Has anyone flown with a wedding dress?

I would talk to the airline involved. Some are more flexible and accomdating than others. I have heard of one that will let you hang it up in thier closet, and others that just say no. I have also heard about some boxes than the bridal shop can pack it into to stop it being creased they are specially for flying. I have never had first hand expierence of either though.

Last year we flew to Jamaica for my BFF's DW wedding via southwest. They let her carry it on in a garment bag.

My mother flew with my sister's dress from Texas to Key West, Florida. She flew Southwest Airlines. She arrived at the gate and spoke with the gate check people prior to boarding. One of the flight attendants put it on the plane in one of their private closets before everyone else boarded the plane. It worked out well, but I think your best option is to call the airline ahead of time and see what they do to accommodate this. Surely this comes up frequently for them.

Thank you all for your advice and experience, I really appreciate it. Now I know I definitely need to call the airline I'll be using to get a plan in place since I don't want to just show up with a dress and hope for the best

Following. I will most likely fly from Minnesota to Texas... not interested in a 14 hour drive lol

Honestly, I would just ship it using FedEx or UPS. Getting packages to their destination is what they do. That's usually what I do whenever I travel.

I did consider shipping it but so scared something would happen to it since I've had packages delivered damaged or delayed before . I will however most likely ship it home after the wedding since I won't be so concerned

Thank goodness for this thread! I'm flying from LA to Atlanta for my wedding in just under 3 months and was wondering the same thing. BTW: your dress is stunning!

I would hang it rather than put it in overhead bins. One of my friends had her lace dress very badly stained on her flight home for her wedding because something liquid had spilled in tthe overhead bin and it shifted around in flight. Her mom ended up treating it with something the day before the wedding and it was fine, but stressful.

Following too! I'm flying from Texas to Michigan for my wedding in December! I'm super nervous to fly with my dress!

Call the airlines and talk to the gate agent before your flight.

Then hope for the closet, but prepare for the overhead bin. Actually, I'd probably assume you'll get the overhead bin and prepare for how you would pack that, then if you get to use the closet that's an excellent bonus! Then you just have to budget to get it steamed when you get to your final destination.

Mine ended up in overheads the whole way, but I just made sure that I kept an eagle eye on what anyone else was putting up there. Most people saw the white garment bag and were super respectful about not shoving it around. The few people who didn't, immediately apologized once I explained it was a wedding dress.

My garment bag by itself is too big to carry on. I ended up rolling it into a a soft duffle, which is what I will have to do on the way to the wedding as well. I have to get last minute alterations and bustle, so my tailor will also steam it for me before the wedding to get all the wrinkles out.

I flew St. Louis to Maui with my dress. You can google it, but some airlines have captain's closet and will let you hang your dress. I flew American the whole way there and was able to hang it all 3 flights. I shipped it back UPS on the way home. The flight attendants were all super nice. Don't be afraid to ask!

I have an aunt and uncle driving to my DW, they will be hauling the dress. I am afraid to fly with it. They may also end up with my makeup crate. If not I would be contacting the airline to see what options are available. I would be damned to let that thing out of my sight.

I read that some people put it in the garment bag, and then Loosely roll it up to fit in a carry on bag. Then you'd have to steam it or have it steamed at your hotel. I've gone back and forth and I think this is what I'll be doing. It'll be more protected in a carry on bag than just the garment bag and I don't want to chance not having space in the closet.

Most planes have closets on bored for things like dresses. Call your airline ahead of time to double check, and if they do you can bring your dress right in a garment bag and they will store it for you in the closet! When I was considering a destination wedding at one point I asked about this with the resort and airlines and I guess it's very common and most airlines are very helpful!

I'm so grateful for all the replies, I wasn't sure if this was common and if I'd be chancing it by bringing it on the plane. Based on your responses it doesn't seem like I'll likely need to purchase a seat for it. I just envisioned people shoving their overhead luggage and possibly damaging my dress.

Thanks Taina for the compliment on the dress, I just bought it over the weekend and absolutely love it