V-Flyer

Hi, I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice on travelling with my wedding dress?

I will be flying from Chicago O'Hare to London Heathrow, in Upper Class. Will I be ok just carrying it on in a garment bag? Will it be possible to hang it up in one of the UC wardrobes?

Thanks in advance for any help

Welcome to V-Flyer. [y]

There are a number of old topics about this very subject. It isn't my area of expertise, but if you have a look

here

and


here. (this is a really old one [;)] )


There are some good tips here, which I still think are valid.

Others may have more recent experiences.

Nick

Thanks! I was just wondering if there was some more up-to-date information, since hand baggage restrictions have changed so much over the last few years.

I was also wondering if I had to less to worry about seeing as I'm already travelling in Upper Class ... i.e. I can see that if in E or PR you'd be running a risk of there not being room in the UC wardrobes, but do you think I have more leeway if I'm in UC?

Unless it is a monstrous meringue (in size) a garment bag in UC should work fine as hand luggage. That said, wouldn't it be better to pack it as suggested in Nick's links and send it to the hold - the UC wardrobes are fine but not designed for oversized items?

Given the issue that you may make the journey with your hand baggage but not your hold bags, I would try and pack it so it can be stowed in the UC wardrobe. Given that on a couple of occasions my bags did not arrive when I did (not with VS but aith *Another airline) I now always carry a business suit and accessories as hand luggage when required at the other end either that or in the next couple of days.

Good luck,

Hackneyguy

Hi ya
I travelled from London to Orlando with my ''monstrous meringue'' lol lol back in 2007. There was no way I was going to put my dress in the hold and a good friend of my told me about the empty box company.
http://www.emptybox.co.uk/products_travel.asp
They sell specialised travel boxes for wedding dresses in really beautiful designs. I actually have kept mine in the same box since we got back. They are to the exact maxiumum measurements allowed on board.
I agonised over this for months before the wedding but on the actual day it went like a dream. As others have mentioned it will class as your 1 piece of hand luggage. This was no a problem for me as my Hubby never takes any so my handbag was theoretically his that day LOL. The box was really heavy but I would not let anyone else carry it (yes I was one of THOSE brides [:X]).
Once on board cabin crew were fantastic and immediately took the box away (I believe to the little waredrobe) to stow for me. They even let me check on it during the flight [ii]. Once we landed they brought it right over and of course it was safe and sound. All in all Virgin were fantastic about it.
If I can help any more please let me know [:D]
Oh and CONGRATS on your up and coming wedding [y]

Just wanted to add I did need my dress steamed once in Orlando. I had it done the day before the wedding.
and
I was travelling Upper like yourself. I don't know if they would stow a PE or Econ pax dress.

Thanks everyone!

I'm with you there Nemmie ... there's no way I'd feel comfortable with my dress going into the abyss of the hold baggage! Never mind the hassle if my dress went missing that close to the wedding - I just couldn't imagine leaving something that expensive out of my sight!

I think I'll go ahead with taking it onboard, but I think I'll put it in a box rather than a garment bag - might be easier to handle, and I'll probably need it pressed when I arrive in London anyway. Thanks very much for the link Nemmie.

Thanks everyone for helping me work this through in my head!

You are most welcome. I am guessing you live in Chicago (bright spark aren't I LOL)so whilst I don't know of any, I am sure that a USA based company would do a simular thing to save you on the shipping costs. Try your bridal store they may know of somewhere. Also I had my bridal store fold and pack my dress for me which really helped.
Of course the dress is one of the most important factors of your wedding but try not to stress too much about getting it here. You are in great hands with Virgin

take it onboard, even if you are in economy or PE. it baffles me when people check bags in and ask for a fragile sticker to be put on the case.. as if that's gonna make any difference! I know what loaders are like, they do not care, so take it with you and have peace of mind.

quote:Originally posted by Lizz
take it onboard, even if you are in economy or PE....


Sorry? So what are you saying that the OP should do when she is told at check-in, that it is too big to carry on board?
Ignore the agent and run through security with it under her arm, or just hope no one notices? [;)]

Nick