Traveling with oversized artwork
Aug 6, 2022, 11:36 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
Traveling with oversized artwork
Hi All!
I have a question for you all. My mother in laws brother passed away recently so she will be flying SEA-HNL with a piece of art work that was with her brother. I don’t think it’s particularly valuable aside from the sentimentality. She was asking me how best to fly with it… she called customer service and they mentioned that she could put it in the closet at the front of the cabin but I have my doubts that will work given crew bags may be in there.
Over all the package is about 28”x36”. The big worry is that she will get on the plane and it won’t fit and she will have to check it… which it wont be properly packed to do. She is flying F on a 737 MAX 9 so the bins will be large… maybe they will fit there?
thank you!!
I have a question for you all. My mother in laws brother passed away recently so she will be flying SEA-HNL with a piece of art work that was with her brother. I don’t think it’s particularly valuable aside from the sentimentality. She was asking me how best to fly with it… she called customer service and they mentioned that she could put it in the closet at the front of the cabin but I have my doubts that will work given crew bags may be in there.
Over all the package is about 28”x36”. The big worry is that she will get on the plane and it won’t fit and she will have to check it… which it wont be properly packed to do. She is flying F on a 737 MAX 9 so the bins will be large… maybe they will fit there?
thank you!!
Aug 6, 2022, 11:40 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: SAN
Programs: AS Mileage Plan 100k, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 991
Pretty sure that wouldn't fit in a bin, and that's the last place I would want artwork anyway.
The closet it pretty small, but if they ask nicely and explain what it is I would imagine the F FA is going to do their best to accommodate. But it's not a guarantee.
To be honest, the best idea here is get it packaged appropriately and ship it UPS.
The closet it pretty small, but if they ask nicely and explain what it is I would imagine the F FA is going to do their best to accommodate. But it's not a guarantee.
To be honest, the best idea here is get it packaged appropriately and ship it UPS.
Aug 6, 2022, 12:14 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,848
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping...able%20artwork.
and I suspect UPS has similar offerings.
Aug 6, 2022, 1:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Alaska 75K (RIP VX), Hyatt Globalist, BonVoy Plat, National Exec
Posts: 197
This thread has some helpful advice, including my own experience flying with a 24" x 36" painting without issue.
Quick carry-on question
I had no problems placing it between my seat and the window, while seated in first class (seat 2A) when the Airbuses still had the VX big white recliner seats in F, SFO-JFK.
One other consideration is if it will fit through the Xray machine at the TSA checkpoint @ SEA.
I think it would also likely fit in the coat closets in 737 F cabins.
Quick carry-on question
I had no problems placing it between my seat and the window, while seated in first class (seat 2A) when the Airbuses still had the VX big white recliner seats in F, SFO-JFK.
One other consideration is if it will fit through the Xray machine at the TSA checkpoint @ SEA.
I think it would also likely fit in the coat closets in 737 F cabins.
Aug 7, 2022, 6:38 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco
Programs: GM on VX, UA, AA, HA, AS, SY; Budget Fastbreak
Posts: 27,609
I would ship it which means buying the cardboard box and packing supplies. It’s not cheap and it’ll save a lot of airport hassle. Going to a ups store or FedEx store or any package delivery store will help because staff usually can help with the packing process.
Aug 7, 2022, 9:08 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
@AKronin recently shipped some larger art. I know he got it to ANC successfully; can't recall the other details. If it doesn't go on, are they able to cancel and rebook the flight prior to departure? This may be a YMMV situation. And how full is the flight?
Aug 9, 2022, 2:02 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
Aug 11, 2022, 10:34 am
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: PDX
Programs: AS DL
Posts: 9,038
I once shipped a larger painting and frame as air cargo on United LAX-SFO. It was to go on a specific flight, the flight I was taking. I retrieved the cargo at the back side of the airport, not the passenger terminal.
Several possibilities.
1. See if the artwork is a painting and can be rolled up after removal from the frame.
2. Properly pack it in a box and ship it as luggage or air cargo.
3. Properly pack it and ship it UPS or Fedex.
4. See if there is a canvas shopping bag that the artwork can fit. See if you can bring it on board based on the thickness is not very thick so it's a 28" x 36" x 2.5"
Several possibilities.
1. See if the artwork is a painting and can be rolled up after removal from the frame.
2. Properly pack it in a box and ship it as luggage or air cargo.
3. Properly pack it and ship it UPS or Fedex.
4. See if there is a canvas shopping bag that the artwork can fit. See if you can bring it on board based on the thickness is not very thick so it's a 28" x 36" x 2.5"