Can You Bring Cymbals, Drumsticks, and Other Drumming Instruments on Planes?

It isn’t specified if you can bring drum mallets and brushes on planes in the United States, but according to TSA, drumsticks along with other musical instruments/equipment are allowed both in carry-on and checked baggage. Still, the final decision on if drum mallets and brushes could be a potential weapon will be from the security agent at the airport.

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You can bring drums both in carry-on and checked baggage on planes in the United States with specific instructions. Drums that travel inside the plane should meet the airline’s standards for carry-on baggage, and fit on the overhead compartment or underneath the front seat.

Some airlines might treat bigger drums as special baggage and allow passengers to buy an extra seat to travel with the instrument inside the plane. Otherwise, instruments that surpass carry-on size and weight must travel as checked baggage. Always contact your airline before your trip to learn about the best way to pack and travel with your instrument.

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Travelers should pack cymbals in carry-on luggage when their size allows them to. Overall, it’s best practice to carry instruments inside the cabin to prevent any damage to the instruments while traveling in cargo and avoid them getting stolen or lost. Larger cymbals that don’t fit on the overhead bin or underneath the front seat must travel inside the checked baggage.

The best and safest way to pack cymbals for flying in the United States is using a [amazon link=”B017EVRGWW” title=”padded cymbal bag”] or a [amazon link=”B003TN2GQG” title=”hard-shell cymbal case”] and taking it as part of your carry-on allowance on the plane. You can store it in the overhead bin or underneath the front seat. If the case doesn’t have separators, use cloths to prevent contact between cymbals.

If they’re traveling inside checked luggage, use clothes or airbags to provide extra cushion around the cymbal bag. If you’re traveling with multiple cymbals, store the smaller ones inside/on top of larger ones, all facing the same direction.

The best way to transport a drum set in an airplane is by packing each drum individually, first in a [amazon link=”B00130M446″ title= “padded drum bag”], and later in a [amazon link= “B01E3BFD1C” title=”hard drum case”]. A drum set will exceed most airlines’ carry-on allowance, even for special baggage allowed inside planes in the United States. As a result, you will likely have to check your drum set. Stands, pedals, and drumsticks can travel individually packed inside the same suitcase.

Passengers traveling with cymbals in carry-on luggage need to take out cymbals when going through airport security in the United States. According to TSA, cymbals need to go under physical inspection when going through the security checkpoint.

You can travel with electronic drums in carry-on and checked luggage on flights in the United States. TSA doesn’t classify them as banned items, so they should be accepted both in carry-on and checked baggage as long as they are packed correctly, and comply with weight and size standards. TSA limits only electronics with lithium batteries, and they don’t have any major restrictions for plug-in electronics, like electric drums.

Overall, cymbals are allowed as carry-on and checked baggage inside airplanes, and most musical instruments too. Still, hi-hats traveling in carry-on baggage will be subject to additional inspection and the security agent has the last call on if the hi-hat stand or the plates could be a possible weapon. Hi-hats in hand luggage are subject to the airline’s carry-on standards.