Travelling Through Heathrow What to expect from security protocols and procedures while travelling through Heathrow airport with your musical instrument. Last updated: 27 April 2026 Following the MU contacting Heathrow to address the previous mishandling of instruments by security staff, musicians travelling with instruments can now expect the airport to treat musical equipment with more care. Heathrow have agreed to act in accordance with the below agreement: We welcome many professional musicians and performers through our airport, and we understand that your instruments and equipment are essential to your work and often of high personal and financial value. Please be aware that all items, including musical instruments, are subject to security screening in accordance with UK aviation regulations. However, our security team is trained to handle such items with care and sensitivity. If your instrument cannot safely pass through the scanner, our team will ask you to handle, open and close the case yourself for supervised inspection wherever possible. If you need to be screened, we will take possession of the cased item until this has been completed Our staff will treat your equipment with the utmost care and respect. We will minimise handling wherever possible. We aim to work with you to complete the screening process efficiently while safeguarding your instrument. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. Your support helps us maintain a safe and smooth journey for all passengers. Let us know if you experience issues travelling through Heathrow Heathrow has advised any members to raise concerns through their formal reporting channels. If you experience any difficulties moving your instrument through Heathrow, please: 1. Submit a complaint via Heathrow's online feedback form. Include your full name, contact details, date of travel, flight number and terminal See Heathrow's complaints policy for more information and other ways to submit a complaint 2. Email Dave Webster, MU Head of International, with the details of your submitted complaint. This is so we can keep track of issues as they occur.