Wedding Dresses On Planes

[J&C 0]

OK, i have to take my amazing wedding dress with me when i fly next week. Virgin helpfully tell me it is up to the disgresion of the people on the desk on the day as to whether i will be able to carry it on board in its cover to hang up for the journey or if i will have to scrunch it into my suitcase NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY!!!!

I was wondering if anyone has tried this or has any thoughts on if they will let me? I am hoping for a simpathetic person. My back up plan is to take minimal carryon and a box the exact largest size that hand luggage can be and if they say no, to roll it carefully inside, carry it on and try not to cry.

Any thoughts?

[Cassie 8]

My mother brought my wedding dress down to the ceremony, and I also took it back to Canada for a wedding reception. Both times, we carried the dress onboard and asked to have it hung up in the front of the plane. We never had a problem with the crew or with the check-in staff. I had more congratulations on getting married from them! Do everything you can not to have your dress checked in as luggage, I've heard of way too many horror stories of dresses getting wrecked.

[TracyLuis 0]

I had to take my wedding dress on my flight to Lima back in March. I used a garment bag to put it in, so it wouldn't get too wrinkled. And then I asked the flight attendent if there was any way she could hang it up for me (as I boarded the plane) and she was sweet enough to take it up to first class and hang it in the closet there.

BUT, when I was leaving Lima with my wedding dress, I asked a male flight attendent the same thing, and he just said, "Sorry...you'll have to put it in the overhead bin." But as soon as I began to plead my case, the flight attendent who helped me the first time walked up, recognized me, and offered to hang my dress up in first class again! I was so glad to see her!

To sum it all up, you'll probably be at the mercy of the flight attendent on your plane. Just hope he or she is in a good mood

[Muuuuah 0]

I sent mine by FEDEX...took 3 days to get here and it was a reasonable price...i was told that i would have to put mine in my luggage....like i was going to let that happen....so fedex maybe a good option for you

[homesick_american 1]

When I emigrated to the UK I carried my wedding dress on the plane with me. I flew British Airways and they couldn't have been more helpful.

[J&C 0]

Thanks for your experiences. Very helpful. I am going to take it in its cover and try to find a decent checkin clerk. Fingers crossed!

[Mags 112]

A friend of mine bought her wedding dress in the UK and was getting married in South Africa. She was not able to take the dress in the cabin with her...but she WAS allowed to put it in the front hold. This is the area underneath the captain where the flight crew put all of their belongings.

All that happens is that they take the dress from you as you board and then they return it to you as you leave the aircraft.

What this is like for transatlantic flights I don't know...but it IS worth a try if you have exhausted all other options.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

You've heard of a "suit carrier"? That's probably the best thing for the purpose--as it allows it to be carried pressed and not overfolded.

You can hang the dress (in carrier) in the aircraft's little closet.

Edited October 4, 2006 by CherryXS

[missy_antha 0]

I have had some very bad experiences with Virgin in the past and have vowed never to travel with them again.

Therfore please let us know how you get on and if they are helpful as I will be doing the same thing in January.

Fingers crossed that you get someone super helpful

[CarolineM 0]

I carried on my dress on United to AUstralia with no issues whatsoever. They hung it up for me and were super nice about it

The connection on Qantas was equally as helpful

[rob&ana 0]

I sent mine by FEDEX...took 3 days to get here and it was a reasonable price...i was told that i would have to put mine in my luggage....like i was going to let that happen....so fedex maybe a good option for you

I did this too...

Had it packaged from the store, and then flew it directly to Rob's mom in Pitts. The dress got here before I did... LOL. Took it to the cleaners just to get it steamed, was worth the money.

[Lansbury 19]

OK, i have to take my amazing wedding dress with me when i fly next week. Virgin helpfully tell me it is up to the disgresion of the people on the desk on the day as to whether i will be able to carry it on board in its cover to hang up for the journey or if i will have to scrunch it into my suitcase NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY!!!!

I was wondering if anyone has tried this or has any thoughts on if they will let me? I am hoping for a simpathetic person. My back up plan is to take minimal carryon and a box the exact largest size that hand luggage can be and if they say no, to roll it carefully inside, carry it on and try not to cry.

Any thoughts?

I wonder if you have considered the current security restrictions concerning carry on items. It might be worth checking with the airport you are flying from to see if they will allow it through security even if the airline do not insist on it being checked in.

[J&C 0]

This is a good point. I am planning to take it on a plastic hanger. I will ring Heathrow to double check. Thanks for that thought.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

This is a good point. I am planning to take it on a plastic hanger. I will ring Heathrow to double check. Thanks for that thought.

That should work fine, so long as the aircraft has that small clothes-closet.

[J&C 0]

Hi, thought you might like an update.

Got to the airport, saw big check-in queue. Virgin guy saw me. At this point i should mention i was clutching my purse and brown envelope, had a 2m ski bag, huge suitcase and precariously balanced on top, my very obvious white wedding dress bag. He took one look at me and took me to the nearest empty check-in desk where i was immediatly checked in with no mention of my oversize and weight luggage.

Then another Virgin girl asked me if that was a wedding dress. We had a breift conversation about whether or not it would be let through security and then she decided to personally escort me through, just in case!!! I hid my envelope and bag inside the dress cover and we went up to security. The Virgin girl did all the talking, and i was then walked through security-no questions asked.

On the plane, the stewards put the dress in the tall cupboard in First class.

I VIRGIN, no kidding, gold star for customer service. I highly recomend them.