How to Fly with a Wedding Dress

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Can I fly with a wedding dress?

Yes, you can absolutely fly with a wedding dress. 💍✈️

We get it… figuring out how to pack it, carry it, and deal with different airline rules can be stressful.

Book your flights with Alternative Airlines, and we’ll help make it easy. We can even contact the airline for you, so you know exactly what to expect before you fly.

Top tips for flying with a wedding dress

Ask the airline

If they have room on the plane, you can ask the airline if they can hang up your wedding dress in the closet of the aircraft. Please be aware that space fills up quickly on aircraft, and it's not always possible to do this. We suggest asking the airline that you're flying on as early as possible. Buy your flight with Alternative Airlines, and we'll be happy to ask them for you.

Get your wedding dress professionally packed

One of the best things you can do to prepare for flying with a wedding dress is to get it professionally packed in a box from the bridal outlet from which you bought it. You can ask them to pack it within a box that fits exactly with the carry-on baggage size specifications of the airline that you're flying on. Have a look at our section, which outlines the carry-on baggage size allowance for some of the most popular airlines.

Take your wedding dress in your checked baggage

With a bigger size and weight allowance, it's much easier to pack your wedding dress in your checked baggage. However, on rare occasions, checked baggage can get lost in transit, so please be mindful of the risk of taking your wedding dress in checked baggage.

Buy a plane ticket for your wedding dress

If you want to ensure that your dress stays with you at all times — and it's within your budget — you can buy a plane ticket for your dress so that you have room to store it on an empty seat next to you. While it might be the most expensive option, this is the best way to ensure your dress stays unwrinkled.

Airline baggage allowance

If you're going to get your wedding dress professionally packed in a box, it's important to make sure that the box fits within the carry-on baggage size and weight allowance for your airline. Here are the carry-on baggage size and weight allowances for a few of the most popular airlines.

Flying with a wedding dress with Emirates

Passengers flying in Economy Class with Emirates are allowed to bring on one item of carry-on baggage which can't exceed the dimensions of 55 x 38 x 20cm and must be no heavier than 7kg. Those flying in Business Class and First class are allowed to bring on an additional bag that can't exceed the dimensions of 45 x 35 x 20 cm and must be no heavier than 7kg.

Flying with a wedding dress with British Airways

All passengers flying on British Airways are entitled to two items of carry-on baggage. The first is standard carry-on baggage that must fit within the dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25 cm and be no heavier than 23kg. The second is a small bag which must fit within the dimensions of 40 x 30 x 15cm and be no heavier than 23kg.

Flying with a wedding dress with Virgin Atlantic

Passengers flying in Economy Class and Premium Class with Virgin Atlantic can bring one item of carry-on baggage on their flight. This baggage must be no larger than 23 x 36 x 56cm and has a maximum weight allowance of 10kg. Passengers flying in Upper Class with Virgin Atlantic may take two pieces of hand baggage with the same dimensions with a total weight of 16kg. However, one individual bag must not exceed the weight of 12kg.

Flying with a wedding dress with Delta Airlines

Passengers flying on Delta Air Lines are entitled to one item of carry-on baggage. This baggage must not exceed 144cm in combined length and fit within the dimensions of 56 x 35 x 23cm. There are no weight restrictions on Delta Air Lines flights for carry-on baggage unless you're flying to Changi International Airport (7kg), Beijing Capital International Airport (10kg) or Pudong International Airport (10kg).

Flying with a wedding dress with Southwest Airlines

Passengers flying on Southwest Airlines two take pieces of baggage with them on the aircraft — one carry-on baggage and one personal item. The carry-on baggage must fit within the dimensions of 25 x 40 x 60 cm. The personal item must fit within the dimensions of 46 x 21 34 cm. Southwest Airlines doesn't state a weight allowance on carry-on items.

What are the best places to get married?

Is your wedding coming up? Are you looking for inspiration on where to get married? Check out our handy blog that highlights the most incredible places to get married in the world!

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Flying with a wedding dress FAQs

How do I fly with a wedding dress?

There are many different ways that you can fly with a wedding dress. For example, you can get your wedding dress professionally packed in a box that fits within the size and weight baggage policy of the airline that you're flying on. Scroll up to take a look at the size and weight policy for carry-on baggage for some of the most popular airlines.

How much does it cost to get my wedding dress professionally packed?

It can cost between $50n - $150USD to get your wedding dress professionally packed in a box. Ask to get it packed at the bridal store that you bought your dress from, or at any other bridal outlet.

Does it cost any extra to fly with a wedding dress?

No. It doesn't cost any extra to fly with a wedding dress unless you're buying additional checked baggage for your dress. You can take your wedding dress in your carry-on baggage free of charge as long as it fits within the size and weight allowance of the airline that you're flying on.