The dress & Southwest Airlines.....

NICOLEWILSON85

I have e-mailed SW airlines asking them if they would allow a wedding dress as a carry-on. They say yes, but that it must go int the overhead storage.
Has anyone else had any other experiences with SW Airlines?

mhoneybee

That sounds about right.  Since SW doesn't have first class they don't have the area between first and coach where a coat closet would normally be put to hang jackets.  If you plan on having your dress steamed when you get to Vegas, the overhead bin shouldn't be too bad.  I'd rather put it there then leave it up to the baggage handlers to get it on the plane.

NICOLEWILSON85

yea....i definately do not want to check it,...but current;y my dress is just in the garment bag...i am also unsure if i should but an additional dress bag to carry that in..

ellenalabama

I say the more protection the better!  Plus make sure you put it in after everyone has put their bags in the overhead!

MNVegas

I have my dress currently in a "breathable" dress bag and will put that one into the David's vinyl dress bag that it originally came with. If the vinyl one rips at least there will be another layer of protection.  We are flying Southwest also and just plan on carrying it on and putting in overhead bin.  I will be standing guard at the overhead bin to make sure no one puts anything on top of it or tries to scrunch it up before we take off.

mhoneybee

One of the things my seamstress recommended when my sister flew with her dress was to have it inside out.  That way if they opened it at security and touched it you didn't risk marks or stains on the dress from their gloves if they happened to touch something dirty before your dress.  I will probably have her do the same for me.

NICOLEWILSON85

never thought of that! great idea

rachel.wenger

I took my dress through security and flew on Southwest out to LV.  They didn't check the bag at security...you HAVE to put it through the machine, no if ands or buts about it. 

They made me fold my dress in half on the plane as the flight was full.  I had to place it on top of several other suitcases in the overhead storage.  Just wanted to let you know. Otherwise, you may want to consider shipping it out there beforehand if your dress is huge.

NICOLEWILSON85

Thank you all for the input!

mayanut

I flew SW with my dress without any problem, except trying to get all the air out so it would go through the xray.  But, I highly recommend arranging steaming in LV, if for no other reason than stress relief.  I lugged it through the airport and folded it in half on the plane without any worries.  I knew it would be steamed when we got there.

allureproductions

In Response to Re: The dress & Southwest Airlines.....:

Oh boy, I just had to deal with this today. You CAN put it in an overhead bin BUT if your flight is even close to full, your dress will not have it to itself and anyone can mess up your dress with their luggage. My dress is very poofy and organza so no frickin way am I letting that happen!

The best option I was given by Southwest and chose to do was to purchase a one way ticket for my dress to have its own seat. It was cheaper than having to take it to someone to get fluffed up and steamed if it got squished by other people's luggage. Plus now I get extra carry ons and checked luggage. I don't care about my dress getting smooshed on the way back