Flying with a wedding gown (United)?

Hope they don't punch it lol. Sorry no advice just a bad joke.

No. But I have to fly w mine too. I'm on JetBlue though. I will absolutely not be checking it lol.

I won't be flying, but my FMIL flies a lot. When she has something valuable to take from MI to FL or vice versa, she ships it to herslef via FedEx. Of course you may need a steam after. But maybe carry a portable steamer? Just a thought, sorry I haven't any real experience with this.

I definitely would rather take my chances with it on the plane before I would ship my dress to Jamaica via the USPS. Please don't do this...

I am not sure about united specifically, but depending on the airline and the size of the plane there usually is a closet in the front of the plane. If there is no room or if it is a smaller plane and doesn't have one then they are typically stored overhead. I know some brides have packed it in a bag/carry on suitcase that fits the size requirement.

My friend just flew with her wedding dress on southwest. She just made sure to get on early and then put her and her husbands luggage in a bin and put her dress on top of it. She said it worked perfectly.

I'd be shipping mine if friends weren't driving to my dw.

When we flew on our pre-wedding family vacation to Jamaica, the flight was very full, and a couple with their wedding dress got on really early. They were told they would not hang the dress, and she had to fold it up and jam it in an overhead bin.

She was really upset, and the rest of us were shocked the crew wouldn't/didn't help with a better solution.

I think a lot of it has to do with how you act when asking for help, and how you treat the crew. It could also be impacted by what room is available and how the crew is doing that day. I would err on the side of having a bag it fit in you could put in the overhead compartment, or ask if you could check it at the gate like a stroller?

If it is at all possible, I would take it as a carry on. Depending on how poofy your dress is, it would fit in a roller board. If not, you can take it in its garment bag. Just check online first to find out what types of planes you will be on to make sure. Most airplanes have a place to hang clothes, you would just have to ask the flight attendant as you are walking onto the plane.

I second the valet-check option. They treat those much better than regular checked luggage.

I wouldn't fly on United for any reason. I cancelled my United credit card due to the way they abused and beat that passenger 2 months ago. I'd find another airline and CARRY that gown with you or pay a reputable delivery service. Insure it for the full amount.

I'm flying with my dress on united as well. I'm planning on rolling it up and putting it in a carry on bag. I don't want to chance not having space for it in the garment bag, and I plan on getting it steamed when we get there.

Update: The gown survived!

So the closet on the plane was WAYYYYY shorter than I anticipated so I actually had the gown share the overhead bin with my carry-on (luckily the flight wasn't full so there was lots of room). When we got to the resort, my gown was in perfect condition and didn't need anything done to it. It was a lot of fun to walk through the airport with the gown - lots of really nice people congratulated us!

For the flight home, I just rolled it up and put it in a carry-on bag. It's still all rolled up until I take it to be preserved!

I'm so happy to hear it worked out for you and that you let everyone know. I'm flying to Hawaii tomorrow for my wedding and I'm hopeful on top of our carry ons works. Did they count it as a carry on though? I'm worried they won't allow me my backpack, my purse and my dress. In which case, the purse is being stuffed into the backpack.

View Quoted Comment Best wishes on your upcoming wedding!!!
I brought a carryon, my purse, and then the gown without any problems. I would call the airline to double check.
It was so much fun walking through the airport with the gown - everyone congratulated us and was super nice (even TSA employees!). Have fun!

View Quoted Comment How did it go for you? Trying to travel Jetblue with my dress

View Quoted Comment Kelsey, they let us board early and they took extra special care to help me place my dress in one of their closets.

View Quoted Comment That’s interesting because JetBlue said they didn’t have a closet and wouldn’t let me bring the garment bag on the plane They said even if I bought another seat that they’d fold it up and seatbelt it in themselves and I couldn’t do it