrap is my friend.
I have been involved with art professionally and personally for decade and thankfully very few disasters.