Rhiannon Hendricks
Flying with a wedding dress can be a stressful experience, but with some planning, you can ensure your gown arrives safely and in perfect condition. United Airlines recommends carrying your wedding dress as a carry-on item, rather than checking it in, and their planes usually have a hanging closet where you can store your dress. If there is no closet or if it is full, you can ask the flight attendant to hang it in the front closet or lay it flat in the overhead compartment. To be extra careful, you can purchase an extra seat for your dress, or pack it in a carry-on bag that fits the size requirements. It's also a good idea to bring a travel-friendly steam iron or fabric steamer to release any wrinkles when you arrive at your destination.
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What You'll Learn
United Airlines' hanging closet
If you're planning to travel with a wedding dress on a United Airlines flight, you may be concerned about how to keep it safe and wrinkle-free. United Airlines recommends carrying any fragile items with you, rather than checking them in. This includes "garment bags not designed for travel", which they will accept as carry-ons.
United Airlines planes do have closets where you can hang your wedding dress. However, these are usually reserved for first/business class passengers and crew luggage. It's best to ask the flight attendants nicely to hang your dress in the closet, and let them know that it's a wedding dress so that they can take extra care. It's also a good idea to board early, as the closets may fill up.
If you are unable to hang your dress in the closet, there are other options. You can lay the dress flat over bags in the overhead storage, or purchase an extra seat for it. If you choose to do this, you will need to fasten the seatbelt over the dress to keep it secure during the flight.
It's important to note that there is a chance your dress may get wrinkled during the flight, no matter how carefully you store it. To avoid any last-minute surprises, consider bringing a fabric steamer with you or contacting your destination about steaming options.
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Packing tips
- Keep your wedding dress separate from your other clothing. This way, it won’t get squished, and it will stay clean and protected.
- Place your dress in a good-quality garment bag. You can use the bag that the dress came in, or you can purchase a sturdy garment bag to pack it in. Ensure the bag is suitable for travel.
- If you are using a hanger, make sure the hanger straps are on the clothing hanger and loop them around to distribute the weight.
- If your dress has a bodice with boning, take care not to roll this part of the dress.
- When folding your dress into a carry-on bag, place the middle of the garment inside, then fold the top and bottom over to create a three-fold.
- Write your personal information (name, phone number, email, and a local address) on or inside the garment bag.
- Pack a travel-friendly steam iron, a sewing kit, safety pins, and a trusty stain remover.
- If you are checking in other luggage, put a tracking device (like an AirTag) inside your suitcase so you can monitor it.
- If you are driving to the airport, lay your dress flat in the backseat, as heat can cause discolouration.
- Arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security checks, especially if you are carrying a large or delicate dress.
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Navigating the airport
When it comes to transporting your dress through the airport, it is best to keep it with you at all times. You can carry your dress in a garment bag, which will keep it protected and many bridal shops offer these. If your dress came with its own bag, consider investing in a high-quality garment bag that you can use again for special outfits. Opt for a larger size to accommodate your dress comfortably, a 72-inch bag, for example, will fit even the puffiest of dresses and its train.
United Airlines recommends carrying your wedding dress as a carry-on item rather than checking it in. They advise against checking in fragile items, and wedding gowns fall into this category. You can also call the airline ahead of time to double-check their advice and any specific requirements they may have.
It is also worth noting that you may receive congratulations and well-wishes from people in the airport, as some brides have reported experiencing this pleasant surprise while navigating the airport with their wedding dress. So, while transporting your dress may be a nerve-wracking experience, it can also bring some unexpected joy to your journey!
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Post-flight care
Even with all the careful planning, your wedding dress might still arrive with a few wrinkles. If this happens, you can use a hand steamer to get it looking perfect for your big day. You can also contact your destination site about steaming options.
If you are unable to get rid of the wrinkles, a dry cleaner can press your dress for you. It is a good idea to line up a dry cleaner before your flight so that they are expecting your dress and can press it within your required timeframe.
If you are flying with United Airlines, you can store your dress in the hanging closet, which ensures it won't get jostled during the flight or cramped in an overhead bin.
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Arrive early
Arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security checks, especially if you’re carrying a large or delicate wedding dress. This gives you peace of mind that you’ll be able to manage your dress properly. If you arrive early, you can also request the flight attendants to hang your dress in a special closet onboard. While some airlines like United Airlines and Delta Air Lines do offer hanging closets, others like JetBlue Airways do not. So, if you are travelling with an airline that does not have hanging closets, arriving early will give you enough time to plan how to store your dress. You can lay your dress flat in the overhead compartment, store it underneath the seat in front of you, or purchase an extra seat for the dress. If you arrive early, you can also board early and place your dress in the overhead bin before other passengers start storing their luggage.
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Frequently asked questions
United Airlines recommends carrying your wedding dress onto the plane as a carry-on item. They advise against checking in fragile items like wedding gowns. If there is a closet on the plane, you can ask the flight attendant to hang it there. If not, you can lay your dress flat in the overhead compartment.
Place your wedding dress in a garment bag. You can buy travel-friendly garment bags from bridal shops or Amazon. If you don't have a garment bag, you can roll up your dress and put it in a carry-on bag.
Arrive at the airport early to allow extra time for security checks, especially if you have a large or delicate dress. You may want to bring a travel steamer or iron to remove any wrinkles from your dress when you arrive.
