We flew to Guernsey this summer with the band and we were allowed to take on all our instruments (including a fiddle as hand luggage in addition to ordinary hand luggage for no extra cost....and the plane was full. We took a gamble and only asked when we got to Gatwick but it was fine and the check in people were surprised we thought there might be problem . So if the worst comes to the worst your friend could fly via the channel islands!!!!!

Cheers

Sarah

PS took my pipes on board in the case with my flute tucked inside