How to take a Wedding Dress on a Plane

If you are eloping you may be traveling to your wedding location! As an elopement photographer, 90% of our couples fly or road trip to their elopement. Traveling for your elopement is a little different than traveling for a typically trip as you have a few important things with you that you do not normally have.

In this blog you will find tips and information about flying with your wedding dress and other important things to consider in your travels.

Before traveling with your wedding dress, it is important to consider what type of dress you are getting. There are specific elements to eloping that may effect your dress choice. Just like if you have to travel via airplane it may effect the type of dress you get.

I highly recommend reviewing our blog on The Best Elopement Wedding Dresses before purchasing your dress to see where to shop, things to consider and more tips!

(P.S. – To be the most helpful, this blog does include a few affiliate links for items you may need during travel)

Airline Policies to know when Flying with your Wedding Dress

Delta’s Dress Policy

Your beautiful gown counts as one of your carry-on items on Delta flights. While closet space might tempt you, remember it’s primarily reserved for medical devices and wheelchairs. Your dress needs to fit into a bag sized: 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

Alaska Airlines

“Follow these steps if you choose to carry your dress onboard the aircraft, which Alaska Airlines strongly recommends. If there is room, the flight attendants may offer to hang your dress in an onboard closet, but keep in mind that space is limited. Have confidence in traveling with your gown – if you follow these instructions, your gown will be perfectly safe for the duration of your flight.” – Alaska Airlines

Your bag must be 22 in x 14 in x 9 or smaller and fit overhead or under your seat.

Flying United with your Dress

Dreaming of stress-free dress transport? United Airlines shines with their wedding dress wisdom. Their planes feature hanging closets – perfect for keeping your gown wrinkle-free at 30,000 feet! Just remember those magic numbers: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (23 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm), wheels and handles included.

Southwest Carry On Info

“We recommend that you carry on your wedding gown assuming it can fit into a garment bag that fits our carryon bag dimensions of 24” (L) + 16” (W) + 10” (H). We do not have closets onboard for usage, so garment bags must be stored in an overhead bin. “ – Southwest

American’s Easy Guidelines

“You’re allowed to bring 1 personal item (like a handbag or laptop) and 1 carry-on into the plane. Carry-on bags shouldn’t be any larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters (including handles and wheels). When you get on the plane, your items should fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.” – American Airlines

Here’s your handy size guide across the friendly skies:

Airline	Length	Width	Height
Delta	22″	14″	9″
Alaska	22″	14″	9″
United	22″	14″	9″
Southwest	24″	16″	10″
American	22″	14″	9″

Ready for the smoothest dress journey possible? Call your chosen airline beforehand if you have questions or concerns- they’ll love helping you plan this special part of your adventure. Pack your dress in a travel bag that fits these measurements, and you’re ready to soar toward your big day!

When it comes to international travel you need to check the airline’s requirements, but also the general requirements for that country when it comes to air travel. For example, when we flew to New Zealand we had to re-arrange all of our bags because the airline info was different than what the general airport/country’s restrictions were.

Preparing Your Dress for Air Travel

Remember that magical moment when you first tried on your wedding dress? Turn that stoke into care when it comes to preparing to fly with your dress.

Your Dress Deserves First-Class Treatment

Just like you wouldn’t leave your hiking gear to chance on a mountain expedition, your wedding dress needs special care. Keep your precious gown close – always choose carry-on over checked baggage. Here’s why your dress belongs by your side:

Why you need to carry your wedding dress on

• You can keep an eye on it at all times, no chance it will get lost!!!
• Safe from rough baggage adventures
• Less steps within the travel experience for your dress to go through
• Smooth out wrinkles before they settle in

Finding the Perfect Travel Garment Bag for your Wedding Dress

Like choosing the perfect campsite, picking the right garment bag makes all the difference. Here’s what space you’re working with:

Measurement Type	Standard Size	Maximum Size
Length	22 inches	24 inches
Width	14 inches	16 inches
Height	9 inches	10 inches

Your ideal garment bag should feel like a cozy cabin for your dress. Look for:

1. Sturdy Protection
   • Weather-ready exterior
   • Fresh-air-friendly fabric
   • Rock-solid zippers and handles
2. Smart Design
   • Hidden treasure pockets for accessories like your wedding day jewelry, veil and so forth
   • Reliable hanging system
   • Gentle hug from compression straps

Before your journey begins, double-check those measurements to make sure your dress will fit, but also that it will pass the size requirements for your flight. Remember those handles and wheels count too! This tiny detail can save you from unexpected surprises at the gate.

Still looking for the right bag?? Check out our recommendations here:

• Heavy Duty Premium Bag (can fit a dress + a suit)
• Classy, stylish Duffle Bag option (works for a dress or a suit)
• Cute Bridal Bag, easy for carry

Storing your dress during flight

The moment we board the plane, our wedding dress’s safety becomes our biggest concern. Let’s look at the best ways to protect our precious gown during the flight.

Overhead Bin Storage Methods

When using overhead storage lay your dress flat and make sure nothing is put on top of your dress bag.

You may be able to store the dress at your feet under the seat, depending on the type of carry on bag you purchase to carry your dress in.

Pro tip: Keep your dress in the bin right above your seat, we recommend a first class or priority ticket so you can board the flight as early as possible to get the most storage options.

Storing your wedding dress in onboard closets

Different airlines offer varying closet space options for wedding dresses:

Airline	Closet Availability
United	Yes
Alaska	Limited
Delta	Limited
Southwest	No
American	Limited

United Airlines stands out by offering dedicated hanging space, making it a great choice to transport dresses. Delta and Alaska have closets too, but they can’t guarantee space since these areas are reserved for assistive devices.

Working with Flight Attendants

Flight attendants are a great way to get help protecting our wedding dress. Here’s how to make the most of their assistance:

• Communication Tips:
  • Greet them warmly upon boarding
  • Tell them about your wedding dress
  • Ask about storage options
  • Thank them for their help

Important Note: Flight crews want to help but must follow airline rules and safety guidelines. They’ll help find alternatives if closet space isn’t available.

It’s worth mentioning that flight attendants handle many special requests each day. A patient and understanding approach usually gets better results. Even airlines without closets, like Southwest, have staff who often suggest helpful ways to protect dresses during flights.

What to do after your flight with Dress

Arriving at our destination is just the start of our wedding dress care experience. We needed to focus on keeping our gown in perfect condition until the big day.

The dress needs proper storage space once you reach your accommodation. A cool, dry area away from direct sunlight works best. You can hang the dress in a bathroom while running a hot shower to release minor wrinkles naturally.

To take good care until the wedding day:

• Hang the dress up in a temperature-controlled room (be sure to hang the dress from the hanger straps and not the dresses actual straps)
• Keep it raised off the ground
• Avoid storing near heating vents or windows
• Maintain the dress in its protective covering
• Steam the dress

If you need to steam your dress this is the perfect travel steamer or you could go with a more cost effective steamer that still travels well.

In the event that you need more help with your dress upon arrival, I recommend reaching out to your photographer (hey there!!!) to see if they have an local recommendations.