Size of Overhead Bin?
 

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes anyway. My son is a guitarist currently at UMass Lowell. He's traveled in the past, as well as I , with a Fender guitar in its hardshell case, on both Continental and JetBlue. He'll be flying down from Boston to FLL for the winter break and back on one of Continental's 737-800 jets.

I remember taking a guitar on a Continetal flight but don't remember if they had one of those narrow closets or I put it in the overhead. What I'd like to know if possible is the size of the overhead on the 737, and what are chances they will make him check it (not a palatable choice). The previous flights, they were very nice and understanding. He is flying on Christmas day, so hopefully it won't be too crowded, though I won't hold my breath for that.
The case is approx 44x15x4.
Any help is much appreciated.

I saw someone with a full size acoustic guitar on my last flight out of FLL on a 757, he had to go all the way to the back to put it in one of the overhead bins back there but they allowed it, and it fit (long ways of course)

Of note is that the overhead bins SEEM smaller on the 757 due to the latch design, not sure if it is a fact or not just my perception from using them, so if it fits on a 757 it should work on a 737 as well.

The bins on 752's are larger than ones on most of the 737-NG's

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

The change in the carryon sizing rules might force the guitar to the belly of the aircraft if you're on a full flight. I'm flying home to EWR from FLL on Christmas Day myself, so if I see a guy with a guitar I'll be sure to ask.

+1
Aren't there special considerations for musical instruments?
There is something about it here.

At 44x15x4 the guitar doesn't qualify as oversized, since that starts at 90 linear inches. The second part of the quoted section sounds like it's a cabin crew judgment call based on how loaded the flight is. I know my flight home on Christmas morning has 50-ish empty seats.