I have always carried a Tenor banjo in a hard case onto the plane and stored it in the overhead bin with no problem. I always try to be among the first boarders so as I can get a empty bin. I only once had trouble and that was with Air France but after I advised them on handy hints on how to run an airline they let me carry it on. but as you probably know Air France and the British costomer do not always see eye to eye Cheers Bill